          A checklist of some basic work to be accomplished 
          by an Executor, Administrator, or Successor Trustee 
 
 
BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS: 
 
A major factor to be considered is that in this type of a 
situation, great stress and intimidation play a large role; stress

by the gravity of the situation and intimidation possibly by a 
mortuary environment.  Proper estate and burial planning by the 
decedent can greatly ease what may otherwise be a very traumatic,

complex, and expensive ordeal.  Social security or veterans 
benefits are sometimes involved in making burial arrangements. 
 
 
FAMILY CONFERENCE: 
 
If appropriate, schedule a family conference at which all 
interested parties may be advised of the facts available and 
exchange information and ideas about the handling of the estate. 

Discretion should be used as to how many meetings to hold, who 
attends, what is discussed, and what is done.  Topics of discussion

should be determined in advance and adhered to. 
 
 
COLLECTION AND PROTECTION OF PROPERTY: 
 
Search the household, make an inventory of all personal property,

and arrange for storage and protection of personal property, if 
appropriate. 
 
 
COPIES OF DEATH CERTIFICATE: 
 
Make numerous copies of the death certificate.  It will be needed

in many of the transactions in connection with the collection of

property and the management and/or distribution of the estate.  
Extra copies will be needed for social security, insurance claims,

bank transactions, and many other transactions. 
 
 
COPY OF WILL, if any: 
 
Make additional copies of the decedent's will, if any, for 
beneficiaries, taxing authorities, and others who may need it. 
 
 
SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES, if any: 
 
List the contents of any safety deposit boxes in the decedent's 
name.  Usually most state laws provide that certain persons, such

as tax authorities, be present when a box is opened and that an 
inventory be made of all box contents.  If you have a box in joint

name of yourself and another person it may not be necessary for the

joint owner to have tax authorities hovering around when the box

is opened. 
 
 
INSURANCE: 
 
Check insurance coverage on all of the decedent's estate, including

property, casualty, and life insurance.  Life insurance is normally

payable directly to beneficiaries.  It may be appropriate to assist

the beneficiaries in the settlement of any insurance claims. 
 
 
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF ESTATE PROPERTY: 
 
Make a preliminary estimate of the decedent's estate to determine

whether or not the "no probate" provisions of statutes prevail. 
 
 
EMPLOYER BENEFITS, SALARY, BONUSES, 
PENSION and PROFIT SHARING PLANS, etc.: 
 
Contact the employer to learn as much as possible about everything

to which the decedent's surviving spouse and family has a right.

 
 
SOCIAL SECURITY, CIVIL SERVICE, VETERANS, and OTHER BENEFITS: 
 
Contact all branches of government or businesses from which the 
decedent's spouse might receive property or assets. 
 
 
NOTICE OF DECEASE: 
 
Give notice to all banks, savings and loan associations, credit 
unions, brokerage accounts, financial institutions, and other 
businesses where the decedent has accounts or business 
relationships.  Obtain passbooks, certificates, factual data, and

all other information about the accounts.  It may be appropriate

to give notice to family friends and business associates. 
 
 
UTILITIES, CHARGE ACCOUNTS, CREDIT CARDS, etc.: 
 
All known business activities of a decedent should be shut down as

soon as possible.  If the accounts are not to be transferred to a

surviving spouse, they should be closed immediately. 
 
 
MAIL: 
 
Notify the post office and arrange for receipt of decedent's mail. 

It is normally appropriate to also request that friends and 
business associates address mail directly to you. 
 
PERSONAL RECORDS AND TAX RETURNS: 
 
Assemble all personal records and tax returns of the decedent. 
 
 
GOING BUSINESS: 
 
Obtain all information concerning the business and its bank 
accounts, etc. 
 
 
CLAIMS AGAINST THE ESTATE: 
 
Pay any legitimate claim immediately. 
 
 
DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE: 
 
Pay all taxes due. 
Pay all costs, expenses, fees, and administrative costs of probate.

Satisfy all claims against the estate. 
Pay family allowances. 
Satisfy specific bequests. 
Residuary distribution. 
 
 
TAX CONSIDERATIONS: 
 
Check with your state tax board for information about any specific
requirements.

Check with the federal IRS for information about any specific
requirements.

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