Authority and records
- Locate original will, trust, amendments, and court documents.
- Track certified death certificates and institutional requirements.
- Maintain a contact list and communication log.
Estate discovery
- Inventory financial accounts, real estate, vehicles, business interests, insurance, valuables, refunds, claims, and digital property.
- Record ownership, beneficiaries, approximate values, and status.
- Inventory debts, secured obligations, taxes, bills, liens, and creditor notices.
Administration
- Keep estate money and personal money clearly separated where a separate estate account is appropriate.
- Preserve receipts, reimbursements, transfers, distributions, and valuation records.
- Calendar court, tax, creditor, insurance, and professional follow-ups.
Closure
Before considering the matter finished, reconcile unresolved claims, taxes, distributions, property transfers, account closures, records retention, and any required court or beneficiary accounting.
Important: This guide is organizational education, not legal, tax, medical, financial, or fiduciary advice. State law, ownership, family circumstances, court rules, and deadlines can change what applies.
Primary resources
USAGov — certified death certificatesUSAGov — agencies to notify after a deathIRS — deceased person tax guidanceFTC — Funeral RuleSocial Security — what to do when someone diesTurn the guide into a working case
Use AfterLoss to personalize tasks, track contacts, documents, assets, debts, provider quotes and follow-ups, then generate a professional handoff report.
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