The following checklist provides a preliminary list of items to be considered in administering an estate.

Since estate administration can involve many difficult legal, tax, emotional or other issues, meeting with the family's professional advisers is recommended. This may include clergy, physicians, morticians, accountants and financial planners, in addition to lawyers.


Immediate Concerns At Time Of Death

1. Notify clergy.
2. Notify immediate family.
3. Provide accurate information for death certificate.
4. Decide who will make funeral arrangements.
5. Decide who will help with funeral arrangements.
6. Ascertain whether the decedent left funeral, cremation or cryogenic instructions.
7. Determine if organs are to be donated.
8. Determine if any autopsy will be performed.
   1. Malpractice?
   2. Wrongful death?
   3. Accidental death?
   4. Genetic defect?
   5. Competence?
   6. Limited?
   7. Who should perform?
9. Assist the surviving spouse, as needed.
10. Assign someone to provide care for children.

1. Obtain names and addresses of close relatives.
2. Determine who to notify of funeral arrangements.
3. Notify employer of death.
4. Secure the home.
5. Notify the decedent's lawyer.
6. Obtain deeds to burial plot or choose a cemetery.
7. Obtain military discharge certificates.
8. Consider not burying valuables.

1. Assist the surviving spouse, as needed.
2. Decide on care for the children.
3. Decide on care for dependent adults.
4. Protect perishable assets.
5. Secure the home.
6. Order death certificates (ask the funeral home).
7. Meet with decedent's lawyer to discuss estate administration.
8. Consider perpetual care for the gravesite.
9. Consider family counseling.
10. Determine disposition of ashes, if applicable.

1. Locate estate planning documents, including Wills, Living Trusts and deeds, etc.
2. Determine who is in charge.
3. List assets and date of death value.
   1. Joint assets.
   2. Probate assets.
   3. Living trusts.
   4. Insurance.
   5. Pension, profit sharing or IRA benefits.
   6. Other
4. Meet with attorney.
   1. Review all legal documents.
   2. Initiate probate if necessary including appointment of fiduciary.
   3. Obtain written fee and work arrangements.
5. Apply for benefits.
6. Protect assets, including pets and plants.
7. Secure the residence.
8. Secure the business.
9. Consider need for appraisals.
10. Notify Social Security.

1. Assure family has immediate cash
2. Keep track of all assets, debts, income and expenses.
3. Consider causes of action estate may have.
4. List debts.
5. Pay bills, but only after authority is obtained.
6. Prepare a budget.
7. Terminate home deliveries.
8. Reroute mail delivery.
9. Obtain access to safe deposit boxes.
10. Instruct bank to honor decedent's redeath checks.
11. Advise those with power of attorney for decedent that it has terminated.

1. Review survivor's estate plan.
2. Confirm survivor's insurance is adequate.
3. File income tax returns for the decedent.
4. File federal estate tax return.
5. File state estate tax return or certificate of no tax.
6. Close probate.
7. File estate income tax returns.

Contact one of our attorneys for additional information about estate administration.