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1 - If out of country death, speak with Bureau of Consular Affairs and obtain legal representative.
2 - Identify the two funeral homes involved and establish contacts at each.
3 - Obtain required paperwork for transport of the body. (e.g. Death Certificate)
4 - Ensure appropriate State regulations are followed for the States involved (e.g. embalming)
5 - Determine if ground transportation is feasible, or if air will be used.
6 - Coordinate body transportation (air & ground) back to home city funeral home.
7 - Arrange for transfer from air or rail to local transport to funeral home (if required).
8 - Confirm receipt of body and required documentation at home city funeral home.
9 - Understand any religious or other customs and their impacts on related Items.
10 - Determine if the Deceased wanted to donate their body to science or a body farm.
11 - Discuss issue with spouse or other close family, and wishes. May have veto ability.
12 - Check for an organ donor card or state organ registry (Department of Public Safety or DMV).
13 - Follow-up to ensure specific organ or tissue donation executed or attempted to be executed.
14 - Obtain confirmation of donation and any other details (e.g. recipients) for future reference.
15 - Return body to family for burial. Arrange delivery to funeral home.
16 - Determine if an autopsy was requested or required. Coordinate with officials.
17 - Find and understand pre-paid funeral contracts or Funeral Insurance (aka Burial, Pre-Need).
18 - Obtain funds from pre-paid contracts and insurance policies. Determine usage of proceeds.
19 - Check for any funeral contributions from employers, organizations or retirement plans.
20 - Determine if the grave / plot or columbarium has been selected.
21 - Determine if the grave / plot or columbarium was already paid for, either fully or partially.
22 - Find any instructions confirming cremation decisions, including any religious protocols.
23 - Decision made on ashes to be interred, scattered or kept.
24 - Inform funeral home/director of cremation decision.
25 - Schedule any viewing of the deceased, if desired, before cremation.
26 - Schedule the cremation.
27 - Confirm who will witness the cremation.
28 - Confirm the cremation was completed. Deliver personal effects to survivors.
29 - Obtain the encased ashes.
30 - Decide/identify location and spread ashes (if desired final decision). (1st Option)
31 - Select & purchase an urn, ensure any religious affiliation compliance considered.
32 - Deliver ashes to family member or other person (if the final decision) (2nd Option)
33 - Send ashes to recipients via delivery service (e.g. USPS).
34 - Transport and accompany ashes on a commercial airline.
35 - If ashes are to be interred, determine the location (e.g. columbarium). (3rd Option)
36 - Reserve and pay for location for the ashes.
37 - Decide on information for plaque (e.g. Deceased name, dates, etc.)
38 - Obtain plaque for urn location and have affixed.
39 - Bury/inter ashes in the urn or other vessel in chosen location.
40 - Register columbarium details with cemetery database and online databases.
41 - Find, secure and understand any instructions confirming burial instructions/decisions.
42 - Decide and request the body be embalmed (or not).
43 - Decide on clothing & styling for body, ensure completed properly. Follow any religious protocols.
44 - Select and pay for a casket, ensure complies with any religious specifications.
45 - Decide if either a burial vault or grave liner is desired, and purchase.
46 - Select a cemetery. Options include traditional, memorial parks or religion based.
47 - Understand maintenance plans and any future required payments or fees.
48 - Choose and purchase a grave plot (or determine if already selected and/or purchased).
49 - Decide on information for headstones or plaque (e.g. name, dates, etc.).
50 - Purchase headstone, plaque or marker & accessories.
51 - Register grave details with cemetery database and online databases.
52 - Find all documents for the Deceased's wishes on content and placement for public notice.
53 - Determine if Deceased wrote or provided guidance on contents or a writer. Designate an editor.
54 - Agree and approve of obituary and other public announcement wording.
55 - Notify their place(s) of worship of their passing. (Ceremony coordination is in another item.)
56 - Determine the guest list and publish service and / or send invitations.
57 - Decide on a charity for donations in memory of the Deceased. List in publications and obituary.
58 - Create a Crowdfunding listing either for the family and expenses, or a favorite charity.
59 - Review any Crowdfunding sites created in the name of the Deceased, and ensure reputable.
60 - Publish legal notice about the Estate for creditors if probate requires it.
61 - Select Newspapers and request publication of obituary. Inform survivors of timing.
62 - Write and post online notices of their passing (e.g. Legacy.com, Facebook).
63 - Track and respond to any donations or gifts sent in honor of the deceased.
64 - Find and understand any expressed desires of deceased related to a funeral service.
65 - Identify and agree upon inclusion of any religious protocols for the service(s).
66 - Reserve the location (e.g. place of worship, residence) and time. Coordinate with clergy.
67 - Arrange for the body/casket to be transported to the location. Coordinate for graveside as well.
68 - Coordinate spiritual leader(s) (e.g. preachers, priest, clergy, minister).
69 - Request and coordinate with other speakers (e.g. family members for readings).
70 - Decide and agree on any readings or other details for the service.
71 - Request performer(s) for ceremony (e.g. singers, musicians). Decide on music.
72 - Request and confirm pallbearers participation at service venue.
73 - Determine the guest list and publish service and / or send invitations.
74 - Create a registration book for the service.
75 - Request cards (e.g. prayer cards) be made for the deceased.
76 - Decide if open or closed casket during the service.
77 - Coordinate clothing, jewelry and make-up instructions (e.g. uniforms).
78 - Order or request flowers, plants or candles for the service.
79 - Inform and schedule deliveries for recipient(s) of flowers and other items from all ceremonies.
80 - Create or provide any videos or pictures for the service.
81 - Hire a house-sitter for time of funeral (burglaries can be an issue).
82 - Complete the memorial service.
83 - Recover any items from the casket not to be buried (e.g. jewelry). Return to Estate.
84 - Execute handoff (casket, transportation, motorcade) from service to graveside.
85 - Find and understand any visitation instructions or preferences indicated by Deceased.
86 - Identify and agree upon inclusion of any religious protocols for the viewing(s).
87 - Determine if there will be multiple events (e.g. a visitation, post-Celebration of Life).
88 - Decide on venue(s) for each and reserve, contract and pay.
89 - Schedule a day(s) and time(s) for the visitation.
90 - Schedule a day(s) and time(s) for the other events.
91 - Decide if there will be a casket or urn, or no remains present at visitation.
92 - Decide if open or closed casket (if casket is to be present).
93 - Determine the guest list & invitees for all events.
94 - Send invitations, reach out to invitees or publish the invitation to the events.
95 - Decide and arrange any food, drink, music, flowers, videos, speakers or other event details.
96 - Determine and inform recipient(s) of any leftover food or flowers. Arrange/coordinate delivery.
97 - Ensure all contracts and bills related to events are paid/settled.
98 - Decide if a graveside ceremony was in deceased wishes or family preference.
99 - Include or communicate with desired invitees if contiguous with funeral.
100 - Coordinate any procession, traffic, route or police escort issues with body transport.
101 - Provide for any family travel to and from grave site.
102 - Provide for transportation of other people (if required).
103 - Request and confirm pallbearers requirement at graveside.
104 - Invite officiant or other speakers. (Possibly same as memorial service).
105 - Agree on any scriptures or other readings desired.
106 - Request presence of the pallbearers (if required)
107 - Deliver (and retrieve) any pictures, videos, memorials and flowers.
108 - Request honor guard with bugler (if veteran).
109 - Establish all possible names for the deceased for research, publications and informing.
110 - Find, understand and list all documents found at deceased's residences, storage & work.
111 - Request documents from their relatives and professional service providers. Create a list.
112 - Review for any final instructions from deceased and/or Designated Agent forms.
113 - Find and review any Healthcare Directive, Medical Directive or Living Will.
114 - Identify and establish any name changes and related court documents.
115 - Request or confirm Death Registration to County (Funeral Home should do/file).
116 - Obtain Death Certificate (Certificate of Death Abstract), at least 10 copies.
117 - Obtain a burial or cremation permit (funeral home should complete/file).
118 - Identify, notify and speak with Healthcare Proxy / HIPPA agent.
119 - Identify and deliver any personal letters for post-death distribution.
120 - Find birth certificates (of all close family members).
121 - Obtain credit reports and notify all 3 Credit Reporting Agencies. Provide Death Certificates.
122 - Find and secure income related documents and statements for the current year.
123 - Find and secure any IRS income tax returns (for the current and previous year).
124 - Find and secure any other IRS, Financial or Legal documents.
125 - Find and secure their Social Security card, or if unavailable, their Social Security number.
126 - Find, return and cancel their Passport(s).
127 - Find, notify and return driver’s license to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
128 - Make scans of documents, deliver or store for future access and identify who may need them.
129 - Shred & dispose of all other paperwork when finished.
130 - Determine if a will exists (first option)
131 - Confirm there was not a valid will. (2nd option)
132 - Review will (and amendments) for key information (e.g. assets, executor(s), beneficiaries).
133 - Decide if filing for probate is required.
134 - Establish state(s), and their laws, including UPC, will validity and intestate rules.
135 - Determine what assets will not be part of probate. (e.g. trusts, TOD, joint assets)
136 - Determine if any ancillary probates will be required. (e.g. for real estate in a 2nd state)
137 - Evaluate if a Small Estate Administration or Affidavit is available, desired and feasible.
138 - Determine if any executors (representatives, administrator) or backups were named.
139 - Deliver documents to the court, including the will, proof of death form and death certificate.
140 - Review list of beneficiaries in the will, contact each. Contact additional relatives.
141 - Determine if any minors are in the will, establish a representative.
142 - Obtain a waiver from beneficiaries for the bond and for Independent Administration.
143 - Post notice of probate in the newspaper, courthouse & any databases. May be required.
144 - Address any objections to the will or other issues.
145 - For intestate (no will), hire attorney for unknown heirs & identify disinterested witnesses.
146 - Have the will validated by court.
147 - Confirm court has authorized someone for probate process, including an administrator.
148 - Court issues Letters of Authority, Testamentary or Independent Executorship
149 - Register any trusts. May not be compulsory, varies by state.
150 - Get an EIN for the estate from the IRS. Will be required to file some tax forms.
151 - Open estate bank account. May not need to do if Executor or others had a joint account.
152 - Create estate brokerage accounts with financial planners for estate or beneficiaries.
153 - Post a Bond, unless not required or court advises not to.
154 - Collect, secure and maintain all property related to the Estate.
155 - Take inventory of all of the assets. Enlist professional help if needed.
156 - Identify and provide notice to all known creditors.
157 - Provide proof of contact and public notice for beneficiaries and creditors.
158 - Pay necessary fees and all valid claims of debts. Pay any specific bequests from the will.
159 - Close probate and submit to court, receive permission to distribute remaining assets
160 - Distribute remaining assets. Obtain receipts and file with courts to prove distribution.
161 - Pay final executor fees and expenses.
162 - Prepare and submit a final accounting of the Estate. Send to beneficiaries and creditors.
163 - Prepare and submit probate closing statement to the court.
164 - Obtain a release from duties for the Executor or Representative.
165 - Close the estate bank account.
166 - Identify the pets of the deceased, with the number and types, names, ages, etc.
167 - Find any instructions made by deceased for their wishes regarding their pet(s).
168 - Find, secure and understand any additional documents (e.g. adoption, sale, birth).
169 - Identify and contact the emergency caregiver(s) for pets.
170 - Find and secure any certified pedigree certificates (for breed/heritage proof).
171 - Establish if pet is subject to any breed specific legislation (e.g. aggressive breeds).
172 - Identify if any pets are exotics, have licensing requirements or restrictions.
173 - Find any microchips and/or identification database registries and tracking numbers.
174 - Locate and secure pets if with others / boarded, or ensure continuation until transition.
175 - Identify and cancel any in-process pet adoptions.
176 - Return any animals if they are a foster or were being cared for temporarily.
177 - Set-up allowances for day-to-day care of pet before long-term transition.
178 - Determine if the Will has a provision for pet as a beneficiary or funds for care.
179 - Identify if there is a trust for the pet(s) or other animals, or to create one.
180 - Determine disposition of any remaining funds after pet's death and where funds are to go.
181 - Notify the Veterinarian(s), obtain records, keep informed of the process and transition.
182 - Receive & transfer (to caretaker) any medical or pharma records, pharmaceuticals or OTC.
183 - Transfer pets to permanent caretaker or to designated shelter or charity if any.
184 - Identify/inform backup long-term caretaker, if specified. Possibly a shelter, foster.
185 - Continue, end or transition any dog walking services. Ensure bills are continued or paid.
186 - Continue, end or transition any pet boarding/sitting services. Settle payments.
187 - Cancel or transition any pet food delivery (e.g. Chewy, Amazon, Petco, PetSmart)
188 - Close out accounts on any pet websites (e.g. Wag!, brokers for sitting, walking etc.)
189 - Cancel/settle any accounts with Pet stores.
190 - Transition any pet products to caretaker (not in estate) (e.g. toys, carriers, supplies).
191 - Notify, settle and/or transition any other services (e.g. grooming, training).
192 - Cancel or transition any pet liability insurance (in case they do any damage).
193 - Cancel or transition any pet medical insurance (for illnesses, procedures, etc.)
194 - Find and review all information on their family, friends, associates & beneficiaries.
195 - Obtain names and contact information of closest family (all heirs) and friends.
196 - Create chart with current and former spouse(s), parents, children, grandchildren.
197 - Build a master list with everyone involved with contact information, especially relatives.
198 - Find and communicate the deceased's passing to master list with their beneficiary status.
199 - Refer family and friends to grieving support & counselors.
200 - Review the Will and/or State laws to identify beneficiaries.
201 - Ensure no specific disinheritance language exists, and determine any impact or legal validity.
202 - Contact all beneficiaries listed/identified. Determine for each if direct or an alternate.
203 - Determine if there is a provision for a residuary beneficiary and if yes, identify.
204 - Determine if any beneficiaries are bankrupt. Understand court and creditor issues.
205 - Identify and pay any family allowances from estate (e.g. divorce, child support).
206 - Find and understand all details of marriages, divorces and domestic partnerships.
207 - Understand if State(s) uses community property or common law, plus other legal concerns.
208 - Identify if there is a surviving spouse.
209 - Find and resolve any community property agreements (splits without an official divorce).
210 - Find and understand any survivorship agreements.
211 - Determine if there was a simultaneous death issue.
212 - Identify any past marriages, ex-spouses (if alive/remarried), and timing and resolutions.
213 - Confirm any unmarried partners, LGBT, common law, other similar issues. Determine impacts.
214 - Confirm marriage licenses or certificate information, include prior ones.
215 - Obtain, confirm and review any Domestic Partnership Registration and/or agreements.
216 - Find and review any nuptial agreements (e.g. pre-nuptials). Determine validity and impacts.
217 - Identify and resolve any divorce issues and documentation (e.g. property settlements).
218 - Identify and settle any alimony / spousal support. Determine estate's liability.
219 - Confirm spouse(s) were US citizens, and if not review tax and other issues (e.g. QDOT).
220 - Obtain and review all documents on children and dependents. Review for guardian decisions.
221 - Determine who all of their children and dependents are, and key information on each.
222 - For adopted or foster children, find court documents and notify agencies if required.
223 - For children living with them, determine any custody/living changes (i.e. single parent).
224 - For minors, establish guardians for day-to-day needs of children and their finances/support.
225 - Confirm and/or establish long-term guardians for any minor children or dependents.
226 - Find and decide to continue any daycare/childcare services or transfer to new caretaker.
227 - Identify any disinheritance issues with any children. Understand the State laws.
228 - Determine if any children or dependents are not US citizens, and understand impacts.
229 - Establish who and how any property conveyed to children will be managed (e.g. trusts).
230 - Identify any child support in place, including documents, payments and how they worked.
231 - Ensure no other family allowances from estate. Obtain any recipients and amounts.
232 - Notify schools (K-12, colleges) of any children. Pay balances owed and arrange for continuity.
233 - Notify any car pools and children's key friends' parents.
234 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information for any special needs children.
235 - Identify any special needs dependents or children, and details of needs and situations.
236 - Ensure special needs children & dependents receive proper benefits (e.g. long-term care).
237 - Confirm chosen guardian has been notified and is ready to take over the role.
238 - Establish proper caretaker or professionals, or transition to new interface.
239 - Ensure any SSI (Supplemental Security Income) continues after Deceased's death.
240 - Ensure that they receive any SSDI (Social Security Disability Income).
241 - Confirm continuation of any State level disabled support benefits.
242 - Confirm continuation of any Local (County, City, Town) level disabled support benefits.
243 - Confirm continuation of any charity disabled support benefits.
244 - Find/create a trust for special needs children or dependents (if requested or needed).
245 - Communicate medication, health instruction or medical provider information to new caregivers.
246 - Transfer medical support items or devices and documentation to new caregivers.
247 - Determine if any professional clean up is necessary where the Deceased passed.
248 - Find & understand all documents and information on legal & accounting professionals.
249 - Identify and obtain contact information for key professionals.
250 - Identify Executor or Representative choice. Contact them for coordination.
251 - Contact Attorney, determine roles and activities they played. Determine if the Estate Attorney.
252 - Contact Accountant or CPA, determine what roles and activities they played.
253 - Find any Calendars of the deceased and cancel all of their appointments.
254 - Determine Estate Solvency by comparing estate assets to debt.
255 - Establish where they lived, and with who, who paid what, and whose names are on any lease.
256 - If they lived with others, notify and discuss how to transition and remove belongings.
257 - Confirm they only had a single residence, or identify locations if there are multiple.
258 - Find, secure, understand all documents related to lease or rent of real estate from others.
259 - Ensure any leases or commitments are terminated or scheduled to be.
260 - Notify Landlord(s) and discuss how to end the lease and clean out belongings. (if applicable)
261 - Stop any automatic rental payments (home, apartment, assisted living or nursing home).
262 - Stop any additional rental payments (e.g. group rental agreements, 3rd party, etc.)
263 - Ask local Police to periodically check on property if Deceased lived by themselves.
264 - Ensure all belongings requiring removal are distributed or relocated.
265 - Ensure any required repairs or cleaning to rentals are completed.
266 - Close out and exit property, returning all keys and complete a final walk-through.
267 - Recover any security deposits or buy-in fees for apartments, assisted living or other rentals.
268 - Find, secure, understand all documents related to real estate holdings and investments.
269 - Establish if they owned their primary residence. Confirm status, identify any co-owners.
270 - Identify additional real estate investments and participation. Create a master tracking list.
271 - Review all properties. Search for concerns/risks (environmental, zoning, code issues).
272 - Change any locks or security codes to ensure that only authorized people have access.
273 - Identify if any property has additional owners or liens, or was held jointly with Deceased.
274 - Check for any TOD (Transfer on Death) Real Estate. Review for feasibility then execute.
275 - Determine if there is any real estate inside of any trusts. Take any required action if needed.
276 - Find, research and build the cost basis for the properties and find any related documents.
277 - Establish any Tenancy by Entirety (jointly owned property, passes to spouse if other dies).
278 - Determine if any real estate will be gifted to children. Resolve tax or documentation issues.
279 - Hire handyman for repairs and/or professional stager to clean up house for appraisal/tours.
280 - Find any real estate appraisals, or if none exist, have completed if needed.
281 - Review any rental agreements and decide to continue or terminate. Notify renters.
282 - Notify and transfer any rental contract for renters of deceased-owned property.
283 - Notify and reconcile any dues with neighborhood, HOA or condo association(s).
284 - Schedule to continue to pay any mortgages or other expenses during the process.
285 - Hire real estate broker or agent (if selling the property). Work with them to close the sale.
286 - Determine if property is being passed to family. Establish the rules and assign payments.
287 - Sell or transfer ownership of any additional land properties.
288 - Identify or transfer any titles for home(s). Confirm not encumbered (mortgage, liens).
289 - For any real estate partnerships, sell or transfer ownership. Review/decide on options.
290 - Find any property tax records and statements (if not included in mortgage).
291 - File and pay any taxes on property (eg: ad valorem on personal property).
292 - Find, transfer or sell any timeshares, fractional ownership or vacation / holiday clubs.
293 - Find all security related information and devices / items (e.g. keys).
294 - Obtain and change keys / locks and codes for doors to any residences or other sites.
295 - Identify and record any home security services & passcodes (e.g. alarm companies).
296 - Obtain (and change if needed) any keys or codes for safes & locks (e.g. wall safe, bicycle).
297 - Extract and delete all passwords or encryption retained on devices or software.
298 - Obtain passwords to access other electronic devices (e.g. mobile phones PCs, tablets).
299 - Obtain passwords to any LAN(s) or Wifi(s). Shut down if required and return or retain hardware.
300 - Identify, obtain (and transfer, change or delete) passwords to online websites.
301 - Identify who lived with them, percent of time, their roles, where in home and how long.
302 - Review any documentation from the deceased and discuss with family and/or friends.
303 - Understand related laws regarding contracts and residential rights.
304 - Discuss the situation with assistants, their understanding and obtain any written materials.
305 - Obtain an inventory of property (e.g. furniture) in residence, including that of assistant(s).
306 - Decide if, when the assistant will leave residence, and what transition plan or timing.
307 - If they are to remain or acquire the residence, create a plan and documentation to facilitate.
308 - Eliminate any confusion between assistant's property and Estate's, particularly upon departure.
309 - Monitor & confirm departure of assistant with their property. Obtain keys or security devices.
310 - Change locks and security codes. Inform any HOA or any management of departure.
311 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information related to their last employer.
312 - Identify employer and notify their Human Resources department and direct supervisor.
313 - Coordinate with Human Resources (or other group) for close out process
314 - Request the Employer EIN (Employer Identification Number).
315 - Obtain personal effects from their office area or others under company control (e.g. storage).
316 - Return all company assets (e.g. laptops, keys/badges, phones, vehicles or other equipment).
317 - Ensure all company information (data, reports, etc.) is returned.
318 - Confirm there were no wage garnishments, and reconcile if there were.
319 - Calculate and collect any wages owed from employer.
320 - Notify and close employer health plan.
321 - Identify and collect any commissions owed deceased.
322 - Calculate and collect any vacation compensation owed, if policy allows.
323 - Identify and collect any expenses owed (e.g. travel).
324 - Identify and resolve any loans or other debts owed to Employer.
325 - Identify and obtain any life insurance proceeds provided by an employer.
326 - Find and obtain any corporate benefits, death benefits or future pension information.
327 - Investigate any federal or other government employment benefits. Obtain if feasible.
328 - Identify and collect any other miscellaneous items or amounts owed.
329 - Recover or transfer any 401k or other plans (403(b), 457).
330 - Recover deferred compensation outside of stock options, profit-sharing and pensions.
331 - Recover proceeds from any profit-sharing plans.
332 - Recover value from warrants or other stock option type items
333 - Review and recover any value from employer/retirement benefit (pension) plans.
334 - Find, secure, and understand all documents and information regarding taxes and filings.
335 - Contact CPA/Accountant(s) to request past 3 years of tax filings and support documents.
336 - Review information, if documentation not available, request records and transcripts.
337 - Determine responsible party to file and pay each return. Confirm court approvals if required.
338 - File Form 2848 Power of Attorney for CPA to contact IRS. (possibly more than one)
339 - Ensure IRS Form 56 is filed to confirm Personal Representative and any trustee changes.
340 - Track down all income and sources for Deceased. Collect all current/prior year receipts.
341 - Obtain or create an EIN for Estate and any new trusts with the IRS.
342 - Contact State agencies to confirm inheritance filings, with forms to file and deadlines.
343 - Obtain appraisals of all real property as of the date of death to establish new cost basis.
344 - Obtain brokerage statements at date of death with valuation of securities for new cost basis.
345 - Obtain qualified appraisals of personal property held, if of significant value.
346 - Obtain qualified valuations of any business interests owned to establish new basis of holdings.
347 - Prepare and file extensions for Federal and State(s) individual income tax returns.
348 - Prepare and file extensions for Federal and State(s) Estate and Trust income tax returns.
349 - Complete and file Federal Individual Income Tax Return (1040) for last calendar year.
350 - Complete and file State Personal Income Tax Return(s) (pre-death income items).
351 - Obtain IRS gift tax returns (Form 709 for all prior years). This is also the GSTT form.
352 - Determine if there are any GSTT (Generation Skipping Transfer Tax) issues.
353 - Determine if required, and if so, file Federal Gift Tax return (Form 709).
354 - Determine if required, and if so, file State Gift Tax returns.
355 - Identify and address issues regarding any foreign accounts that are part of the Estate.
356 - Complete and file Federal Estate Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts. (Form 1041).
357 - Complete and file State Estate Income Tax Return(s) (post-death income items).
358 - Complete and file Federal Trust Income Tax Returns (Form 1041).
359 - Complete and file State Trusts (Income) Tax Return.
360 - Consider election of estate tax year combining Estate and Trust tax filings (Form 8855).
361 - Prepare & file extensions for Federal and state(s) Estate Tax returns.
362 - Complete and file Federal Estate Tax Return (Form 706), if required.
363 - Complete and file State Estate Tax Return, if required.
364 - Complete reporting of property to the IRS (Form 8971) within 30 days of filing Form 706.
365 - File Form 4810 for a prompt assessment and Form 5495 for discharge from personal liability.
366 - Obtain Tax Inheritance discount for early payment (only in a few states).
367 - Complete and file any needed State Inheritance Tax Return.
368 - Identify and pay any other taxes & fees to the City or Town government(s).
369 - Identify and pay any other taxes & fees to the County government(s).
370 - Determine if there is any Medicaid Recovery Act liability.
371 - File Form 4422 to release liens for real estate sales.
372 - Request IRS transcript for Form 706 filing using Form 4506-T.
373 - Obtain Estate Tax (Closing) Letters for Federal and the State(s).
374 - File Form 56, and any state equivalents, for discharge from personal representative role.
375 - Find, secure, understand all documents on prior Power of Attorney decisions and details.
376 - Understand who had any Power of Attorney given. Determine scope and actions taken.
377 - Notify and reach out to anyone who had Power of Attorney and obtain any relevant documents.
378 - Provide Executor Representative with documents. Affirm their authority in all future matters.
379 - Conduct a full Asset Search and UCC filings, including real estate.
380 - Find, secure, understand all documents about the crime related to their death.
381 - Obtain belongings, money or other items from hospital, home, ambulance or police (at scene).
382 - Discuss with any lawyers assigned to the case (e.g. Prosecutor, District Attorney).
383 - Review impact on the estate, particularly if any beneficiaries are known or suspected.
384 - If crime scene was on deceased property, coordinate the crime scene clean-up activities.
385 - Investigate any crime victim compensation available (e.g. State Agencies).
386 - Find and secure all documents regarding country of birth, past foreign citizenships and Visas.
387 - Determine country of birth and if the deceased had any dual citizenships.
388 - Obtain any immigration and/or alien registration papers / Visa. Notify the State Department.
389 - Find any immigration status if still in the courts or in process for consideration.
390 - Review any issues with spouses and children who are not citizens to qualify for citizenship.
391 - Request any foreign citizenship documentation and numbers. Notify any foreign governments.
392 - Determine country of birth and citizenship or Visa status for all spouses and children.
393 - Review any potential issues in resolving affairs due to citizenship or related issues.
394 - Find and understand all information regarding on-going or potential legal issues.
395 - Find their lawyer(s), law firms or legal advisor (e.g. friend). (if they had any)
396 - Contact their lawyers/law firm to understand current and potential issues (if any).
397 - Ask friends, family, co-workers, professional services about current/potential legal issues.
398 - Consult an attorney to see if there is possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit.
399 - Identify any on-going litigation where Deceased was a plaintiff. Forecast/recover compensation.
400 - Identify any on-going litigation where Deceased was a defendant. Forecast impacts.
401 - Identify any potential litigation with Deceased as a plaintiff. Forecast expectations.
402 - Identify any potential litigation with Deceased as the defendant. Forecast expectations.
403 - Identify any criminal litigation related to the Deceased, and potential estate impacts.
404 - Identify any pending criminal actions or cases regarding others with a possible impact.
405 - Identify potential class action litigation with Deceased as a plaintiff. Forecast expectations.
406 - Identify on-going class action litigation with Deceased as plaintiff. Forecast expectations.
407 - Identify any past settlements not yet paid out and impacts of passing on future compensation.
408 - Obtain belongings or other items from hospital, home, ambulance or police.
409 - Find, secure, understand all documents on renting/leasing real estate from others.
410 - Identify any dwellings, storage or other locations where physical goods are stored.
411 - Find and return any loaned items. Identify and contact the owners for return.
412 - Find and recover any consigned (or pawned) or borrowed items of the deceased.
413 - Find and recover any assigned or loaned out items (e.g. to museums, schools).
414 - Find and dispose of any soon to be perishable products (e.g. food items)
415 - Find & secure any cash or currency. Log into the estate for disbursement.
416 - Secure, store & distribute photos (family), videos and ancestry materials.
417 - Find, pay and return any equipment rentals.
418 - Find, pay and return any home furnishing rentals.
419 - Complete/contract appraisals for higher value items, or lots of other items.
420 - Find, delete and destroy any adult or illegal/controversial (e.g. drugs) items.
421 - Review and decide on method to bulk sell goods (e.g. garage sale, liquidator).
422 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of antiques.
423 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of appliances.
424 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of art (high value, collectibles and consumer).
425 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of china, crystal and silver
426 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of all clothes & linens.
427 - Distribute, sell, or donate other collectibles.
428 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of consumer electronics.
429 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of furniture.
430 - Distribute, sell, donate or redeem gift cards or other awards.
431 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of jewelry.
432 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of lawn/garden (e.g. mowers, snow blowers) items.
433 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of medical & personal equipment.
434 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of sporting goods or outdoor/camping equipment.
435 - Distribute, sell, donate any sports tickets (e.g. seasons, seats).
436 - Distribute, sell, donate any theater or entertainment tickets or passes.
437 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of any tools (machine, shop, power, hand).
438 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of videos, DVDs (non-family) and books.
439 - Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of all other items not listed (e.g. kitchen items).
440 - Ensure all funds from sales, receipts from donations are logged back into the estate.
441 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding home services.
442 - Find all current and former addresses for the deceased (at least the last 10 years).
443 - Change voicemail(s) & answering machines. Create new message to inform of passing.
444 - Ask someone to answer phone, respond to voicemails/texts or forward to another number.
445 - Find, stop or transfer any subscriptions for newspapers and magazines.
446 - Find, pay then close or transfer any cable or satellite TV bill(s).
447 - Find, pay then close or transfer cellular telephone, wireless or pagers bill(s).
448 - Find, pay then close or transfer electric utility bill(s).
449 - Find, pay then close or transfer gas utility bill(s).
450 - Find, pay then close or transfer heating oil delivery bill(s).
451 - Find, pay then close or transfer home telephone bill(s).
452 - Find, pay then close or transfer internet provider bill(s).
453 - Find, pay then close or transfer lawn & garden (including sprinkler) bill(s).
454 - Find, pay then close or transfer maid or cleaning bill(s).
455 - Find, pay then close or transfer handyman or repairman bill(s).
456 - Find, pay then close or transfer other service provider bill(s) (e.g. septic, chimney, snow).
457 - Find, pay then close or transfer sewage bill(s) (if separate from water).
458 - Find, pay then close or transfer trash collection bill(s) (may be government agency).
459 - Find, pay then close or transfer water account. This could be a government agency.
460 - Find, pay then close or transfer meal providers (meals on wheels, delivery services, cooks).
461 - Cease, transfer and get credits for any cooperatives (e.g. food, electricity, etc.)
462 - Notify, liquidate or transfer any pre-paid service agreements. Recover any eligible refunds.
463 - Notify, liquidate or transfer any pre-paid warranties. Recover any eligible refunds.
464 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding any firearms.
465 - Obtain any required combinations or keys for weapon or storage security.
466 - Search for firearms or storage places, e.g. gun lockers. Gather & secure all.
467 - Understand if any firearms have state law restrictions or are fully automatic.
468 - Identify, find and secure any Firearm Licenses. Notify Government agencies.
469 - Review to see if a Gun Trust had been created.
470 - Find any replicas, inert explosives or other potentially dangerous items.
471 - Dispose of firearms and other items through transfer or sale.
472 - Arrange for disposal of any items not sold or transferred.
473 - Find, secure, understand all information regarding internet activity & accounts.
474 - Review emails, bookmarks and any PC files to help identify online accounts of Deceased.
475 - Create a Digital Legacy, include any materials the Deceased or survivors / friends requested.
476 - Identify and have access to all social media accounts.
477 - Post notice on social media. Notify groups where Deceased was an owner or active.
478 - Shut down any social media accounts to be exited. Save selected media (files, pictures).
479 - Find, save records and shut down any financial services accounts.
480 - Find, transfer funds and close online banking/finance accounts (e.g. PayPal/Venmo).
481 - Find, save files and shut down any online healthcare accounts. (doctor groups, drugs, tracking)
482 - Find and shut down eCommerce accounts or orders. Locate deliveries & stop auto-orders.
483 - Save files, and transfer or shut down any storage and file sharing (e.g. Dropbox, iCloud).
484 - Save files, and transfer or shut down any photo sharing & storage (e.g. Shutterly, Flickr).
485 - Transfer any online genealogy accounts to a family member (e.g. Ancestry.com).
486 - Redeem (or transfer) and then shut down any travel, credit card or retailer loyalty accounts.
487 - Shut down any online books accounts (e.g. Kindle, Audible, Audiobook, Apple Books).
488 - Shut down any online gaming accounts (e.g. Minecraft, Xbox, PlayStation).
489 - Shut down any online music services (e.g. Spotify, iTunes, Pandora).
490 - Shut down any online dating services (e.g. Match, eHarmony). Notify connections of passing.
491 - Shut down any video streaming and TV services (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, AT&T TV).
492 - Identify and transfer any websites they owned (e.g. GoDaddy, Newtek).
493 - Identify and transfer or shut down any hosting services (e.g. Amazon AWS, 1&1, Godaddy).
494 - Transfer or sell/auction any internet domains. Notify domain registrars (e.g. GoDaddy).
495 - Shut down or transfer accounts for real estate or asset sharing services (e.g. AirBnB, Turo).
496 - Shut down all other online accounts (e.g. job search, food delivery, pharmacy cards).
497 - Find, secure, understand and list all documents related to medical issues and providers.
498 - Find all information on their Healthcare history, examples: conditions, status, resolutions.
499 - Identify and notify their Doctors (find General Practitioner, Specialists and Dentist).
500 - Obtain, pay final and close all doctor bills & accounts.
501 - Find, notify and pay any psychiatrist and mental health support accounts.
502 - Notify & close out all other Medical services (home health, therapists, etc.). Pay final bills.
503 - Find and pay any medical laboratory bills.
504 - Pay any open hospital bills.
505 - Find and destroy all prescriptions, medicines and opened OTC medical products.
506 - Find and cancel all prescriptions, medicines and optometry. Close pharmacies accounts.
507 - Obtain, close and/or transfer any Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
508 - Ensure all insurance and other submittals are filed and paid back to the estate.
509 - Identify and determine if there are any professional or personal service providers to notify.
510 - Find, secure, understand all information related to charities and other organizations.
511 - Identify and notify any charities they volunteered with.
512 - Identify and notify any organizations they gave donations to in the past.
513 - Establish a crowdfunding site, either for the family or for a charitable cause.
514 - Agree on, or establish a donation organization for the deceased. Include in public notices.
515 - Determine if there are any donor advised funds or giving accounts.
516 - Create a foundation if was the Deceased had desired. Find out if any already exist.
517 - Identify and resolve any giving programs/matching programs. (i.e. employer, owned business)
518 - Review any bequests, example, to colleges/schools either on death or being paid over time.
519 - Ensure any gifts to charities in the will or are executed and documented.
520 - Determine if will has a residuary clause designating charities. Distribute final proceeds.
521 - Notify any schools or universities they attended (alma maters).
522 - Notify, pay or receive refunds for any schools they are currently enrolled in.
523 - Identify, notify & attempt to redeem or transfer credits from Frequent Flyer / Hotel programs.
524 - Find and understand all information on groups, activities and professional associations.
525 - Identify any group leadership roles and responsibilities, including non-for-profit Boards.
526 - Identify, notify and obtain any benefits from fraternal orders or other similar groups.
527 - Notify and close any health clubs (gyms, tennis, YMCA) or other (e.g. massage memberships).
528 - Notify and transfer or exit social clubs (e.g. country club, Lodges (Elk, Moose)).
529 - Identify, notify and cancel Trade/Industry memberships, professional societies.
530 - Identify, notify and stop dues for other groups & organizations. (e.g. HOA, political, alumni).
531 - Sign-up for the Do Not Contact list for marketers and telemarketers.
532 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information on bank accounts and activity.
533 - Identify the banks where they had accounts or might have had accounts.
534 - Contact the banks to confirm or research all of the assets and accounts on file.
535 - Obtain or download account history (12 months if possible). Find autopays & other payments.
536 - Find and secure any ATM, credit and debit cards.
537 - Find and secure any checkbooks and passbooks.
538 - Execute any Transfer on Death (TOD) designations if they were specified.
539 - Remove name from checks and get new checks re-issued given they may be refused.
540 - Remove name from joint bank accounts
541 - Record final transaction date and amount from each account by deceased.
542 - Find all bank safety deposit boxes, locations, where to find keys, names of authorized users.
543 - Empty all bank safety deposit boxes and close.
544 - Notify and close or transfer any autobill against bank accounts (credit cards or credit lines).
545 - Shut down online banking or redo password. Review local laws and restrictions for this.
546 - Notify and close bank checking accounts.
547 - Notify and close bank savings accounts.
548 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information on loans, debts and finances.
549 - Ask Deceased's family and friends about debts, including personal or non-traditional.
550 - Determine if the State(s) are Community Property and if there is a surviving spouse.
551 - Establish a debt claims deadline (each State has different rules). Post in Newspapers.
552 - Review and pay any claims from other creditors, including those from Newspaper notifications.
553 - Obtain credit card history for last 12 months if possible from all cards (may be online).
554 - Obtain credit reports from all three major bureaus. Notify them of death to freeze credit.
555 - Review all credit card balances, decide which or all to pay and submit payment.
556 - Notify and shut down all credit card accounts (Majors: VISA, Amex, MasterCard, Diners).
557 - Notify and close any debit card or pre-paid card accounts. If joint account, remove deceased.
558 - Pay mortgage(s) until properties are sold or mortgages are transferred.
559 - Determine if there is a mortgage life insurance policy and obtain proceeds.
560 - Continue paying mortgages. Pay off or transfer 2nd mortgages or equity lend lines (HELOC).
561 - Find any reverse mortgages, establish if Deceased was last surviving borrower.
562 - Payoff reverse mortgage or allow lender to take ownership if last surviving borrower.
563 - Review any student loan documentation for accounts they paid on or were a cosigner.
564 - Review any student loans owed being paid by the Deceased for discharge or settlement.
565 - For loans they cosigned, notify borrower and ensure lender requirements are understood.
566 - For loans they cosigned, review actions needed and if estate will become new cosigner.
567 - Determine if the estate needs to pay off any jointly signed loans, or exit liability.
568 - Find and close out any other bank credit lines.
569 - Notify and close out any non-bank credit lines (e.g. payday loans).
570 - Notify and close out any store credit cards (or other non-branded cards).
571 - Find P2P lending accounts, close out loans, recover any funds owed & delete account.
572 - Find and close out any outstanding lay-away payments, or return merchandise.
573 - Find all documents related to non-qualified financial accounts or assets (stocks, bonds).
574 - Identify any financial planner, wealth manager or brokerage accounts and contacts.
575 - Identify all financial products and details, along with locations.
576 - Determine which if any have joint ownership, with whom.
577 - Obtain Testamentary Letters and/or Death Certificate copies (at least 10) to provide.
578 - Stop any transactions that have not been executed, if necessary.
579 - Find, transfer or sell any certificates of deposits.
580 - Find, transfer or sell any savings bonds.
581 - Find, transfer or sell any corporate bonds.
582 - Find, transfer or sell any municipal bonds.
583 - Find, transfer or sell any treasury bonds or notes.
584 - Find, transfer or sell any money market funds.
585 - Find, transfer or sell any mutual funds.
586 - Find and transfer or sell any annuities. Identify beneficiaries.
587 - Find, transfer or sell any Treasury Bills (T-Bills).
588 - Find, transfer or sell any stocks (with certificates).
589 - Find, transfer or sell all other financial assets. Consult accounts and wealth managers.
590 - Ensure all accounts related to non-qualified plans are closed out or transferred.
591 - Find all documents for any qualified financial accounts (Pensions, 401Ks) and IRAs.
592 - Identify any financial planner, wealth manager or brokerage accounts and contacts.
593 - Identify all financial products and details, along with locations.
594 - Determine which if any have joint ownership, with whom.
595 - Obtain Testamentary Letters and/or Death Certificate copies (at least 10) to provide.
596 - Transfer or close any 529 Plans. Identify beneficiary and transfer or liquidate.
597 - Find and sell or transfer any non-Roth IRAs (SEP, Traditional Bank, etc.).
598 - Find and sell or transfer any Keogh Plans.
599 - Find and sell or transfer any Roth IRAs.
600 - Find and liquidate any 403b tax sheltered annuities.
601 - Find, transfer or sell any other qualified plans not specified. Consult wealth managers.
602 - Ensure any wealth or brokerage accounts for qualified plans are closed or transferred.
603 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information related to insurance and policies.
604 - Identify and contact their main Insurance agent/broker, if they had one.
605 - Find any life insurance policy(s) purchased by Deceased. Find signed contract(s) to collect.
606 - Find and collect any life insurance from any business they may have been an owner of.
607 - File to collect any life insurance from their most recent or previous employer(s).
608 - Find any life insurance policies that are not part of the estate and support collection.
609 - Find, request, collect/cancel any accident or other related insurance from an employer.
610 - Find, request, collect/cancel any accidental insurance (payout to cover cost of injury).
611 - Find, request, collect/cancel any accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
612 - Find, receive any amounts owed (outstanding reimbursements from healthcare providers).
613 - Identify and cancel any healthcare, pharmaceutical or dental insurance.
614 - Identify and cancel any Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance.
615 - Find, collect any balance (if whole life LTC) and close any long term care insurance.
616 - Find and collect on any terminal illness healthcare insurance.
617 - Find and close/liquidate/transfer any life insurance policy the Deceased had on other people.
618 - Find, continue and/or transfer/close any homeowner/renter insurance.
619 - Find and cancel any other property insurance policies (e.g. personal article, boat, flood)
620 - Find, cancel or modify car / auto insurance, including GAP Insurance.
621 - Find and cancel any umbrella/catastrophe insurance (extra liability insurance).
622 - Find, collect and cancel any credit or credit card insurance.
623 - Find, request, cancel/collect any disability policy (payments to cover lost wages).
624 - Find and collect any outstanding travelers insurance.
625 - Review all insurance policies and payments, request refunds owed (example pre-payments).
626 - Ensure any other insurance items not already covered were not forgotten.
627 - Find, secure and understand all documents for any vehicles and their equipment.
628 - Create a list of any vehicles with supporting information (e.g. VIN) and locations.
629 - Confirm ownership of vehicles and identify joint owners or encumbrances.
630 - Find any vehicle related financial debts (i.e. loans), payment plans or note documentation.
631 - Gather up any keys or other supporting equipment or devices.
632 - Find any vehicle maintenance records (e.g. oil change history) and inspection proof/date.
633 - Determine if any TOD (Transfer on Death) for any vehicles and their registrations.
634 - Exit or transfer any car/other vehicle leases.
635 - Sell, distribute or donate vehicles. (e.g. cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, planes).
636 - Find and transfer car titles.
637 - Find and transfer other titles (e.g. boat, RV/Recreational Vehicles, plane, motorcycles).
638 - Find, then transfer or return license plates (depends on disposition of the vehicle(s))
639 - Find, then return any handicap stickers (if on plate then goes on the plate list item)
640 - Find, then transfer or cancel/return registrations (depends if selling or giving to someone).
641 - Find, then return or cancel any parking permits (e.g. office, community).
642 - Notify, pay, close or transfer tolltag accounts (e.g. toll authority or EZPass).
643 - Identify, transfer or sell any parking spots or garage spaces (owned).
644 - Identify, transfer and close any parking spots or garage spaces (rented).
645 - Find and cancel any automobile club memberships or roadside assistance (e.g. AAA).
646 - Transfer, close out and recover funds for pre-paid automotive maintenance programs.
647 - Determine if they had a pilot's license. Notify the FAA.
648 - Sell, transfer or exit any fractional vehicle ownerships (e.g. planes).
649 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding trusts.
650 - Create a detailed list of trusts, along with the preliminary attributes of each.
651 - Obtain or create TINs/EINs for all the trusts, and add to the master trust list.
652 - For each trust, identify the grantor, objectives, assets included and the beneficiaries.
653 - Establish the trustee(s) for each, along with any named successor trustees.
654 - Determine the State or jurisdictional law for each. Review rules in all documents.
655 - Validate each trust to ensure no complications impacting administration or distribution.
656 - Confirm any timing provisions and constraints of the trusts, and if any are on-going.
657 - Determine if each trust is revocable, irrevocable or testamentary.
658 - Determine if the trusts are simple or complex.
659 - Determine if any of the trusts are blind, silent or quiet.
660 - Review the beneficiaries to understand if any of the trusts are pooled or for a group.
661 - Review the objectives for any spendthrift or special/supplemental needs provisions.
662 - Review the distributions for any discretionary, flexible or sprinkling clauses or language.
663 - Confirm all trusts are solvent. Identify potential liabilities, forecast any solvency risks.
664 - Ensure any funeral insurance trusts are liquidated and funds properly applied.
665 - Ensure any marital/spousal related trusts are properly administered and distributed.
666 - Ensure living trusts are properly administered and distributed, including disclaimers.
667 - Ensure any child/minor/family related trusts are properly administered and distributed.
668 - Ensure any educaton trusts, including Coverdell ESAs, are administered and distributed.
669 - Ensure any dynasty trusts (e.g. GST) are properly administered and distributed.
670 - Ensure any life insurance trusts are properly administered and distributed.
671 - Ensure any grantor trusts (e.g. GRAT, GRUT, GRIT) are properly administered and distributed.
672 - Ensure any charitable trusts (e.g. Lead, CRUT, CRAT) are properly administered and distributed.
673 - Ensure asset protection trusts (Foreign or Domestic) are administered and distributed.
674 - Ensure Medicaid asset protection trusts (MAPTs) are administered and distributed.
675 - Identify and distribute any Totten trusts (Payable on Death (POD) bank account).
676 - Ensure any pet/animal trusts are properly administered and distributed.
677 - Research any other types of trusts, and ensure properly administered and distributed.
678 - Determine if there are any constructive or resulting trusts, and ensure resolved properly.
679 - Ensure Schedule K1s are provided each year to any trust beneficiaries requiring receipt.
680 - Cancel any Trustee/Surety Bonds no longer needed.
681 - Determine and identify if they were eligible for any Federal government retirement benefits.
682 - Find, secure, understand all documents related to any cryptocurrency or DeFI activities.
683 - Search for cryptocurrencies on any personal off-line storage media.
684 - Search for cryptocurrencies on any personal on-line accounts (e.g. Coinbase).
685 - Find any cryptography keys or information to enable access. Identify others who have them.
686 - Determine ownership stakes for any joint holdings for the estate.
687 - Determine cost and market value of all cryptocurrencies or DeFi owned.
688 - Decide whether to liquidate or transfer all cryptocurrencies or DeFi assets to beneficiaries.
689 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information on owned or invested businesses.
690 - Identify and find any business interests held, financial statements and contracts, etc.
691 - Search for corporate entities that they associated with.
692 - Determine ownership level in each business, their structure and legal basis.
693 - Review Will or other documents for directions on disposition of business ownership and assets.
694 - Find any Buy Sell Agreements for the businesses.
695 - Identify any Trusts, existing or planned for after death (e.g. grantor retained, charitable).
696 - Determine ownership of any individual assets requiring review (jointly held, with whom).
697 - Find and clarify any warranties or guaranties for any assets that are to be kept or sold.
698 - Identify, close or transfer any debts between the Deceased and the businesses.
699 - Find or request a valuation of each business and their ownership when required.
700 - Return any company physical assets (e.g. personal computers, vehicles or other equipment).
701 - Obtain any assets or compensation due from all owned businesses.
702 - Ensure Deceased's share of any Accounts Receivable is received or will be in future.
703 - Return all information (e.g. reports, data) to companies from offsite or home locations.
704 - Find and resolve any open contracts for businesses which Deceased was involved.
705 - Modify, collect or cancel any business insurance policies (e.g. D&O, E&O, Key Man, etc.).
706 - Find, close and transfer any in-process work or deals involving the Deceased.
707 - Decide on transaction(s) needed regarding the business (e.g. transfer, liquidation).
708 - Sell and distribute the assets and/or the possessions of companies to be liquidated.
709 - Identify and transfer any titles for buildings/offices or other major assets.
710 - Identify, transfer or close/cancel any dba/fbn if required.
711 - Transfer or sell any domains (internet) related to businesses they owned or controlled.
712 - Transfer, close or liquidate any MLM downline (inform company, settle balance).
713 - Identify and exit Partnerships, LP & LLCs. Review partnership agreement(s) for guidance.
714 - Identify and close any S-Corps.
715 - Identify and close any Sole Proprietorships.
716 - Confirm all businesses were either exited or closed.
717 - Find and understand all documents and information on family roles in businesses.
718 - Discuss and confirm details of family involvement with family and business employees.
719 - Confirm the business(es) qualify as family businesses.
720 - Evaluate individual(s) who will inherit the business for past & planned company roles.
721 - Review any succession plan(s) or instructions. Discuss with other owners.
722 - Decide how to sell, transfer or gift the business to the inheritor.
723 - Review and understand any preparations the Deceased took regarding tax implications.
724 - Review and ensure all other owned businesses items are closed out.
725 - Find, secure all documents and information for unions, profession, trade or licenses.
726 - Notify any license issuers of their passing. Ensure payments stopped.
727 - Establish if they were ever a union member, identify union, which branch and number.
728 - Discover if union has any benefits or pension. Notify union of Deceased's passing.
729 - Identify any professional trade organization membership. Check for benefits, notify.
730 - Obtain and review all documents (e.g. 1099s) and information for any additional employment.
731 - Identify any contract work, gig services, web platforms, temporary or staffing firms.
732 - Research all potential non-full-time employers and contact/notify of passing.
733 - Request copies of any tax documentation to be sent to the Executor or Accountants.
734 - For professional services, inform both current and recent/past clients.
735 - Exit any in-process proposals or projects. Deliver interim work. Obtain partial compensation.
736 - Determine if the deceased had any property due or open requirements for any of firms.
737 - Determine if any money is owed to the deceased. Facilitate its collection.
738 - Deactivate and delete any Gig work accounts, including online. Execute close-out process(es).
739 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding previous employers.
740 - Establish if they had any prior employers. Review records, ask family.
741 - Identify and obtain any life insurance proceeds provided by prior employer(s).
742 - Find out and obtain any corporate benefits, or death benefits.
743 - Investigate any Federal or other government employment benefits. Obtain if feasible.
744 - Recover 401k or other plans (403(b), 457).
745 - Identify and review any past pension records with former employer(s).
746 - Recover employer/retirement benefit (pension) plans from past employer(s).
747 - Execute or transfer stock options.
748 - Recover value from warrants or other stock option type items.
749 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information for any intellectual property.
750 - Determine if they had licensed any of their own IP, or were licensing any IP from others.
751 - Determine if they had transferred ownership of any intellectual property they held.
752 - Identify if there are any terms/restrictions of use instructions from the deceased.
753 - Identify any designations of transfer (e.g. in the will), including the beneficiary and IP.
754 - Review all known intellectual property to determine if sole owners, or if not, with who.
755 - Find and transfer/sell any copyrights or materials with copyrights.
756 - Determine if they had any inventions, their ownership and what to do/who to transfer to.
757 - Find and transfer/sell any awarded patents.
758 - Find and transfer/sell any royalties from awarded patents.
759 - Identify and transfer/continue/abandon any patent applications currently in process.
760 - Find and transfer/sell any awarded trademarks they owned.
761 - Find and transfer/sell any royalties from issued trademarks.
762 - Identify and transfer/continue/abandon any trademark applications currently in process.
763 - Find and transfer/sell any royalties from likeness, image, name (for celebrities).
764 - Find and transfer/sell any royalties from songs, movies, TV shows, plays, books, games, etc.
765 - Find & discuss any trade secrets, and their uses and options. Transfer/license if applicable.
766 - Identify and determine if the Deceased had any crowdfunding accounts.
767 - Find, secure, understand all information regarding any non-litigation legal issues.
768 - Find and obtain any Legal Plans compensation support available from all sources.
769 - Search bankruptcy records, if deemed applicable. Federal Court records will have these.
770 - Search for liens and judgments.
771 - Identify and settle any court judgments (i.e. debts).
772 - Identify then transfer or sell any court judgments (i.e. awards).
773 - Identify then transfer or exit any contracts (open personal, not owned businesses or employer).
774 - Identify and document any Tax Issues, including from past returns.
775 - Find and secure all documents on Federal government benefits or agencies to notify.
776 - Confirm Federal government agencies requiring notification to resolve benefits.
777 - Notify Post Office (USPS) and private mail locations of death, cancel any P.O. Boxes.
778 - Submit a mail forwarding address to USPS and others if vacating a home.
779 - Identify and collect residual funds, including Medicaid burial benefits, from MSAs and HSAs.
780 - Notify Social Security Administration, and ensure they are aware of military service.
781 - Return final Social Security check. (SSA does not prorate for month of death).
782 - Request Social Security Survivor Benefits (not one time death benefit, but for spouses/kids).
783 - Collect Social Security one time death/funeral benefit (if applicable and survivors qualify).
784 - Research and obtain any unclaimed property (e.g. Government, other sources).
785 - Inform the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in writing.
786 - Notify and close any Medicaid account.
787 - Notify and close any Medicare account. Recover any due reimbursement funds.
788 - Contact United States Treasury to check if registered owners of any bonds or other assets.
789 - Inform Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for any current or future pension issues.
790 - Close out or transfer benefits due from Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).
791 - Notify Department of Agriculture and transfer/cancel SNAP (i.e. food stamps) or other benefits.
792 - Notify Health & Human Services regarding changes / transfer to any TANF payments or account.
793 - Notify U.S. Fish & Wildlife regarding any hunting licenses or stamps.
794 - Notify any Federal agencies where the deceased had security clearances, and also the FBI.
795 - Close out any loans, grants or other provisions provided for other emergencies with the IRS.
796 - Close out any loans, grants or other provisions provided by FEMA for disaster relief.
797 - Cancel National Park Service membership.
798 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information on veteran or survivor status.
799 - Find Military service papers, including discharge records.
800 - Find the Veterans’ benefit records & VA number (Veteran Affairs Identification Number).
801 - Search for additional information (e.g. military unit, groups, ships). Decide on informing.
802 - Determine if Veteran Cemetery desired by deceased or family. Request evaluation to qualify.
803 - Arrange for Veteran headstone, marker or medallion for their grave.
804 - Request Burial Plot Interment Allowance. The form is VA 21P-530.
805 - Request Military Honors at the burial, including a burial flag.
806 - Request Veteran's Insurance (examples are VGLI, FSGLI, VMLI, SGLI, S-DVI).
807 - Request Veteran's Administration (VA) Survivor Benefits. (e.g. Survivors Pension)
808 - Close out or transfer their PX (Post Exchange) account(s).
809 - Contact Casualty Assistance Office if they died on active duty.
810 - Investigate and obtain Wartime Service Pension (if applicable).
811 - Investigate and request Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.
812 - Contact Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) to check for benefits. (e.g. AMVETS, VFW)
813 - Notify DFAS (Defense Finance & Accounting Service) with respect to any benefits administered.
814 - Determine if they had a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).
815 - Determine if survivors can continue to receive healthcare (e.g. TRICARE).
816 - Investigate and apply for tax forgiveness, if available.
817 - Review Department of Veteran Affairs information to find any other benefits.
818 - Contact other military organizations for support (e.g. AER, AFAS, NMCRS)
819 - Find all documents on State or local government benefits or agencies to notify.
820 - Confirm State and local government agencies to notify and to resolve any benefits.
821 - Notify the State Department of Health. This may be part of the Death Certificate process.
822 - Notify the city/town government and Tax Office.
823 - Notify the county government, Commissioner and Tax Office.
824 - Investigate and collect any State burial benefits (varies by state).
825 - Investigate and collect any county burial benefits (varies by county).
826 - Notify State workforce agency. (i.e. unemployment)
827 - Notify State Welfare agency to cancel or transfer State assistance programs.
828 - Notify State and local agencies regarding any housing assistance programs.
829 - Notify State department of revenue or State revenue agency (e.g. Texas Comptroller's Office).
830 - Notify the State Office of Financial Recovery or equivalent State agency.
831 - Notify the State agency for both crime victim and worker's compensation, if applicable.
832 - Cancel voter registration(s) (at county level, with exceptions at city level).
833 - Find, pay then close or transfer water account. (if local government agency)
834 - Find and obtain (State, local) government benefits owed, government funds or property.
835 - Notify and State or local hunting license issuer.
836 - Transfer or sell any business or commercial licenses.
837 - Contact library to close account(s), ensure all books were returned.
838 - Find and close any transportation (e.g. buses/subway) passes.
839 - Find, secure, understand any documents related to disabilities or related benefits.
840 - Establish, as best as possible, type and timing of disabilities.
841 - Notify, stop and/or transfer any Federal disability payments. (SSDI and SSI).
842 - Notify, stop and/or transfer any State (supplementary to Federal) disability payments.
843 - Notify, stop and/or transfer any Veteran disability payments.
844 - Notify, stop and/or transfer any other (e.g. private, charity) disability payments.
845 - Identify and stop any Worker's Compensation payments (e.g. Indemnity, Impairment).
846 - Identify and stop any Worker's Compensation payments from any previous employer.
847 - Identify and secure any major disability related equipment, (e.g. scooters, respirators).
848 - Transfer, return or donate major disability related equipment. (e.g. scooters)
849 - Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding any criminal issues.
850 - Search for and obtain their criminal record(s). Focus search on specific geographies.
851 - Determine if they were on parole or under in-house arrest. Notify parole officer or agency.
852 - Recover any bail or resolve any bail bond agreements.
853 - Notify any police departments with criminal warrants for their arrest.
854 - Look into expunging their criminal record. May require a close relative to submit.
855 - Find their computer(s), and any others they used but did not own.
856 - Look for additional accessories (e.g. hard drives, thumb drives, peripherals).
857 - Obtain any passwords to access computers.
858 - Find/gather any software manuals or other supporting information.
859 - Search for any software keys or other ownership proof/access (in electronic or printed form).
860 - Determine disposition (keep/transfer, donate, sell), and to whom if known.
861 - Check for any online storage accounts, e.g. Google Drive, for storage. Save & delete.
862 - Field requests from family and friends on files to search for and pass, or delete.
863 - Review computer for possible inclusions in digital legacy or support for ceremonies.
864 - Determine people to give files to and for which topics (finances, business, family history).
865 - Decide and delete files not needed by other parties (e.g. non-relevant PII, other).
866 - Save or transfer files for family or other recipients on to storage medium(s).
867 - Delete 'search history' from browsers and cookies from hard drives.
868 - For donate, sell and transfer, ensure the hard drive is completely erased.
869 - Deliver appropriate electronic files to identified family or friends. Record delivery.
870 - Find all mobile devices, identify models, payment information and related information.
871 - Obtain passwords to access mobile devices and key applications.
872 - Determine and execute device disposition (keep/transfer, donate, sell), and recipients.
873 - Check for any online storage accounts, e.g. Google Drive, for storage. Save & delete.
874 - Ask family and friends about types of files (e.g. pictures) to search for, preserve or delete.
875 - Search mobile devices for possible digital legacy materials or support for the services.
876 - Determine who to give files or transfer accounts to, and for which topics (e.g. finances).
877 - Identify and delete files not to be preserved (e.g. embarrassing, confidential).
878 - Prepare to transfer applications and data for beneficiary or new mobile owner.
879 - For donate and sell, and possibly transfer, ensure the mobile device is completely erased.
880 - Deliver electronic files to identified family members or friends. Record recipients.
881 - Review email clients and documentation to identify email accounts.
882 - Find all passwords for emails, or identify ones stored inside software.
883 - List all email accounts, both current and past, along with passwords.
884 - Notify address list(s) of the passing of the deceased.
885 - Download and save their email address lists.
886 - Create an auto-response to inform contacts of passing and account shutdowns.
887 - Save/download emails and attachments. Deliver to chosen surviving recipient.
888 - Set-up email forwarding to review incoming emails.
889 - Shut down all email address. Timing of shutdowns could differ.
890 - Identify and determine if anyone owed the Deceased money.
891 - Determine if the Deceased held or cosigned for any SBA loans and work to resolve.
892 - Determine if the Deceased was part of a carpool or ride sharing program.
893 - Determine if the Deceased held any physical precious metals or ownership certificates.
894 - Determine and identify any theft monitoring services that the Deceased may have had.
895 - Determine if the Deceased was a member of any board of directors for company or charity.
896 - Review any email/group lists, discuss with friends or find any published work and their blogs.
897 - Advise and transfer any blogs or writing contributions. Identify and contact recipients.
898 - Notify any paying clients for writing. Recover money owed & provide any work-in-progress.
899 - Notify any groups they wrote for or contributed to, and provide any work-in-progress materials.
900 - Capture and transfer any mailing lists and hand-off responsibilities.
909 - Determine if they held any foreign assets, location and needed to transfer or liquidate.
910 - Determine if the Deceased was ever a teacher and if due any benefits.
911 - Identify and determine if the Deceased had any lottery winnings or respective annuities.
912 - Identify and determine if the Deceased was a member of a Native American tribe.
913 - Find, secure, understand all information regarding land or mineral rights.
914 - Determine if they had transferred ownership or leased any mineral rights.
915 - Identify any designations of transfer (e.g. in will), including beneficiary.
916 - Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Gas Rights.
917 - Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Gas Royalties.
918 - Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Oil Rights.
919 - Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Oil Royalties.
920 - Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Mineral Rights.
921 - Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Mineral Royalties.
922 - Transfer/sell any Land, Structures or Producing Assets.
923 - Determine if death was work related and any worker's compensation benefits eligibility.
924 - Review any name changes and decide which to put where, both desired and regulated.
925 - Confirm name to be on their death certificate.
926 - Establish or confirm wishes for current gender designation and name.
927 - Confirm decision to exclude prior name and/or gender in any public announcements.
928 - Confirm name(s) to be on plaques or headstones, and for grave databases & registries.
929 - Determine if they were in process of writing any books, plays or other literary efforts.
930 - Identify and determine if the Deceased had multiple wills or a foreign will.
931 - Determine if Deceased had any inventions, other intellectual property that was not patented.
932 - Determine if the Deceased owned or cared for any livestock that was not part of a farm.
933 - Identify and determine if the Deceased had an Ethical Will.
934 - Determine if the Deceased or survivors have any potential eligibility for mining benefits.
935 - Identify and determine if the Deceased had an ideas list or creations that were in-process.
936 - Determine if Deceased wished for cryonics, head freezing or any other storage of body parts.
937 - Determine if the Deceased wished for a burial at sea.
938 - Determine if the Deceased or survivors are eligible for railroad benefits.
939 - Identify and determine if the Deceased owned or leased a farm or had any crops.
940 - Determine if there was a conservatorship and obtain assets and accounting.
941 - Determine if they owned any timberlands.
901 - Find and review all documents on any private companies or sophisticated financial assets.
902 - Find and transfer or liquidate any restricted stock.
903 - Find and transfer or liquidate any closely held stock or privately owned company stock.
904 - Find and transfer or liquidate any private equity investments.
905 - Find and transfer or liquidate any hedge fund investments.
906 - File or transfer any membership certificates (e.g. for Limited Liability Companies).
907 - Reconcile any collateral obligations or secured Items against estate.
908 - Ensure that all transactions are properly recorded for both beneficiaries and taxes.
Select 1st Item *
Select Item 1
1 -
If out of country death, speak with Bureau of Consular Affairs and obtain legal representative.
2 -
Identify the two funeral homes involved and establish contacts at each.
3 -
Obtain required paperwork for transport of the body. (e.g. Death Certificate)
4 -
Ensure appropriate State regulations are followed for the States involved (e.g. embalming)
5 -
Determine if ground transportation is feasible, or if air will be used.
6 -
Coordinate body transportation (air & ground) back to home city funeral home.
7 -
Arrange for transfer from air or rail to local transport to funeral home (if required).
8 -
Confirm receipt of body and required documentation at home city funeral home.
9 -
Understand any religious or other customs and their impacts on related Items.
10 -
Determine if the Deceased wanted to donate their body to science or a body farm.
11 -
Discuss issue with spouse or other close family, and wishes. May have veto ability.
12 -
Check for an organ donor card or state organ registry (Department of Public Safety or DMV).
13 -
Follow-up to ensure specific organ or tissue donation executed or attempted to be executed.
14 -
Obtain confirmation of donation and any other details (e.g. recipients) for future reference.
15 -
Return body to family for burial. Arrange delivery to funeral home.
16 -
Determine if an autopsy was requested or required. Coordinate with officials.
17 -
Find and understand pre-paid funeral contracts or Funeral Insurance (aka Burial, Pre-Need).
18 -
Obtain funds from pre-paid contracts and insurance policies. Determine usage of proceeds.
19 -
Check for any funeral contributions from employers, organizations or retirement plans.
20 -
Determine if the grave / plot or columbarium has been selected.
21 -
Determine if the grave / plot or columbarium was already paid for, either fully or partially.
22 -
Find any instructions confirming cremation decisions, including any religious protocols.
23 -
Decision made on ashes to be interred, scattered or kept.
24 -
Inform funeral home/director of cremation decision.
25 -
Schedule any viewing of the deceased, if desired, before cremation.
26 -
Schedule the cremation.
27 -
Confirm who will witness the cremation.
28 -
Confirm the cremation was completed. Deliver personal effects to survivors.
29 -
Obtain the encased ashes.
30 -
Decide/identify location and spread ashes (if desired final decision). (1st Option)
31 -
Select & purchase an urn, ensure any religious affiliation compliance considered.
32 -
Deliver ashes to family member or other person (if the final decision) (2nd Option)
33 -
Send ashes to recipients via delivery service (e.g. USPS).
34 -
Transport and accompany ashes on a commercial airline.
35 -
If ashes are to be interred, determine the location (e.g. columbarium). (3rd Option)
36 -
Reserve and pay for location for the ashes.
37 -
Decide on information for plaque (e.g. Deceased name, dates, etc.)
38 -
Obtain plaque for urn location and have affixed.
39 -
Bury/inter ashes in the urn or other vessel in chosen location.
40 -
Register columbarium details with cemetery database and online databases.
41 -
Find, secure and understand any instructions confirming burial instructions/decisions.
42 -
Decide and request the body be embalmed (or not).
43 -
Decide on clothing & styling for body, ensure completed properly. Follow any religious protocols.
44 -
Select and pay for a casket, ensure complies with any religious specifications.
45 -
Decide if either a burial vault or grave liner is desired, and purchase.
46 -
Select a cemetery. Options include traditional, memorial parks or religion based.
47 -
Understand maintenance plans and any future required payments or fees.
48 -
Choose and purchase a grave plot (or determine if already selected and/or purchased).
49 -
Decide on information for headstones or plaque (e.g. name, dates, etc.).
50 -
Purchase headstone, plaque or marker & accessories.
51 -
Register grave details with cemetery database and online databases.
52 -
Find all documents for the Deceased's wishes on content and placement for public notice.
53 -
Determine if Deceased wrote or provided guidance on contents or a writer. Designate an editor.
54 -
Agree and approve of obituary and other public announcement wording.
55 -
Notify their place(s) of worship of their passing. (Ceremony coordination is in another item.)
56 -
Determine the guest list and publish service and / or send invitations.
57 -
Decide on a charity for donations in memory of the Deceased. List in publications and obituary.
58 -
Create a Crowdfunding listing either for the family and expenses, or a favorite charity.
59 -
Review any Crowdfunding sites created in the name of the Deceased, and ensure reputable.
60 -
Publish legal notice about the Estate for creditors if probate requires it.
61 -
Select Newspapers and request publication of obituary. Inform survivors of timing.
62 -
Write and post online notices of their passing (e.g. Legacy.com, Facebook).
63 -
Track and respond to any donations or gifts sent in honor of the deceased.
64 -
Find and understand any expressed desires of deceased related to a funeral service.
65 -
Identify and agree upon inclusion of any religious protocols for the service(s).
66 -
Reserve the location (e.g. place of worship, residence) and time. Coordinate with clergy.
67 -
Arrange for the body/casket to be transported to the location. Coordinate for graveside as well.
68 -
Coordinate spiritual leader(s) (e.g. preachers, priest, clergy, minister).
69 -
Request and coordinate with other speakers (e.g. family members for readings).
70 -
Decide and agree on any readings or other details for the service.
71 -
Request performer(s) for ceremony (e.g. singers, musicians). Decide on music.
72 -
Request and confirm pallbearers participation at service venue.
73 -
Determine the guest list and publish service and / or send invitations.
74 -
Create a registration book for the service.
75 -
Request cards (e.g. prayer cards) be made for the deceased.
76 -
Decide if open or closed casket during the service.
77 -
Coordinate clothing, jewelry and make-up instructions (e.g. uniforms).
78 -
Order or request flowers, plants or candles for the service.
79 -
Inform and schedule deliveries for recipient(s) of flowers and other items from all ceremonies.
80 -
Create or provide any videos or pictures for the service.
81 -
Hire a house-sitter for time of funeral (burglaries can be an issue).
82 -
Complete the memorial service.
83 -
Recover any items from the casket not to be buried (e.g. jewelry). Return to Estate.
84 -
Execute handoff (casket, transportation, motorcade) from service to graveside.
85 -
Find and understand any visitation instructions or preferences indicated by Deceased.
86 -
Identify and agree upon inclusion of any religious protocols for the viewing(s).
87 -
Determine if there will be multiple events (e.g. a visitation, post-Celebration of Life).
88 -
Decide on venue(s) for each and reserve, contract and pay.
89 -
Schedule a day(s) and time(s) for the visitation.
90 -
Schedule a day(s) and time(s) for the other events.
91 -
Decide if there will be a casket or urn, or no remains present at visitation.
92 -
Decide if open or closed casket (if casket is to be present).
93 -
Determine the guest list & invitees for all events.
94 -
Send invitations, reach out to invitees or publish the invitation to the events.
95 -
Decide and arrange any food, drink, music, flowers, videos, speakers or other event details.
96 -
Determine and inform recipient(s) of any leftover food or flowers. Arrange/coordinate delivery.
97 -
Ensure all contracts and bills related to events are paid/settled.
98 -
Decide if a graveside ceremony was in deceased wishes or family preference.
99 -
Include or communicate with desired invitees if contiguous with funeral.
100 -
Coordinate any procession, traffic, route or police escort issues with body transport.
101 -
Provide for any family travel to and from grave site.
102 -
Provide for transportation of other people (if required).
103 -
Request and confirm pallbearers requirement at graveside.
104 -
Invite officiant or other speakers. (Possibly same as memorial service).
105 -
Agree on any scriptures or other readings desired.
106 -
Request presence of the pallbearers (if required)
107 -
Deliver (and retrieve) any pictures, videos, memorials and flowers.
108 -
Request honor guard with bugler (if veteran).
109 -
Establish all possible names for the deceased for research, publications and informing.
110 -
Find, understand and list all documents found at deceased's residences, storage & work.
111 -
Request documents from their relatives and professional service providers. Create a list.
112 -
Review for any final instructions from deceased and/or Designated Agent forms.
113 -
Find and review any Healthcare Directive, Medical Directive or Living Will.
114 -
Identify and establish any name changes and related court documents.
115 -
Request or confirm Death Registration to County (Funeral Home should do/file).
116 -
Obtain Death Certificate (Certificate of Death Abstract), at least 10 copies.
117 -
Obtain a burial or cremation permit (funeral home should complete/file).
118 -
Identify, notify and speak with Healthcare Proxy / HIPPA agent.
119 -
Identify and deliver any personal letters for post-death distribution.
120 -
Find birth certificates (of all close family members).
121 -
Obtain credit reports and notify all 3 Credit Reporting Agencies. Provide Death Certificates.
122 -
Find and secure income related documents and statements for the current year.
123 -
Find and secure any IRS income tax returns (for the current and previous year).
124 -
Find and secure any other IRS, Financial or Legal documents.
125 -
Find and secure their Social Security card, or if unavailable, their Social Security number.
126 -
Find, return and cancel their Passport(s).
127 -
Find, notify and return driver’s license to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
128 -
Make scans of documents, deliver or store for future access and identify who may need them.
129 -
Shred & dispose of all other paperwork when finished.
130 -
Determine if a will exists (first option)
131 -
Confirm there was not a valid will. (2nd option)
132 -
Review will (and amendments) for key information (e.g. assets, executor(s), beneficiaries).
133 -
Decide if filing for probate is required.
134 -
Establish state(s), and their laws, including UPC, will validity and intestate rules.
135 -
Determine what assets will not be part of probate. (e.g. trusts, TOD, joint assets)
136 -
Determine if any ancillary probates will be required. (e.g. for real estate in a 2nd state)
137 -
Evaluate if a Small Estate Administration or Affidavit is available, desired and feasible.
138 -
Determine if any executors (representatives, administrator) or backups were named.
139 -
Deliver documents to the court, including the will, proof of death form and death certificate.
140 -
Review list of beneficiaries in the will, contact each. Contact additional relatives.
141 -
Determine if any minors are in the will, establish a representative.
142 -
Obtain a waiver from beneficiaries for the bond and for Independent Administration.
143 -
Post notice of probate in the newspaper, courthouse & any databases. May be required.
144 -
Address any objections to the will or other issues.
145 -
For intestate (no will), hire attorney for unknown heirs & identify disinterested witnesses.
146 -
Have the will validated by court.
147 -
Confirm court has authorized someone for probate process, including an administrator.
148 -
Court issues Letters of Authority, Testamentary or Independent Executorship
149 -
Register any trusts. May not be compulsory, varies by state.
150 -
Get an EIN for the estate from the IRS. Will be required to file some tax forms.
151 -
Open estate bank account. May not need to do if Executor or others had a joint account.
152 -
Create estate brokerage accounts with financial planners for estate or beneficiaries.
153 -
Post a Bond, unless not required or court advises not to.
154 -
Collect, secure and maintain all property related to the Estate.
155 -
Take inventory of all of the assets. Enlist professional help if needed.
156 -
Identify and provide notice to all known creditors.
157 -
Provide proof of contact and public notice for beneficiaries and creditors.
158 -
Pay necessary fees and all valid claims of debts. Pay any specific bequests from the will.
159 -
Close probate and submit to court, receive permission to distribute remaining assets
160 -
Distribute remaining assets. Obtain receipts and file with courts to prove distribution.
161 -
Pay final executor fees and expenses.
162 -
Prepare and submit a final accounting of the Estate. Send to beneficiaries and creditors.
163 -
Prepare and submit probate closing statement to the court.
164 -
Obtain a release from duties for the Executor or Representative.
165 -
Close the estate bank account.
166 -
Identify the pets of the deceased, with the number and types, names, ages, etc.
167 -
Find any instructions made by deceased for their wishes regarding their pet(s).
168 -
Find, secure and understand any additional documents (e.g. adoption, sale, birth).
169 -
Identify and contact the emergency caregiver(s) for pets.
170 -
Find and secure any certified pedigree certificates (for breed/heritage proof).
171 -
Establish if pet is subject to any breed specific legislation (e.g. aggressive breeds).
172 -
Identify if any pets are exotics, have licensing requirements or restrictions.
173 -
Find any microchips and/or identification database registries and tracking numbers.
174 -
Locate and secure pets if with others / boarded, or ensure continuation until transition.
175 -
Identify and cancel any in-process pet adoptions.
176 -
Return any animals if they are a foster or were being cared for temporarily.
177 -
Set-up allowances for day-to-day care of pet before long-term transition.
178 -
Determine if the Will has a provision for pet as a beneficiary or funds for care.
179 -
Identify if there is a trust for the pet(s) or other animals, or to create one.
180 -
Determine disposition of any remaining funds after pet's death and where funds are to go.
181 -
Notify the Veterinarian(s), obtain records, keep informed of the process and transition.
182 -
Receive & transfer (to caretaker) any medical or pharma records, pharmaceuticals or OTC.
183 -
Transfer pets to permanent caretaker or to designated shelter or charity if any.
184 -
Identify/inform backup long-term caretaker, if specified. Possibly a shelter, foster.
185 -
Continue, end or transition any dog walking services. Ensure bills are continued or paid.
186 -
Continue, end or transition any pet boarding/sitting services. Settle payments.
187 -
Cancel or transition any pet food delivery (e.g. Chewy, Amazon, Petco, PetSmart)
188 -
Close out accounts on any pet websites (e.g. Wag!, brokers for sitting, walking etc.)
189 -
Cancel/settle any accounts with Pet stores.
190 -
Transition any pet products to caretaker (not in estate) (e.g. toys, carriers, supplies).
191 -
Notify, settle and/or transition any other services (e.g. grooming, training).
192 -
Cancel or transition any pet liability insurance (in case they do any damage).
193 -
Cancel or transition any pet medical insurance (for illnesses, procedures, etc.)
194 -
Find and review all information on their family, friends, associates & beneficiaries.
195 -
Obtain names and contact information of closest family (all heirs) and friends.
196 -
Create chart with current and former spouse(s), parents, children, grandchildren.
197 -
Build a master list with everyone involved with contact information, especially relatives.
198 -
Find and communicate the deceased's passing to master list with their beneficiary status.
199 -
Refer family and friends to grieving support & counselors.
200 -
Review the Will and/or State laws to identify beneficiaries.
201 -
Ensure no specific disinheritance language exists, and determine any impact or legal validity.
202 -
Contact all beneficiaries listed/identified. Determine for each if direct or an alternate.
203 -
Determine if there is a provision for a residuary beneficiary and if yes, identify.
204 -
Determine if any beneficiaries are bankrupt. Understand court and creditor issues.
205 -
Identify and pay any family allowances from estate (e.g. divorce, child support).
206 -
Find and understand all details of marriages, divorces and domestic partnerships.
207 -
Understand if State(s) uses community property or common law, plus other legal concerns.
208 -
Identify if there is a surviving spouse.
209 -
Find and resolve any community property agreements (splits without an official divorce).
210 -
Find and understand any survivorship agreements.
211 -
Determine if there was a simultaneous death issue.
212 -
Identify any past marriages, ex-spouses (if alive/remarried), and timing and resolutions.
213 -
Confirm any unmarried partners, LGBT, common law, other similar issues. Determine impacts.
214 -
Confirm marriage licenses or certificate information, include prior ones.
215 -
Obtain, confirm and review any Domestic Partnership Registration and/or agreements.
216 -
Find and review any nuptial agreements (e.g. pre-nuptials). Determine validity and impacts.
217 -
Identify and resolve any divorce issues and documentation (e.g. property settlements).
218 -
Identify and settle any alimony / spousal support. Determine estate's liability.
219 -
Confirm spouse(s) were US citizens, and if not review tax and other issues (e.g. QDOT).
220 -
Obtain and review all documents on children and dependents. Review for guardian decisions.
221 -
Determine who all of their children and dependents are, and key information on each.
222 -
For adopted or foster children, find court documents and notify agencies if required.
223 -
For children living with them, determine any custody/living changes (i.e. single parent).
224 -
For minors, establish guardians for day-to-day needs of children and their finances/support.
225 -
Confirm and/or establish long-term guardians for any minor children or dependents.
226 -
Find and decide to continue any daycare/childcare services or transfer to new caretaker.
227 -
Identify any disinheritance issues with any children. Understand the State laws.
228 -
Determine if any children or dependents are not US citizens, and understand impacts.
229 -
Establish who and how any property conveyed to children will be managed (e.g. trusts).
230 -
Identify any child support in place, including documents, payments and how they worked.
231 -
Ensure no other family allowances from estate. Obtain any recipients and amounts.
232 -
Notify schools (K-12, colleges) of any children. Pay balances owed and arrange for continuity.
233 -
Notify any car pools and children's key friends' parents.
234 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information for any special needs children.
235 -
Identify any special needs dependents or children, and details of needs and situations.
236 -
Ensure special needs children & dependents receive proper benefits (e.g. long-term care).
237 -
Confirm chosen guardian has been notified and is ready to take over the role.
238 -
Establish proper caretaker or professionals, or transition to new interface.
239 -
Ensure any SSI (Supplemental Security Income) continues after Deceased's death.
240 -
Ensure that they receive any SSDI (Social Security Disability Income).
241 -
Confirm continuation of any State level disabled support benefits.
242 -
Confirm continuation of any Local (County, City, Town) level disabled support benefits.
243 -
Confirm continuation of any charity disabled support benefits.
244 -
Find/create a trust for special needs children or dependents (if requested or needed).
245 -
Communicate medication, health instruction or medical provider information to new caregivers.
246 -
Transfer medical support items or devices and documentation to new caregivers.
247 -
Determine if any professional clean up is necessary where the Deceased passed.
248 -
Find & understand all documents and information on legal & accounting professionals.
249 -
Identify and obtain contact information for key professionals.
250 -
Identify Executor or Representative choice. Contact them for coordination.
251 -
Contact Attorney, determine roles and activities they played. Determine if the Estate Attorney.
252 -
Contact Accountant or CPA, determine what roles and activities they played.
253 -
Find any Calendars of the deceased and cancel all of their appointments.
254 -
Determine Estate Solvency by comparing estate assets to debt.
255 -
Establish where they lived, and with who, who paid what, and whose names are on any lease.
256 -
If they lived with others, notify and discuss how to transition and remove belongings.
257 -
Confirm they only had a single residence, or identify locations if there are multiple.
258 -
Find, secure, understand all documents related to lease or rent of real estate from others.
259 -
Ensure any leases or commitments are terminated or scheduled to be.
260 -
Notify Landlord(s) and discuss how to end the lease and clean out belongings. (if applicable)
261 -
Stop any automatic rental payments (home, apartment, assisted living or nursing home).
262 -
Stop any additional rental payments (e.g. group rental agreements, 3rd party, etc.)
263 -
Ask local Police to periodically check on property if Deceased lived by themselves.
264 -
Ensure all belongings requiring removal are distributed or relocated.
265 -
Ensure any required repairs or cleaning to rentals are completed.
266 -
Close out and exit property, returning all keys and complete a final walk-through.
267 -
Recover any security deposits or buy-in fees for apartments, assisted living or other rentals.
268 -
Find, secure, understand all documents related to real estate holdings and investments.
269 -
Establish if they owned their primary residence. Confirm status, identify any co-owners.
270 -
Identify additional real estate investments and participation. Create a master tracking list.
271 -
Review all properties. Search for concerns/risks (environmental, zoning, code issues).
272 -
Change any locks or security codes to ensure that only authorized people have access.
273 -
Identify if any property has additional owners or liens, or was held jointly with Deceased.
274 -
Check for any TOD (Transfer on Death) Real Estate. Review for feasibility then execute.
275 -
Determine if there is any real estate inside of any trusts. Take any required action if needed.
276 -
Find, research and build the cost basis for the properties and find any related documents.
277 -
Establish any Tenancy by Entirety (jointly owned property, passes to spouse if other dies).
278 -
Determine if any real estate will be gifted to children. Resolve tax or documentation issues.
279 -
Hire handyman for repairs and/or professional stager to clean up house for appraisal/tours.
280 -
Find any real estate appraisals, or if none exist, have completed if needed.
281 -
Review any rental agreements and decide to continue or terminate. Notify renters.
282 -
Notify and transfer any rental contract for renters of deceased-owned property.
283 -
Notify and reconcile any dues with neighborhood, HOA or condo association(s).
284 -
Schedule to continue to pay any mortgages or other expenses during the process.
285 -
Hire real estate broker or agent (if selling the property). Work with them to close the sale.
286 -
Determine if property is being passed to family. Establish the rules and assign payments.
287 -
Sell or transfer ownership of any additional land properties.
288 -
Identify or transfer any titles for home(s). Confirm not encumbered (mortgage, liens).
289 -
For any real estate partnerships, sell or transfer ownership. Review/decide on options.
290 -
Find any property tax records and statements (if not included in mortgage).
291 -
File and pay any taxes on property (eg: ad valorem on personal property).
292 -
Find, transfer or sell any timeshares, fractional ownership or vacation / holiday clubs.
293 -
Find all security related information and devices / items (e.g. keys).
294 -
Obtain and change keys / locks and codes for doors to any residences or other sites.
295 -
Identify and record any home security services & passcodes (e.g. alarm companies).
296 -
Obtain (and change if needed) any keys or codes for safes & locks (e.g. wall safe, bicycle).
297 -
Extract and delete all passwords or encryption retained on devices or software.
298 -
Obtain passwords to access other electronic devices (e.g. mobile phones PCs, tablets).
299 -
Obtain passwords to any LAN(s) or Wifi(s). Shut down if required and return or retain hardware.
300 -
Identify, obtain (and transfer, change or delete) passwords to online websites.
301 -
Identify who lived with them, percent of time, their roles, where in home and how long.
302 -
Review any documentation from the deceased and discuss with family and/or friends.
303 -
Understand related laws regarding contracts and residential rights.
304 -
Discuss the situation with assistants, their understanding and obtain any written materials.
305 -
Obtain an inventory of property (e.g. furniture) in residence, including that of assistant(s).
306 -
Decide if, when the assistant will leave residence, and what transition plan or timing.
307 -
If they are to remain or acquire the residence, create a plan and documentation to facilitate.
308 -
Eliminate any confusion between assistant's property and Estate's, particularly upon departure.
309 -
Monitor & confirm departure of assistant with their property. Obtain keys or security devices.
310 -
Change locks and security codes. Inform any HOA or any management of departure.
311 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information related to their last employer.
312 -
Identify employer and notify their Human Resources department and direct supervisor.
313 -
Coordinate with Human Resources (or other group) for close out process
314 -
Request the Employer EIN (Employer Identification Number).
315 -
Obtain personal effects from their office area or others under company control (e.g. storage).
316 -
Return all company assets (e.g. laptops, keys/badges, phones, vehicles or other equipment).
317 -
Ensure all company information (data, reports, etc.) is returned.
318 -
Confirm there were no wage garnishments, and reconcile if there were.
319 -
Calculate and collect any wages owed from employer.
320 -
Notify and close employer health plan.
321 -
Identify and collect any commissions owed deceased.
322 -
Calculate and collect any vacation compensation owed, if policy allows.
323 -
Identify and collect any expenses owed (e.g. travel).
324 -
Identify and resolve any loans or other debts owed to Employer.
325 -
Identify and obtain any life insurance proceeds provided by an employer.
326 -
Find and obtain any corporate benefits, death benefits or future pension information.
327 -
Investigate any federal or other government employment benefits. Obtain if feasible.
328 -
Identify and collect any other miscellaneous items or amounts owed.
329 -
Recover or transfer any 401k or other plans (403(b), 457).
330 -
Recover deferred compensation outside of stock options, profit-sharing and pensions.
331 -
Recover proceeds from any profit-sharing plans.
332 -
Recover value from warrants or other stock option type items
333 -
Review and recover any value from employer/retirement benefit (pension) plans.
334 -
Find, secure, and understand all documents and information regarding taxes and filings.
335 -
Contact CPA/Accountant(s) to request past 3 years of tax filings and support documents.
336 -
Review information, if documentation not available, request records and transcripts.
337 -
Determine responsible party to file and pay each return. Confirm court approvals if required.
338 -
File Form 2848 Power of Attorney for CPA to contact IRS. (possibly more than one)
339 -
Ensure IRS Form 56 is filed to confirm Personal Representative and any trustee changes.
340 -
Track down all income and sources for Deceased. Collect all current/prior year receipts.
341 -
Obtain or create an EIN for Estate and any new trusts with the IRS.
342 -
Contact State agencies to confirm inheritance filings, with forms to file and deadlines.
343 -
Obtain appraisals of all real property as of the date of death to establish new cost basis.
344 -
Obtain brokerage statements at date of death with valuation of securities for new cost basis.
345 -
Obtain qualified appraisals of personal property held, if of significant value.
346 -
Obtain qualified valuations of any business interests owned to establish new basis of holdings.
347 -
Prepare and file extensions for Federal and State(s) individual income tax returns.
348 -
Prepare and file extensions for Federal and State(s) Estate and Trust income tax returns.
349 -
Complete and file Federal Individual Income Tax Return (1040) for last calendar year.
350 -
Complete and file State Personal Income Tax Return(s) (pre-death income items).
351 -
Obtain IRS gift tax returns (Form 709 for all prior years). This is also the GSTT form.
352 -
Determine if there are any GSTT (Generation Skipping Transfer Tax) issues.
353 -
Determine if required, and if so, file Federal Gift Tax return (Form 709).
354 -
Determine if required, and if so, file State Gift Tax returns.
355 -
Identify and address issues regarding any foreign accounts that are part of the Estate.
356 -
Complete and file Federal Estate Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts. (Form 1041).
357 -
Complete and file State Estate Income Tax Return(s) (post-death income items).
358 -
Complete and file Federal Trust Income Tax Returns (Form 1041).
359 -
Complete and file State Trusts (Income) Tax Return.
360 -
Consider election of estate tax year combining Estate and Trust tax filings (Form 8855).
361 -
Prepare & file extensions for Federal and state(s) Estate Tax returns.
362 -
Complete and file Federal Estate Tax Return (Form 706), if required.
363 -
Complete and file State Estate Tax Return, if required.
364 -
Complete reporting of property to the IRS (Form 8971) within 30 days of filing Form 706.
365 -
File Form 4810 for a prompt assessment and Form 5495 for discharge from personal liability.
366 -
Obtain Tax Inheritance discount for early payment (only in a few states).
367 -
Complete and file any needed State Inheritance Tax Return.
368 -
Identify and pay any other taxes & fees to the City or Town government(s).
369 -
Identify and pay any other taxes & fees to the County government(s).
370 -
Determine if there is any Medicaid Recovery Act liability.
371 -
File Form 4422 to release liens for real estate sales.
372 -
Request IRS transcript for Form 706 filing using Form 4506-T.
373 -
Obtain Estate Tax (Closing) Letters for Federal and the State(s).
374 -
File Form 56, and any state equivalents, for discharge from personal representative role.
375 -
Find, secure, understand all documents on prior Power of Attorney decisions and details.
376 -
Understand who had any Power of Attorney given. Determine scope and actions taken.
377 -
Notify and reach out to anyone who had Power of Attorney and obtain any relevant documents.
378 -
Provide Executor Representative with documents. Affirm their authority in all future matters.
379 -
Conduct a full Asset Search and UCC filings, including real estate.
380 -
Find, secure, understand all documents about the crime related to their death.
381 -
Obtain belongings, money or other items from hospital, home, ambulance or police (at scene).
382 -
Discuss with any lawyers assigned to the case (e.g. Prosecutor, District Attorney).
383 -
Review impact on the estate, particularly if any beneficiaries are known or suspected.
384 -
If crime scene was on deceased property, coordinate the crime scene clean-up activities.
385 -
Investigate any crime victim compensation available (e.g. State Agencies).
386 -
Find and secure all documents regarding country of birth, past foreign citizenships and Visas.
387 -
Determine country of birth and if the deceased had any dual citizenships.
388 -
Obtain any immigration and/or alien registration papers / Visa. Notify the State Department.
389 -
Find any immigration status if still in the courts or in process for consideration.
390 -
Review any issues with spouses and children who are not citizens to qualify for citizenship.
391 -
Request any foreign citizenship documentation and numbers. Notify any foreign governments.
392 -
Determine country of birth and citizenship or Visa status for all spouses and children.
393 -
Review any potential issues in resolving affairs due to citizenship or related issues.
394 -
Find and understand all information regarding on-going or potential legal issues.
395 -
Find their lawyer(s), law firms or legal advisor (e.g. friend). (if they had any)
396 -
Contact their lawyers/law firm to understand current and potential issues (if any).
397 -
Ask friends, family, co-workers, professional services about current/potential legal issues.
398 -
Consult an attorney to see if there is possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit.
399 -
Identify any on-going litigation where Deceased was a plaintiff. Forecast/recover compensation.
400 -
Identify any on-going litigation where Deceased was a defendant. Forecast impacts.
401 -
Identify any potential litigation with Deceased as a plaintiff. Forecast expectations.
402 -
Identify any potential litigation with Deceased as the defendant. Forecast expectations.
403 -
Identify any criminal litigation related to the Deceased, and potential estate impacts.
404 -
Identify any pending criminal actions or cases regarding others with a possible impact.
405 -
Identify potential class action litigation with Deceased as a plaintiff. Forecast expectations.
406 -
Identify on-going class action litigation with Deceased as plaintiff. Forecast expectations.
407 -
Identify any past settlements not yet paid out and impacts of passing on future compensation.
408 -
Obtain belongings or other items from hospital, home, ambulance or police.
409 -
Find, secure, understand all documents on renting/leasing real estate from others.
410 -
Identify any dwellings, storage or other locations where physical goods are stored.
411 -
Find and return any loaned items. Identify and contact the owners for return.
412 -
Find and recover any consigned (or pawned) or borrowed items of the deceased.
413 -
Find and recover any assigned or loaned out items (e.g. to museums, schools).
414 -
Find and dispose of any soon to be perishable products (e.g. food items)
415 -
Find & secure any cash or currency. Log into the estate for disbursement.
416 -
Secure, store & distribute photos (family), videos and ancestry materials.
417 -
Find, pay and return any equipment rentals.
418 -
Find, pay and return any home furnishing rentals.
419 -
Complete/contract appraisals for higher value items, or lots of other items.
420 -
Find, delete and destroy any adult or illegal/controversial (e.g. drugs) items.
421 -
Review and decide on method to bulk sell goods (e.g. garage sale, liquidator).
422 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of antiques.
423 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of appliances.
424 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of art (high value, collectibles and consumer).
425 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of china, crystal and silver
426 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of all clothes & linens.
427 -
Distribute, sell, or donate other collectibles.
428 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of consumer electronics.
429 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of furniture.
430 -
Distribute, sell, donate or redeem gift cards or other awards.
431 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of jewelry.
432 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of lawn/garden (e.g. mowers, snow blowers) items.
433 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of medical & personal equipment.
434 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of sporting goods or outdoor/camping equipment.
435 -
Distribute, sell, donate any sports tickets (e.g. seasons, seats).
436 -
Distribute, sell, donate any theater or entertainment tickets or passes.
437 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of any tools (machine, shop, power, hand).
438 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of videos, DVDs (non-family) and books.
439 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of all other items not listed (e.g. kitchen items).
440 -
Ensure all funds from sales, receipts from donations are logged back into the estate.
441 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding home services.
442 -
Find all current and former addresses for the deceased (at least the last 10 years).
443 -
Change voicemail(s) & answering machines. Create new message to inform of passing.
444 -
Ask someone to answer phone, respond to voicemails/texts or forward to another number.
445 -
Find, stop or transfer any subscriptions for newspapers and magazines.
446 -
Find, pay then close or transfer any cable or satellite TV bill(s).
447 -
Find, pay then close or transfer cellular telephone, wireless or pagers bill(s).
448 -
Find, pay then close or transfer electric utility bill(s).
449 -
Find, pay then close or transfer gas utility bill(s).
450 -
Find, pay then close or transfer heating oil delivery bill(s).
451 -
Find, pay then close or transfer home telephone bill(s).
452 -
Find, pay then close or transfer internet provider bill(s).
453 -
Find, pay then close or transfer lawn & garden (including sprinkler) bill(s).
454 -
Find, pay then close or transfer maid or cleaning bill(s).
455 -
Find, pay then close or transfer handyman or repairman bill(s).
456 -
Find, pay then close or transfer other service provider bill(s) (e.g. septic, chimney, snow).
457 -
Find, pay then close or transfer sewage bill(s) (if separate from water).
458 -
Find, pay then close or transfer trash collection bill(s) (may be government agency).
459 -
Find, pay then close or transfer water account. This could be a government agency.
460 -
Find, pay then close or transfer meal providers (meals on wheels, delivery services, cooks).
461 -
Cease, transfer and get credits for any cooperatives (e.g. food, electricity, etc.)
462 -
Notify, liquidate or transfer any pre-paid service agreements. Recover any eligible refunds.
463 -
Notify, liquidate or transfer any pre-paid warranties. Recover any eligible refunds.
464 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding any firearms.
465 -
Obtain any required combinations or keys for weapon or storage security.
466 -
Search for firearms or storage places, e.g. gun lockers. Gather & secure all.
467 -
Understand if any firearms have state law restrictions or are fully automatic.
468 -
Identify, find and secure any Firearm Licenses. Notify Government agencies.
469 -
Review to see if a Gun Trust had been created.
470 -
Find any replicas, inert explosives or other potentially dangerous items.
471 -
Dispose of firearms and other items through transfer or sale.
472 -
Arrange for disposal of any items not sold or transferred.
473 -
Find, secure, understand all information regarding internet activity & accounts.
474 -
Review emails, bookmarks and any PC files to help identify online accounts of Deceased.
475 -
Create a Digital Legacy, include any materials the Deceased or survivors / friends requested.
476 -
Identify and have access to all social media accounts.
477 -
Post notice on social media. Notify groups where Deceased was an owner or active.
478 -
Shut down any social media accounts to be exited. Save selected media (files, pictures).
479 -
Find, save records and shut down any financial services accounts.
480 -
Find, transfer funds and close online banking/finance accounts (e.g. PayPal/Venmo).
481 -
Find, save files and shut down any online healthcare accounts. (doctor groups, drugs, tracking)
482 -
Find and shut down eCommerce accounts or orders. Locate deliveries & stop auto-orders.
483 -
Save files, and transfer or shut down any storage and file sharing (e.g. Dropbox, iCloud).
484 -
Save files, and transfer or shut down any photo sharing & storage (e.g. Shutterly, Flickr).
485 -
Transfer any online genealogy accounts to a family member (e.g. Ancestry.com).
486 -
Redeem (or transfer) and then shut down any travel, credit card or retailer loyalty accounts.
487 -
Shut down any online books accounts (e.g. Kindle, Audible, Audiobook, Apple Books).
488 -
Shut down any online gaming accounts (e.g. Minecraft, Xbox, PlayStation).
489 -
Shut down any online music services (e.g. Spotify, iTunes, Pandora).
490 -
Shut down any online dating services (e.g. Match, eHarmony). Notify connections of passing.
491 -
Shut down any video streaming and TV services (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, AT&T TV).
492 -
Identify and transfer any websites they owned (e.g. GoDaddy, Newtek).
493 -
Identify and transfer or shut down any hosting services (e.g. Amazon AWS, 1&1, Godaddy).
494 -
Transfer or sell/auction any internet domains. Notify domain registrars (e.g. GoDaddy).
495 -
Shut down or transfer accounts for real estate or asset sharing services (e.g. AirBnB, Turo).
496 -
Shut down all other online accounts (e.g. job search, food delivery, pharmacy cards).
497 -
Find, secure, understand and list all documents related to medical issues and providers.
498 -
Find all information on their Healthcare history, examples: conditions, status, resolutions.
499 -
Identify and notify their Doctors (find General Practitioner, Specialists and Dentist).
500 -
Obtain, pay final and close all doctor bills & accounts.
501 -
Find, notify and pay any psychiatrist and mental health support accounts.
502 -
Notify & close out all other Medical services (home health, therapists, etc.). Pay final bills.
503 -
Find and pay any medical laboratory bills.
504 -
Pay any open hospital bills.
505 -
Find and destroy all prescriptions, medicines and opened OTC medical products.
506 -
Find and cancel all prescriptions, medicines and optometry. Close pharmacies accounts.
507 -
Obtain, close and/or transfer any Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
508 -
Ensure all insurance and other submittals are filed and paid back to the estate.
509 -
Identify and determine if there are any professional or personal service providers to notify.
510 -
Find, secure, understand all information related to charities and other organizations.
511 -
Identify and notify any charities they volunteered with.
512 -
Identify and notify any organizations they gave donations to in the past.
513 -
Establish a crowdfunding site, either for the family or for a charitable cause.
514 -
Agree on, or establish a donation organization for the deceased. Include in public notices.
515 -
Determine if there are any donor advised funds or giving accounts.
516 -
Create a foundation if was the Deceased had desired. Find out if any already exist.
517 -
Identify and resolve any giving programs/matching programs. (i.e. employer, owned business)
518 -
Review any bequests, example, to colleges/schools either on death or being paid over time.
519 -
Ensure any gifts to charities in the will or are executed and documented.
520 -
Determine if will has a residuary clause designating charities. Distribute final proceeds.
521 -
Notify any schools or universities they attended (alma maters).
522 -
Notify, pay or receive refunds for any schools they are currently enrolled in.
523 -
Identify, notify & attempt to redeem or transfer credits from Frequent Flyer / Hotel programs.
524 -
Find and understand all information on groups, activities and professional associations.
525 -
Identify any group leadership roles and responsibilities, including non-for-profit Boards.
526 -
Identify, notify and obtain any benefits from fraternal orders or other similar groups.
527 -
Notify and close any health clubs (gyms, tennis, YMCA) or other (e.g. massage memberships).
528 -
Notify and transfer or exit social clubs (e.g. country club, Lodges (Elk, Moose)).
529 -
Identify, notify and cancel Trade/Industry memberships, professional societies.
530 -
Identify, notify and stop dues for other groups & organizations. (e.g. HOA, political, alumni).
531 -
Sign-up for the Do Not Contact list for marketers and telemarketers.
532 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information on bank accounts and activity.
533 -
Identify the banks where they had accounts or might have had accounts.
534 -
Contact the banks to confirm or research all of the assets and accounts on file.
535 -
Obtain or download account history (12 months if possible). Find autopays & other payments.
536 -
Find and secure any ATM, credit and debit cards.
537 -
Find and secure any checkbooks and passbooks.
538 -
Execute any Transfer on Death (TOD) designations if they were specified.
539 -
Remove name from checks and get new checks re-issued given they may be refused.
540 -
Remove name from joint bank accounts
541 -
Record final transaction date and amount from each account by deceased.
542 -
Find all bank safety deposit boxes, locations, where to find keys, names of authorized users.
543 -
Empty all bank safety deposit boxes and close.
544 -
Notify and close or transfer any autobill against bank accounts (credit cards or credit lines).
545 -
Shut down online banking or redo password. Review local laws and restrictions for this.
546 -
Notify and close bank checking accounts.
547 -
Notify and close bank savings accounts.
548 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information on loans, debts and finances.
549 -
Ask Deceased's family and friends about debts, including personal or non-traditional.
550 -
Determine if the State(s) are Community Property and if there is a surviving spouse.
551 -
Establish a debt claims deadline (each State has different rules). Post in Newspapers.
552 -
Review and pay any claims from other creditors, including those from Newspaper notifications.
553 -
Obtain credit card history for last 12 months if possible from all cards (may be online).
554 -
Obtain credit reports from all three major bureaus. Notify them of death to freeze credit.
555 -
Review all credit card balances, decide which or all to pay and submit payment.
556 -
Notify and shut down all credit card accounts (Majors: VISA, Amex, MasterCard, Diners).
557 -
Notify and close any debit card or pre-paid card accounts. If joint account, remove deceased.
558 -
Pay mortgage(s) until properties are sold or mortgages are transferred.
559 -
Determine if there is a mortgage life insurance policy and obtain proceeds.
560 -
Continue paying mortgages. Pay off or transfer 2nd mortgages or equity lend lines (HELOC).
561 -
Find any reverse mortgages, establish if Deceased was last surviving borrower.
562 -
Payoff reverse mortgage or allow lender to take ownership if last surviving borrower.
563 -
Review any student loan documentation for accounts they paid on or were a cosigner.
564 -
Review any student loans owed being paid by the Deceased for discharge or settlement.
565 -
For loans they cosigned, notify borrower and ensure lender requirements are understood.
566 -
For loans they cosigned, review actions needed and if estate will become new cosigner.
567 -
Determine if the estate needs to pay off any jointly signed loans, or exit liability.
568 -
Find and close out any other bank credit lines.
569 -
Notify and close out any non-bank credit lines (e.g. payday loans).
570 -
Notify and close out any store credit cards (or other non-branded cards).
571 -
Find P2P lending accounts, close out loans, recover any funds owed & delete account.
572 -
Find and close out any outstanding lay-away payments, or return merchandise.
573 -
Find all documents related to non-qualified financial accounts or assets (stocks, bonds).
574 -
Identify any financial planner, wealth manager or brokerage accounts and contacts.
575 -
Identify all financial products and details, along with locations.
576 -
Determine which if any have joint ownership, with whom.
577 -
Obtain Testamentary Letters and/or Death Certificate copies (at least 10) to provide.
578 -
Stop any transactions that have not been executed, if necessary.
579 -
Find, transfer or sell any certificates of deposits.
580 -
Find, transfer or sell any savings bonds.
581 -
Find, transfer or sell any corporate bonds.
582 -
Find, transfer or sell any municipal bonds.
583 -
Find, transfer or sell any treasury bonds or notes.
584 -
Find, transfer or sell any money market funds.
585 -
Find, transfer or sell any mutual funds.
586 -
Find and transfer or sell any annuities. Identify beneficiaries.
587 -
Find, transfer or sell any Treasury Bills (T-Bills).
588 -
Find, transfer or sell any stocks (with certificates).
589 -
Find, transfer or sell all other financial assets. Consult accounts and wealth managers.
590 -
Ensure all accounts related to non-qualified plans are closed out or transferred.
591 -
Find all documents for any qualified financial accounts (Pensions, 401Ks) and IRAs.
592 -
Identify any financial planner, wealth manager or brokerage accounts and contacts.
593 -
Identify all financial products and details, along with locations.
594 -
Determine which if any have joint ownership, with whom.
595 -
Obtain Testamentary Letters and/or Death Certificate copies (at least 10) to provide.
596 -
Transfer or close any 529 Plans. Identify beneficiary and transfer or liquidate.
597 -
Find and sell or transfer any non-Roth IRAs (SEP, Traditional Bank, etc.).
598 -
Find and sell or transfer any Keogh Plans.
599 -
Find and sell or transfer any Roth IRAs.
600 -
Find and liquidate any 403b tax sheltered annuities.
601 -
Find, transfer or sell any other qualified plans not specified. Consult wealth managers.
602 -
Ensure any wealth or brokerage accounts for qualified plans are closed or transferred.
603 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information related to insurance and policies.
604 -
Identify and contact their main Insurance agent/broker, if they had one.
605 -
Find any life insurance policy(s) purchased by Deceased. Find signed contract(s) to collect.
606 -
Find and collect any life insurance from any business they may have been an owner of.
607 -
File to collect any life insurance from their most recent or previous employer(s).
608 -
Find any life insurance policies that are not part of the estate and support collection.
609 -
Find, request, collect/cancel any accident or other related insurance from an employer.
610 -
Find, request, collect/cancel any accidental insurance (payout to cover cost of injury).
611 -
Find, request, collect/cancel any accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
612 -
Find, receive any amounts owed (outstanding reimbursements from healthcare providers).
613 -
Identify and cancel any healthcare, pharmaceutical or dental insurance.
614 -
Identify and cancel any Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance.
615 -
Find, collect any balance (if whole life LTC) and close any long term care insurance.
616 -
Find and collect on any terminal illness healthcare insurance.
617 -
Find and close/liquidate/transfer any life insurance policy the Deceased had on other people.
618 -
Find, continue and/or transfer/close any homeowner/renter insurance.
619 -
Find and cancel any other property insurance policies (e.g. personal article, boat, flood)
620 -
Find, cancel or modify car / auto insurance, including GAP Insurance.
621 -
Find and cancel any umbrella/catastrophe insurance (extra liability insurance).
622 -
Find, collect and cancel any credit or credit card insurance.
623 -
Find, request, cancel/collect any disability policy (payments to cover lost wages).
624 -
Find and collect any outstanding travelers insurance.
625 -
Review all insurance policies and payments, request refunds owed (example pre-payments).
626 -
Ensure any other insurance items not already covered were not forgotten.
627 -
Find, secure and understand all documents for any vehicles and their equipment.
628 -
Create a list of any vehicles with supporting information (e.g. VIN) and locations.
629 -
Confirm ownership of vehicles and identify joint owners or encumbrances.
630 -
Find any vehicle related financial debts (i.e. loans), payment plans or note documentation.
631 -
Gather up any keys or other supporting equipment or devices.
632 -
Find any vehicle maintenance records (e.g. oil change history) and inspection proof/date.
633 -
Determine if any TOD (Transfer on Death) for any vehicles and their registrations.
634 -
Exit or transfer any car/other vehicle leases.
635 -
Sell, distribute or donate vehicles. (e.g. cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, planes).
636 -
Find and transfer car titles.
637 -
Find and transfer other titles (e.g. boat, RV/Recreational Vehicles, plane, motorcycles).
638 -
Find, then transfer or return license plates (depends on disposition of the vehicle(s))
639 -
Find, then return any handicap stickers (if on plate then goes on the plate list item)
640 -
Find, then transfer or cancel/return registrations (depends if selling or giving to someone).
641 -
Find, then return or cancel any parking permits (e.g. office, community).
642 -
Notify, pay, close or transfer tolltag accounts (e.g. toll authority or EZPass).
643 -
Identify, transfer or sell any parking spots or garage spaces (owned).
644 -
Identify, transfer and close any parking spots or garage spaces (rented).
645 -
Find and cancel any automobile club memberships or roadside assistance (e.g. AAA).
646 -
Transfer, close out and recover funds for pre-paid automotive maintenance programs.
647 -
Determine if they had a pilot's license. Notify the FAA.
648 -
Sell, transfer or exit any fractional vehicle ownerships (e.g. planes).
649 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding trusts.
650 -
Create a detailed list of trusts, along with the preliminary attributes of each.
651 -
Obtain or create TINs/EINs for all the trusts, and add to the master trust list.
652 -
For each trust, identify the grantor, objectives, assets included and the beneficiaries.
653 -
Establish the trustee(s) for each, along with any named successor trustees.
654 -
Determine the State or jurisdictional law for each. Review rules in all documents.
655 -
Validate each trust to ensure no complications impacting administration or distribution.
656 -
Confirm any timing provisions and constraints of the trusts, and if any are on-going.
657 -
Determine if each trust is revocable, irrevocable or testamentary.
658 -
Determine if the trusts are simple or complex.
659 -
Determine if any of the trusts are blind, silent or quiet.
660 -
Review the beneficiaries to understand if any of the trusts are pooled or for a group.
661 -
Review the objectives for any spendthrift or special/supplemental needs provisions.
662 -
Review the distributions for any discretionary, flexible or sprinkling clauses or language.
663 -
Confirm all trusts are solvent. Identify potential liabilities, forecast any solvency risks.
664 -
Ensure any funeral insurance trusts are liquidated and funds properly applied.
665 -
Ensure any marital/spousal related trusts are properly administered and distributed.
666 -
Ensure living trusts are properly administered and distributed, including disclaimers.
667 -
Ensure any child/minor/family related trusts are properly administered and distributed.
668 -
Ensure any educaton trusts, including Coverdell ESAs, are administered and distributed.
669 -
Ensure any dynasty trusts (e.g. GST) are properly administered and distributed.
670 -
Ensure any life insurance trusts are properly administered and distributed.
671 -
Ensure any grantor trusts (e.g. GRAT, GRUT, GRIT) are properly administered and distributed.
672 -
Ensure any charitable trusts (e.g. Lead, CRUT, CRAT) are properly administered and distributed.
673 -
Ensure asset protection trusts (Foreign or Domestic) are administered and distributed.
674 -
Ensure Medicaid asset protection trusts (MAPTs) are administered and distributed.
675 -
Identify and distribute any Totten trusts (Payable on Death (POD) bank account).
676 -
Ensure any pet/animal trusts are properly administered and distributed.
677 -
Research any other types of trusts, and ensure properly administered and distributed.
678 -
Determine if there are any constructive or resulting trusts, and ensure resolved properly.
679 -
Ensure Schedule K1s are provided each year to any trust beneficiaries requiring receipt.
680 -
Cancel any Trustee/Surety Bonds no longer needed.
681 -
Determine and identify if they were eligible for any Federal government retirement benefits.
682 -
Find, secure, understand all documents related to any cryptocurrency or DeFI activities.
683 -
Search for cryptocurrencies on any personal off-line storage media.
684 -
Search for cryptocurrencies on any personal on-line accounts (e.g. Coinbase).
685 -
Find any cryptography keys or information to enable access. Identify others who have them.
686 -
Determine ownership stakes for any joint holdings for the estate.
687 -
Determine cost and market value of all cryptocurrencies or DeFi owned.
688 -
Decide whether to liquidate or transfer all cryptocurrencies or DeFi assets to beneficiaries.
689 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information on owned or invested businesses.
690 -
Identify and find any business interests held, financial statements and contracts, etc.
691 -
Search for corporate entities that they associated with.
692 -
Determine ownership level in each business, their structure and legal basis.
693 -
Review Will or other documents for directions on disposition of business ownership and assets.
694 -
Find any Buy Sell Agreements for the businesses.
695 -
Identify any Trusts, existing or planned for after death (e.g. grantor retained, charitable).
696 -
Determine ownership of any individual assets requiring review (jointly held, with whom).
697 -
Find and clarify any warranties or guaranties for any assets that are to be kept or sold.
698 -
Identify, close or transfer any debts between the Deceased and the businesses.
699 -
Find or request a valuation of each business and their ownership when required.
700 -
Return any company physical assets (e.g. personal computers, vehicles or other equipment).
701 -
Obtain any assets or compensation due from all owned businesses.
702 -
Ensure Deceased's share of any Accounts Receivable is received or will be in future.
703 -
Return all information (e.g. reports, data) to companies from offsite or home locations.
704 -
Find and resolve any open contracts for businesses which Deceased was involved.
705 -
Modify, collect or cancel any business insurance policies (e.g. D&O, E&O, Key Man, etc.).
706 -
Find, close and transfer any in-process work or deals involving the Deceased.
707 -
Decide on transaction(s) needed regarding the business (e.g. transfer, liquidation).
708 -
Sell and distribute the assets and/or the possessions of companies to be liquidated.
709 -
Identify and transfer any titles for buildings/offices or other major assets.
710 -
Identify, transfer or close/cancel any dba/fbn if required.
711 -
Transfer or sell any domains (internet) related to businesses they owned or controlled.
712 -
Transfer, close or liquidate any MLM downline (inform company, settle balance).
713 -
Identify and exit Partnerships, LP & LLCs. Review partnership agreement(s) for guidance.
714 -
Identify and close any S-Corps.
715 -
Identify and close any Sole Proprietorships.
716 -
Confirm all businesses were either exited or closed.
717 -
Find and understand all documents and information on family roles in businesses.
718 -
Discuss and confirm details of family involvement with family and business employees.
719 -
Confirm the business(es) qualify as family businesses.
720 -
Evaluate individual(s) who will inherit the business for past & planned company roles.
721 -
Review any succession plan(s) or instructions. Discuss with other owners.
722 -
Decide how to sell, transfer or gift the business to the inheritor.
723 -
Review and understand any preparations the Deceased took regarding tax implications.
724 -
Review and ensure all other owned businesses items are closed out.
725 -
Find, secure all documents and information for unions, profession, trade or licenses.
726 -
Notify any license issuers of their passing. Ensure payments stopped.
727 -
Establish if they were ever a union member, identify union, which branch and number.
728 -
Discover if union has any benefits or pension. Notify union of Deceased's passing.
729 -
Identify any professional trade organization membership. Check for benefits, notify.
730 -
Obtain and review all documents (e.g. 1099s) and information for any additional employment.
731 -
Identify any contract work, gig services, web platforms, temporary or staffing firms.
732 -
Research all potential non-full-time employers and contact/notify of passing.
733 -
Request copies of any tax documentation to be sent to the Executor or Accountants.
734 -
For professional services, inform both current and recent/past clients.
735 -
Exit any in-process proposals or projects. Deliver interim work. Obtain partial compensation.
736 -
Determine if the deceased had any property due or open requirements for any of firms.
737 -
Determine if any money is owed to the deceased. Facilitate its collection.
738 -
Deactivate and delete any Gig work accounts, including online. Execute close-out process(es).
739 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding previous employers.
740 -
Establish if they had any prior employers. Review records, ask family.
741 -
Identify and obtain any life insurance proceeds provided by prior employer(s).
742 -
Find out and obtain any corporate benefits, or death benefits.
743 -
Investigate any Federal or other government employment benefits. Obtain if feasible.
744 -
Recover 401k or other plans (403(b), 457).
745 -
Identify and review any past pension records with former employer(s).
746 -
Recover employer/retirement benefit (pension) plans from past employer(s).
747 -
Execute or transfer stock options.
748 -
Recover value from warrants or other stock option type items.
749 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information for any intellectual property.
750 -
Determine if they had licensed any of their own IP, or were licensing any IP from others.
751 -
Determine if they had transferred ownership of any intellectual property they held.
752 -
Identify if there are any terms/restrictions of use instructions from the deceased.
753 -
Identify any designations of transfer (e.g. in the will), including the beneficiary and IP.
754 -
Review all known intellectual property to determine if sole owners, or if not, with who.
755 -
Find and transfer/sell any copyrights or materials with copyrights.
756 -
Determine if they had any inventions, their ownership and what to do/who to transfer to.
757 -
Find and transfer/sell any awarded patents.
758 -
Find and transfer/sell any royalties from awarded patents.
759 -
Identify and transfer/continue/abandon any patent applications currently in process.
760 -
Find and transfer/sell any awarded trademarks they owned.
761 -
Find and transfer/sell any royalties from issued trademarks.
762 -
Identify and transfer/continue/abandon any trademark applications currently in process.
763 -
Find and transfer/sell any royalties from likeness, image, name (for celebrities).
764 -
Find and transfer/sell any royalties from songs, movies, TV shows, plays, books, games, etc.
765 -
Find & discuss any trade secrets, and their uses and options. Transfer/license if applicable.
766 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased had any crowdfunding accounts.
767 -
Find, secure, understand all information regarding any non-litigation legal issues.
768 -
Find and obtain any Legal Plans compensation support available from all sources.
769 -
Search bankruptcy records, if deemed applicable. Federal Court records will have these.
770 -
Search for liens and judgments.
771 -
Identify and settle any court judgments (i.e. debts).
772 -
Identify then transfer or sell any court judgments (i.e. awards).
773 -
Identify then transfer or exit any contracts (open personal, not owned businesses or employer).
774 -
Identify and document any Tax Issues, including from past returns.
775 -
Find and secure all documents on Federal government benefits or agencies to notify.
776 -
Confirm Federal government agencies requiring notification to resolve benefits.
777 -
Notify Post Office (USPS) and private mail locations of death, cancel any P.O. Boxes.
778 -
Submit a mail forwarding address to USPS and others if vacating a home.
779 -
Identify and collect residual funds, including Medicaid burial benefits, from MSAs and HSAs.
780 -
Notify Social Security Administration, and ensure they are aware of military service.
781 -
Return final Social Security check. (SSA does not prorate for month of death).
782 -
Request Social Security Survivor Benefits (not one time death benefit, but for spouses/kids).
783 -
Collect Social Security one time death/funeral benefit (if applicable and survivors qualify).
784 -
Research and obtain any unclaimed property (e.g. Government, other sources).
785 -
Inform the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in writing.
786 -
Notify and close any Medicaid account.
787 -
Notify and close any Medicare account. Recover any due reimbursement funds.
788 -
Contact United States Treasury to check if registered owners of any bonds or other assets.
789 -
Inform Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for any current or future pension issues.
790 -
Close out or transfer benefits due from Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).
791 -
Notify Department of Agriculture and transfer/cancel SNAP (i.e. food stamps) or other benefits.
792 -
Notify Health & Human Services regarding changes / transfer to any TANF payments or account.
793 -
Notify U.S. Fish & Wildlife regarding any hunting licenses or stamps.
794 -
Notify any Federal agencies where the deceased had security clearances, and also the FBI.
795 -
Close out any loans, grants or other provisions provided for other emergencies with the IRS.
796 -
Close out any loans, grants or other provisions provided by FEMA for disaster relief.
797 -
Cancel National Park Service membership.
798 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information on veteran or survivor status.
799 -
Find Military service papers, including discharge records.
800 -
Find the Veterans’ benefit records & VA number (Veteran Affairs Identification Number).
801 -
Search for additional information (e.g. military unit, groups, ships). Decide on informing.
802 -
Determine if Veteran Cemetery desired by deceased or family. Request evaluation to qualify.
803 -
Arrange for Veteran headstone, marker or medallion for their grave.
804 -
Request Burial Plot Interment Allowance. The form is VA 21P-530.
805 -
Request Military Honors at the burial, including a burial flag.
806 -
Request Veteran's Insurance (examples are VGLI, FSGLI, VMLI, SGLI, S-DVI).
807 -
Request Veteran's Administration (VA) Survivor Benefits. (e.g. Survivors Pension)
808 -
Close out or transfer their PX (Post Exchange) account(s).
809 -
Contact Casualty Assistance Office if they died on active duty.
810 -
Investigate and obtain Wartime Service Pension (if applicable).
811 -
Investigate and request Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.
812 -
Contact Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) to check for benefits. (e.g. AMVETS, VFW)
813 -
Notify DFAS (Defense Finance & Accounting Service) with respect to any benefits administered.
814 -
Determine if they had a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).
815 -
Determine if survivors can continue to receive healthcare (e.g. TRICARE).
816 -
Investigate and apply for tax forgiveness, if available.
817 -
Review Department of Veteran Affairs information to find any other benefits.
818 -
Contact other military organizations for support (e.g. AER, AFAS, NMCRS)
819 -
Find all documents on State or local government benefits or agencies to notify.
820 -
Confirm State and local government agencies to notify and to resolve any benefits.
821 -
Notify the State Department of Health. This may be part of the Death Certificate process.
822 -
Notify the city/town government and Tax Office.
823 -
Notify the county government, Commissioner and Tax Office.
824 -
Investigate and collect any State burial benefits (varies by state).
825 -
Investigate and collect any county burial benefits (varies by county).
826 -
Notify State workforce agency. (i.e. unemployment)
827 -
Notify State Welfare agency to cancel or transfer State assistance programs.
828 -
Notify State and local agencies regarding any housing assistance programs.
829 -
Notify State department of revenue or State revenue agency (e.g. Texas Comptroller's Office).
830 -
Notify the State Office of Financial Recovery or equivalent State agency.
831 -
Notify the State agency for both crime victim and worker's compensation, if applicable.
832 -
Cancel voter registration(s) (at county level, with exceptions at city level).
833 -
Find, pay then close or transfer water account. (if local government agency)
834 -
Find and obtain (State, local) government benefits owed, government funds or property.
835 -
Notify and State or local hunting license issuer.
836 -
Transfer or sell any business or commercial licenses.
837 -
Contact library to close account(s), ensure all books were returned.
838 -
Find and close any transportation (e.g. buses/subway) passes.
839 -
Find, secure, understand any documents related to disabilities or related benefits.
840 -
Establish, as best as possible, type and timing of disabilities.
841 -
Notify, stop and/or transfer any Federal disability payments. (SSDI and SSI).
842 -
Notify, stop and/or transfer any State (supplementary to Federal) disability payments.
843 -
Notify, stop and/or transfer any Veteran disability payments.
844 -
Notify, stop and/or transfer any other (e.g. private, charity) disability payments.
845 -
Identify and stop any Worker's Compensation payments (e.g. Indemnity, Impairment).
846 -
Identify and stop any Worker's Compensation payments from any previous employer.
847 -
Identify and secure any major disability related equipment, (e.g. scooters, respirators).
848 -
Transfer, return or donate major disability related equipment. (e.g. scooters)
849 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding any criminal issues.
850 -
Search for and obtain their criminal record(s). Focus search on specific geographies.
851 -
Determine if they were on parole or under in-house arrest. Notify parole officer or agency.
852 -
Recover any bail or resolve any bail bond agreements.
853 -
Notify any police departments with criminal warrants for their arrest.
854 -
Look into expunging their criminal record. May require a close relative to submit.
855 -
Find their computer(s), and any others they used but did not own.
856 -
Look for additional accessories (e.g. hard drives, thumb drives, peripherals).
857 -
Obtain any passwords to access computers.
858 -
Find/gather any software manuals or other supporting information.
859 -
Search for any software keys or other ownership proof/access (in electronic or printed form).
860 -
Determine disposition (keep/transfer, donate, sell), and to whom if known.
861 -
Check for any online storage accounts, e.g. Google Drive, for storage. Save & delete.
862 -
Field requests from family and friends on files to search for and pass, or delete.
863 -
Review computer for possible inclusions in digital legacy or support for ceremonies.
864 -
Determine people to give files to and for which topics (finances, business, family history).
865 -
Decide and delete files not needed by other parties (e.g. non-relevant PII, other).
866 -
Save or transfer files for family or other recipients on to storage medium(s).
867 -
Delete 'search history' from browsers and cookies from hard drives.
868 -
For donate, sell and transfer, ensure the hard drive is completely erased.
869 -
Deliver appropriate electronic files to identified family or friends. Record delivery.
870 -
Find all mobile devices, identify models, payment information and related information.
871 -
Obtain passwords to access mobile devices and key applications.
872 -
Determine and execute device disposition (keep/transfer, donate, sell), and recipients.
873 -
Check for any online storage accounts, e.g. Google Drive, for storage. Save & delete.
874 -
Ask family and friends about types of files (e.g. pictures) to search for, preserve or delete.
875 -
Search mobile devices for possible digital legacy materials or support for the services.
876 -
Determine who to give files or transfer accounts to, and for which topics (e.g. finances).
877 -
Identify and delete files not to be preserved (e.g. embarrassing, confidential).
878 -
Prepare to transfer applications and data for beneficiary or new mobile owner.
879 -
For donate and sell, and possibly transfer, ensure the mobile device is completely erased.
880 -
Deliver electronic files to identified family members or friends. Record recipients.
881 -
Review email clients and documentation to identify email accounts.
882 -
Find all passwords for emails, or identify ones stored inside software.
883 -
List all email accounts, both current and past, along with passwords.
884 -
Notify address list(s) of the passing of the deceased.
885 -
Download and save their email address lists.
886 -
Create an auto-response to inform contacts of passing and account shutdowns.
887 -
Save/download emails and attachments. Deliver to chosen surviving recipient.
888 -
Set-up email forwarding to review incoming emails.
889 -
Shut down all email address. Timing of shutdowns could differ.
890 -
Identify and determine if anyone owed the Deceased money.
891 -
Determine if the Deceased held or cosigned for any SBA loans and work to resolve.
892 -
Determine if the Deceased was part of a carpool or ride sharing program.
893 -
Determine if the Deceased held any physical precious metals or ownership certificates.
894 -
Determine and identify any theft monitoring services that the Deceased may have had.
895 -
Determine if the Deceased was a member of any board of directors for company or charity.
896 -
Review any email/group lists, discuss with friends or find any published work and their blogs.
897 -
Advise and transfer any blogs or writing contributions. Identify and contact recipients.
898 -
Notify any paying clients for writing. Recover money owed & provide any work-in-progress.
899 -
Notify any groups they wrote for or contributed to, and provide any work-in-progress materials.
900 -
Capture and transfer any mailing lists and hand-off responsibilities.
909 -
Determine if they held any foreign assets, location and needed to transfer or liquidate.
910 -
Determine if the Deceased was ever a teacher and if due any benefits.
911 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased had any lottery winnings or respective annuities.
912 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased was a member of a Native American tribe.
913 -
Find, secure, understand all information regarding land or mineral rights.
914 -
Determine if they had transferred ownership or leased any mineral rights.
915 -
Identify any designations of transfer (e.g. in will), including beneficiary.
916 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Gas Rights.
917 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Gas Royalties.
918 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Oil Rights.
919 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Oil Royalties.
920 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Mineral Rights.
921 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Mineral Royalties.
922 -
Transfer/sell any Land, Structures or Producing Assets.
923 -
Determine if death was work related and any worker's compensation benefits eligibility.
924 -
Review any name changes and decide which to put where, both desired and regulated.
925 -
Confirm name to be on their death certificate.
926 -
Establish or confirm wishes for current gender designation and name.
927 -
Confirm decision to exclude prior name and/or gender in any public announcements.
928 -
Confirm name(s) to be on plaques or headstones, and for grave databases & registries.
929 -
Determine if they were in process of writing any books, plays or other literary efforts.
930 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased had multiple wills or a foreign will.
931 -
Determine if Deceased had any inventions, other intellectual property that was not patented.
932 -
Determine if the Deceased owned or cared for any livestock that was not part of a farm.
933 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased had an Ethical Will.
934 -
Determine if the Deceased or survivors have any potential eligibility for mining benefits.
935 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased had an ideas list or creations that were in-process.
936 -
Determine if Deceased wished for cryonics, head freezing or any other storage of body parts.
937 -
Determine if the Deceased wished for a burial at sea.
938 -
Determine if the Deceased or survivors are eligible for railroad benefits.
939 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased owned or leased a farm or had any crops.
940 -
Determine if there was a conservatorship and obtain assets and accounting.
941 -
Determine if they owned any timberlands.
901 -
Find and review all documents on any private companies or sophisticated financial assets.
902 -
Find and transfer or liquidate any restricted stock.
903 -
Find and transfer or liquidate any closely held stock or privately owned company stock.
904 -
Find and transfer or liquidate any private equity investments.
905 -
Find and transfer or liquidate any hedge fund investments.
906 -
File or transfer any membership certificates (e.g. for Limited Liability Companies).
907 -
Reconcile any collateral obligations or secured Items against estate.
908 -
Ensure that all transactions are properly recorded for both beneficiaries and taxes.
Select 2nd Item *
Select Item 2
1 -
If out of country death, speak with Bureau of Consular Affairs and obtain legal representative.
2 -
Identify the two funeral homes involved and establish contacts at each.
3 -
Obtain required paperwork for transport of the body. (e.g. Death Certificate)
4 -
Ensure appropriate State regulations are followed for the States involved (e.g. embalming)
5 -
Determine if ground transportation is feasible, or if air will be used.
6 -
Coordinate body transportation (air & ground) back to home city funeral home.
7 -
Arrange for transfer from air or rail to local transport to funeral home (if required).
8 -
Confirm receipt of body and required documentation at home city funeral home.
9 -
Understand any religious or other customs and their impacts on related Items.
10 -
Determine if the Deceased wanted to donate their body to science or a body farm.
11 -
Discuss issue with spouse or other close family, and wishes. May have veto ability.
12 -
Check for an organ donor card or state organ registry (Department of Public Safety or DMV).
13 -
Follow-up to ensure specific organ or tissue donation executed or attempted to be executed.
14 -
Obtain confirmation of donation and any other details (e.g. recipients) for future reference.
15 -
Return body to family for burial. Arrange delivery to funeral home.
16 -
Determine if an autopsy was requested or required. Coordinate with officials.
17 -
Find and understand pre-paid funeral contracts or Funeral Insurance (aka Burial, Pre-Need).
18 -
Obtain funds from pre-paid contracts and insurance policies. Determine usage of proceeds.
19 -
Check for any funeral contributions from employers, organizations or retirement plans.
20 -
Determine if the grave / plot or columbarium has been selected.
21 -
Determine if the grave / plot or columbarium was already paid for, either fully or partially.
22 -
Find any instructions confirming cremation decisions, including any religious protocols.
23 -
Decision made on ashes to be interred, scattered or kept.
24 -
Inform funeral home/director of cremation decision.
25 -
Schedule any viewing of the deceased, if desired, before cremation.
26 -
Schedule the cremation.
27 -
Confirm who will witness the cremation.
28 -
Confirm the cremation was completed. Deliver personal effects to survivors.
29 -
Obtain the encased ashes.
30 -
Decide/identify location and spread ashes (if desired final decision). (1st Option)
31 -
Select & purchase an urn, ensure any religious affiliation compliance considered.
32 -
Deliver ashes to family member or other person (if the final decision) (2nd Option)
33 -
Send ashes to recipients via delivery service (e.g. USPS).
34 -
Transport and accompany ashes on a commercial airline.
35 -
If ashes are to be interred, determine the location (e.g. columbarium). (3rd Option)
36 -
Reserve and pay for location for the ashes.
37 -
Decide on information for plaque (e.g. Deceased name, dates, etc.)
38 -
Obtain plaque for urn location and have affixed.
39 -
Bury/inter ashes in the urn or other vessel in chosen location.
40 -
Register columbarium details with cemetery database and online databases.
41 -
Find, secure and understand any instructions confirming burial instructions/decisions.
42 -
Decide and request the body be embalmed (or not).
43 -
Decide on clothing & styling for body, ensure completed properly. Follow any religious protocols.
44 -
Select and pay for a casket, ensure complies with any religious specifications.
45 -
Decide if either a burial vault or grave liner is desired, and purchase.
46 -
Select a cemetery. Options include traditional, memorial parks or religion based.
47 -
Understand maintenance plans and any future required payments or fees.
48 -
Choose and purchase a grave plot (or determine if already selected and/or purchased).
49 -
Decide on information for headstones or plaque (e.g. name, dates, etc.).
50 -
Purchase headstone, plaque or marker & accessories.
51 -
Register grave details with cemetery database and online databases.
52 -
Find all documents for the Deceased's wishes on content and placement for public notice.
53 -
Determine if Deceased wrote or provided guidance on contents or a writer. Designate an editor.
54 -
Agree and approve of obituary and other public announcement wording.
55 -
Notify their place(s) of worship of their passing. (Ceremony coordination is in another item.)
56 -
Determine the guest list and publish service and / or send invitations.
57 -
Decide on a charity for donations in memory of the Deceased. List in publications and obituary.
58 -
Create a Crowdfunding listing either for the family and expenses, or a favorite charity.
59 -
Review any Crowdfunding sites created in the name of the Deceased, and ensure reputable.
60 -
Publish legal notice about the Estate for creditors if probate requires it.
61 -
Select Newspapers and request publication of obituary. Inform survivors of timing.
62 -
Write and post online notices of their passing (e.g. Legacy.com, Facebook).
63 -
Track and respond to any donations or gifts sent in honor of the deceased.
64 -
Find and understand any expressed desires of deceased related to a funeral service.
65 -
Identify and agree upon inclusion of any religious protocols for the service(s).
66 -
Reserve the location (e.g. place of worship, residence) and time. Coordinate with clergy.
67 -
Arrange for the body/casket to be transported to the location. Coordinate for graveside as well.
68 -
Coordinate spiritual leader(s) (e.g. preachers, priest, clergy, minister).
69 -
Request and coordinate with other speakers (e.g. family members for readings).
70 -
Decide and agree on any readings or other details for the service.
71 -
Request performer(s) for ceremony (e.g. singers, musicians). Decide on music.
72 -
Request and confirm pallbearers participation at service venue.
73 -
Determine the guest list and publish service and / or send invitations.
74 -
Create a registration book for the service.
75 -
Request cards (e.g. prayer cards) be made for the deceased.
76 -
Decide if open or closed casket during the service.
77 -
Coordinate clothing, jewelry and make-up instructions (e.g. uniforms).
78 -
Order or request flowers, plants or candles for the service.
79 -
Inform and schedule deliveries for recipient(s) of flowers and other items from all ceremonies.
80 -
Create or provide any videos or pictures for the service.
81 -
Hire a house-sitter for time of funeral (burglaries can be an issue).
82 -
Complete the memorial service.
83 -
Recover any items from the casket not to be buried (e.g. jewelry). Return to Estate.
84 -
Execute handoff (casket, transportation, motorcade) from service to graveside.
85 -
Find and understand any visitation instructions or preferences indicated by Deceased.
86 -
Identify and agree upon inclusion of any religious protocols for the viewing(s).
87 -
Determine if there will be multiple events (e.g. a visitation, post-Celebration of Life).
88 -
Decide on venue(s) for each and reserve, contract and pay.
89 -
Schedule a day(s) and time(s) for the visitation.
90 -
Schedule a day(s) and time(s) for the other events.
91 -
Decide if there will be a casket or urn, or no remains present at visitation.
92 -
Decide if open or closed casket (if casket is to be present).
93 -
Determine the guest list & invitees for all events.
94 -
Send invitations, reach out to invitees or publish the invitation to the events.
95 -
Decide and arrange any food, drink, music, flowers, videos, speakers or other event details.
96 -
Determine and inform recipient(s) of any leftover food or flowers. Arrange/coordinate delivery.
97 -
Ensure all contracts and bills related to events are paid/settled.
98 -
Decide if a graveside ceremony was in deceased wishes or family preference.
99 -
Include or communicate with desired invitees if contiguous with funeral.
100 -
Coordinate any procession, traffic, route or police escort issues with body transport.
101 -
Provide for any family travel to and from grave site.
102 -
Provide for transportation of other people (if required).
103 -
Request and confirm pallbearers requirement at graveside.
104 -
Invite officiant or other speakers. (Possibly same as memorial service).
105 -
Agree on any scriptures or other readings desired.
106 -
Request presence of the pallbearers (if required)
107 -
Deliver (and retrieve) any pictures, videos, memorials and flowers.
108 -
Request honor guard with bugler (if veteran).
109 -
Establish all possible names for the deceased for research, publications and informing.
110 -
Find, understand and list all documents found at deceased's residences, storage & work.
111 -
Request documents from their relatives and professional service providers. Create a list.
112 -
Review for any final instructions from deceased and/or Designated Agent forms.
113 -
Find and review any Healthcare Directive, Medical Directive or Living Will.
114 -
Identify and establish any name changes and related court documents.
115 -
Request or confirm Death Registration to County (Funeral Home should do/file).
116 -
Obtain Death Certificate (Certificate of Death Abstract), at least 10 copies.
117 -
Obtain a burial or cremation permit (funeral home should complete/file).
118 -
Identify, notify and speak with Healthcare Proxy / HIPPA agent.
119 -
Identify and deliver any personal letters for post-death distribution.
120 -
Find birth certificates (of all close family members).
121 -
Obtain credit reports and notify all 3 Credit Reporting Agencies. Provide Death Certificates.
122 -
Find and secure income related documents and statements for the current year.
123 -
Find and secure any IRS income tax returns (for the current and previous year).
124 -
Find and secure any other IRS, Financial or Legal documents.
125 -
Find and secure their Social Security card, or if unavailable, their Social Security number.
126 -
Find, return and cancel their Passport(s).
127 -
Find, notify and return driver’s license to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
128 -
Make scans of documents, deliver or store for future access and identify who may need them.
129 -
Shred & dispose of all other paperwork when finished.
130 -
Determine if a will exists (first option)
131 -
Confirm there was not a valid will. (2nd option)
132 -
Review will (and amendments) for key information (e.g. assets, executor(s), beneficiaries).
133 -
Decide if filing for probate is required.
134 -
Establish state(s), and their laws, including UPC, will validity and intestate rules.
135 -
Determine what assets will not be part of probate. (e.g. trusts, TOD, joint assets)
136 -
Determine if any ancillary probates will be required. (e.g. for real estate in a 2nd state)
137 -
Evaluate if a Small Estate Administration or Affidavit is available, desired and feasible.
138 -
Determine if any executors (representatives, administrator) or backups were named.
139 -
Deliver documents to the court, including the will, proof of death form and death certificate.
140 -
Review list of beneficiaries in the will, contact each. Contact additional relatives.
141 -
Determine if any minors are in the will, establish a representative.
142 -
Obtain a waiver from beneficiaries for the bond and for Independent Administration.
143 -
Post notice of probate in the newspaper, courthouse & any databases. May be required.
144 -
Address any objections to the will or other issues.
145 -
For intestate (no will), hire attorney for unknown heirs & identify disinterested witnesses.
146 -
Have the will validated by court.
147 -
Confirm court has authorized someone for probate process, including an administrator.
148 -
Court issues Letters of Authority, Testamentary or Independent Executorship
149 -
Register any trusts. May not be compulsory, varies by state.
150 -
Get an EIN for the estate from the IRS. Will be required to file some tax forms.
151 -
Open estate bank account. May not need to do if Executor or others had a joint account.
152 -
Create estate brokerage accounts with financial planners for estate or beneficiaries.
153 -
Post a Bond, unless not required or court advises not to.
154 -
Collect, secure and maintain all property related to the Estate.
155 -
Take inventory of all of the assets. Enlist professional help if needed.
156 -
Identify and provide notice to all known creditors.
157 -
Provide proof of contact and public notice for beneficiaries and creditors.
158 -
Pay necessary fees and all valid claims of debts. Pay any specific bequests from the will.
159 -
Close probate and submit to court, receive permission to distribute remaining assets
160 -
Distribute remaining assets. Obtain receipts and file with courts to prove distribution.
161 -
Pay final executor fees and expenses.
162 -
Prepare and submit a final accounting of the Estate. Send to beneficiaries and creditors.
163 -
Prepare and submit probate closing statement to the court.
164 -
Obtain a release from duties for the Executor or Representative.
165 -
Close the estate bank account.
166 -
Identify the pets of the deceased, with the number and types, names, ages, etc.
167 -
Find any instructions made by deceased for their wishes regarding their pet(s).
168 -
Find, secure and understand any additional documents (e.g. adoption, sale, birth).
169 -
Identify and contact the emergency caregiver(s) for pets.
170 -
Find and secure any certified pedigree certificates (for breed/heritage proof).
171 -
Establish if pet is subject to any breed specific legislation (e.g. aggressive breeds).
172 -
Identify if any pets are exotics, have licensing requirements or restrictions.
173 -
Find any microchips and/or identification database registries and tracking numbers.
174 -
Locate and secure pets if with others / boarded, or ensure continuation until transition.
175 -
Identify and cancel any in-process pet adoptions.
176 -
Return any animals if they are a foster or were being cared for temporarily.
177 -
Set-up allowances for day-to-day care of pet before long-term transition.
178 -
Determine if the Will has a provision for pet as a beneficiary or funds for care.
179 -
Identify if there is a trust for the pet(s) or other animals, or to create one.
180 -
Determine disposition of any remaining funds after pet's death and where funds are to go.
181 -
Notify the Veterinarian(s), obtain records, keep informed of the process and transition.
182 -
Receive & transfer (to caretaker) any medical or pharma records, pharmaceuticals or OTC.
183 -
Transfer pets to permanent caretaker or to designated shelter or charity if any.
184 -
Identify/inform backup long-term caretaker, if specified. Possibly a shelter, foster.
185 -
Continue, end or transition any dog walking services. Ensure bills are continued or paid.
186 -
Continue, end or transition any pet boarding/sitting services. Settle payments.
187 -
Cancel or transition any pet food delivery (e.g. Chewy, Amazon, Petco, PetSmart)
188 -
Close out accounts on any pet websites (e.g. Wag!, brokers for sitting, walking etc.)
189 -
Cancel/settle any accounts with Pet stores.
190 -
Transition any pet products to caretaker (not in estate) (e.g. toys, carriers, supplies).
191 -
Notify, settle and/or transition any other services (e.g. grooming, training).
192 -
Cancel or transition any pet liability insurance (in case they do any damage).
193 -
Cancel or transition any pet medical insurance (for illnesses, procedures, etc.)
194 -
Find and review all information on their family, friends, associates & beneficiaries.
195 -
Obtain names and contact information of closest family (all heirs) and friends.
196 -
Create chart with current and former spouse(s), parents, children, grandchildren.
197 -
Build a master list with everyone involved with contact information, especially relatives.
198 -
Find and communicate the deceased's passing to master list with their beneficiary status.
199 -
Refer family and friends to grieving support & counselors.
200 -
Review the Will and/or State laws to identify beneficiaries.
201 -
Ensure no specific disinheritance language exists, and determine any impact or legal validity.
202 -
Contact all beneficiaries listed/identified. Determine for each if direct or an alternate.
203 -
Determine if there is a provision for a residuary beneficiary and if yes, identify.
204 -
Determine if any beneficiaries are bankrupt. Understand court and creditor issues.
205 -
Identify and pay any family allowances from estate (e.g. divorce, child support).
206 -
Find and understand all details of marriages, divorces and domestic partnerships.
207 -
Understand if State(s) uses community property or common law, plus other legal concerns.
208 -
Identify if there is a surviving spouse.
209 -
Find and resolve any community property agreements (splits without an official divorce).
210 -
Find and understand any survivorship agreements.
211 -
Determine if there was a simultaneous death issue.
212 -
Identify any past marriages, ex-spouses (if alive/remarried), and timing and resolutions.
213 -
Confirm any unmarried partners, LGBT, common law, other similar issues. Determine impacts.
214 -
Confirm marriage licenses or certificate information, include prior ones.
215 -
Obtain, confirm and review any Domestic Partnership Registration and/or agreements.
216 -
Find and review any nuptial agreements (e.g. pre-nuptials). Determine validity and impacts.
217 -
Identify and resolve any divorce issues and documentation (e.g. property settlements).
218 -
Identify and settle any alimony / spousal support. Determine estate's liability.
219 -
Confirm spouse(s) were US citizens, and if not review tax and other issues (e.g. QDOT).
220 -
Obtain and review all documents on children and dependents. Review for guardian decisions.
221 -
Determine who all of their children and dependents are, and key information on each.
222 -
For adopted or foster children, find court documents and notify agencies if required.
223 -
For children living with them, determine any custody/living changes (i.e. single parent).
224 -
For minors, establish guardians for day-to-day needs of children and their finances/support.
225 -
Confirm and/or establish long-term guardians for any minor children or dependents.
226 -
Find and decide to continue any daycare/childcare services or transfer to new caretaker.
227 -
Identify any disinheritance issues with any children. Understand the State laws.
228 -
Determine if any children or dependents are not US citizens, and understand impacts.
229 -
Establish who and how any property conveyed to children will be managed (e.g. trusts).
230 -
Identify any child support in place, including documents, payments and how they worked.
231 -
Ensure no other family allowances from estate. Obtain any recipients and amounts.
232 -
Notify schools (K-12, colleges) of any children. Pay balances owed and arrange for continuity.
233 -
Notify any car pools and children's key friends' parents.
234 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information for any special needs children.
235 -
Identify any special needs dependents or children, and details of needs and situations.
236 -
Ensure special needs children & dependents receive proper benefits (e.g. long-term care).
237 -
Confirm chosen guardian has been notified and is ready to take over the role.
238 -
Establish proper caretaker or professionals, or transition to new interface.
239 -
Ensure any SSI (Supplemental Security Income) continues after Deceased's death.
240 -
Ensure that they receive any SSDI (Social Security Disability Income).
241 -
Confirm continuation of any State level disabled support benefits.
242 -
Confirm continuation of any Local (County, City, Town) level disabled support benefits.
243 -
Confirm continuation of any charity disabled support benefits.
244 -
Find/create a trust for special needs children or dependents (if requested or needed).
245 -
Communicate medication, health instruction or medical provider information to new caregivers.
246 -
Transfer medical support items or devices and documentation to new caregivers.
247 -
Determine if any professional clean up is necessary where the Deceased passed.
248 -
Find & understand all documents and information on legal & accounting professionals.
249 -
Identify and obtain contact information for key professionals.
250 -
Identify Executor or Representative choice. Contact them for coordination.
251 -
Contact Attorney, determine roles and activities they played. Determine if the Estate Attorney.
252 -
Contact Accountant or CPA, determine what roles and activities they played.
253 -
Find any Calendars of the deceased and cancel all of their appointments.
254 -
Determine Estate Solvency by comparing estate assets to debt.
255 -
Establish where they lived, and with who, who paid what, and whose names are on any lease.
256 -
If they lived with others, notify and discuss how to transition and remove belongings.
257 -
Confirm they only had a single residence, or identify locations if there are multiple.
258 -
Find, secure, understand all documents related to lease or rent of real estate from others.
259 -
Ensure any leases or commitments are terminated or scheduled to be.
260 -
Notify Landlord(s) and discuss how to end the lease and clean out belongings. (if applicable)
261 -
Stop any automatic rental payments (home, apartment, assisted living or nursing home).
262 -
Stop any additional rental payments (e.g. group rental agreements, 3rd party, etc.)
263 -
Ask local Police to periodically check on property if Deceased lived by themselves.
264 -
Ensure all belongings requiring removal are distributed or relocated.
265 -
Ensure any required repairs or cleaning to rentals are completed.
266 -
Close out and exit property, returning all keys and complete a final walk-through.
267 -
Recover any security deposits or buy-in fees for apartments, assisted living or other rentals.
268 -
Find, secure, understand all documents related to real estate holdings and investments.
269 -
Establish if they owned their primary residence. Confirm status, identify any co-owners.
270 -
Identify additional real estate investments and participation. Create a master tracking list.
271 -
Review all properties. Search for concerns/risks (environmental, zoning, code issues).
272 -
Change any locks or security codes to ensure that only authorized people have access.
273 -
Identify if any property has additional owners or liens, or was held jointly with Deceased.
274 -
Check for any TOD (Transfer on Death) Real Estate. Review for feasibility then execute.
275 -
Determine if there is any real estate inside of any trusts. Take any required action if needed.
276 -
Find, research and build the cost basis for the properties and find any related documents.
277 -
Establish any Tenancy by Entirety (jointly owned property, passes to spouse if other dies).
278 -
Determine if any real estate will be gifted to children. Resolve tax or documentation issues.
279 -
Hire handyman for repairs and/or professional stager to clean up house for appraisal/tours.
280 -
Find any real estate appraisals, or if none exist, have completed if needed.
281 -
Review any rental agreements and decide to continue or terminate. Notify renters.
282 -
Notify and transfer any rental contract for renters of deceased-owned property.
283 -
Notify and reconcile any dues with neighborhood, HOA or condo association(s).
284 -
Schedule to continue to pay any mortgages or other expenses during the process.
285 -
Hire real estate broker or agent (if selling the property). Work with them to close the sale.
286 -
Determine if property is being passed to family. Establish the rules and assign payments.
287 -
Sell or transfer ownership of any additional land properties.
288 -
Identify or transfer any titles for home(s). Confirm not encumbered (mortgage, liens).
289 -
For any real estate partnerships, sell or transfer ownership. Review/decide on options.
290 -
Find any property tax records and statements (if not included in mortgage).
291 -
File and pay any taxes on property (eg: ad valorem on personal property).
292 -
Find, transfer or sell any timeshares, fractional ownership or vacation / holiday clubs.
293 -
Find all security related information and devices / items (e.g. keys).
294 -
Obtain and change keys / locks and codes for doors to any residences or other sites.
295 -
Identify and record any home security services & passcodes (e.g. alarm companies).
296 -
Obtain (and change if needed) any keys or codes for safes & locks (e.g. wall safe, bicycle).
297 -
Extract and delete all passwords or encryption retained on devices or software.
298 -
Obtain passwords to access other electronic devices (e.g. mobile phones PCs, tablets).
299 -
Obtain passwords to any LAN(s) or Wifi(s). Shut down if required and return or retain hardware.
300 -
Identify, obtain (and transfer, change or delete) passwords to online websites.
301 -
Identify who lived with them, percent of time, their roles, where in home and how long.
302 -
Review any documentation from the deceased and discuss with family and/or friends.
303 -
Understand related laws regarding contracts and residential rights.
304 -
Discuss the situation with assistants, their understanding and obtain any written materials.
305 -
Obtain an inventory of property (e.g. furniture) in residence, including that of assistant(s).
306 -
Decide if, when the assistant will leave residence, and what transition plan or timing.
307 -
If they are to remain or acquire the residence, create a plan and documentation to facilitate.
308 -
Eliminate any confusion between assistant's property and Estate's, particularly upon departure.
309 -
Monitor & confirm departure of assistant with their property. Obtain keys or security devices.
310 -
Change locks and security codes. Inform any HOA or any management of departure.
311 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information related to their last employer.
312 -
Identify employer and notify their Human Resources department and direct supervisor.
313 -
Coordinate with Human Resources (or other group) for close out process
314 -
Request the Employer EIN (Employer Identification Number).
315 -
Obtain personal effects from their office area or others under company control (e.g. storage).
316 -
Return all company assets (e.g. laptops, keys/badges, phones, vehicles or other equipment).
317 -
Ensure all company information (data, reports, etc.) is returned.
318 -
Confirm there were no wage garnishments, and reconcile if there were.
319 -
Calculate and collect any wages owed from employer.
320 -
Notify and close employer health plan.
321 -
Identify and collect any commissions owed deceased.
322 -
Calculate and collect any vacation compensation owed, if policy allows.
323 -
Identify and collect any expenses owed (e.g. travel).
324 -
Identify and resolve any loans or other debts owed to Employer.
325 -
Identify and obtain any life insurance proceeds provided by an employer.
326 -
Find and obtain any corporate benefits, death benefits or future pension information.
327 -
Investigate any federal or other government employment benefits. Obtain if feasible.
328 -
Identify and collect any other miscellaneous items or amounts owed.
329 -
Recover or transfer any 401k or other plans (403(b), 457).
330 -
Recover deferred compensation outside of stock options, profit-sharing and pensions.
331 -
Recover proceeds from any profit-sharing plans.
332 -
Recover value from warrants or other stock option type items
333 -
Review and recover any value from employer/retirement benefit (pension) plans.
334 -
Find, secure, and understand all documents and information regarding taxes and filings.
335 -
Contact CPA/Accountant(s) to request past 3 years of tax filings and support documents.
336 -
Review information, if documentation not available, request records and transcripts.
337 -
Determine responsible party to file and pay each return. Confirm court approvals if required.
338 -
File Form 2848 Power of Attorney for CPA to contact IRS. (possibly more than one)
339 -
Ensure IRS Form 56 is filed to confirm Personal Representative and any trustee changes.
340 -
Track down all income and sources for Deceased. Collect all current/prior year receipts.
341 -
Obtain or create an EIN for Estate and any new trusts with the IRS.
342 -
Contact State agencies to confirm inheritance filings, with forms to file and deadlines.
343 -
Obtain appraisals of all real property as of the date of death to establish new cost basis.
344 -
Obtain brokerage statements at date of death with valuation of securities for new cost basis.
345 -
Obtain qualified appraisals of personal property held, if of significant value.
346 -
Obtain qualified valuations of any business interests owned to establish new basis of holdings.
347 -
Prepare and file extensions for Federal and State(s) individual income tax returns.
348 -
Prepare and file extensions for Federal and State(s) Estate and Trust income tax returns.
349 -
Complete and file Federal Individual Income Tax Return (1040) for last calendar year.
350 -
Complete and file State Personal Income Tax Return(s) (pre-death income items).
351 -
Obtain IRS gift tax returns (Form 709 for all prior years). This is also the GSTT form.
352 -
Determine if there are any GSTT (Generation Skipping Transfer Tax) issues.
353 -
Determine if required, and if so, file Federal Gift Tax return (Form 709).
354 -
Determine if required, and if so, file State Gift Tax returns.
355 -
Identify and address issues regarding any foreign accounts that are part of the Estate.
356 -
Complete and file Federal Estate Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts. (Form 1041).
357 -
Complete and file State Estate Income Tax Return(s) (post-death income items).
358 -
Complete and file Federal Trust Income Tax Returns (Form 1041).
359 -
Complete and file State Trusts (Income) Tax Return.
360 -
Consider election of estate tax year combining Estate and Trust tax filings (Form 8855).
361 -
Prepare & file extensions for Federal and state(s) Estate Tax returns.
362 -
Complete and file Federal Estate Tax Return (Form 706), if required.
363 -
Complete and file State Estate Tax Return, if required.
364 -
Complete reporting of property to the IRS (Form 8971) within 30 days of filing Form 706.
365 -
File Form 4810 for a prompt assessment and Form 5495 for discharge from personal liability.
366 -
Obtain Tax Inheritance discount for early payment (only in a few states).
367 -
Complete and file any needed State Inheritance Tax Return.
368 -
Identify and pay any other taxes & fees to the City or Town government(s).
369 -
Identify and pay any other taxes & fees to the County government(s).
370 -
Determine if there is any Medicaid Recovery Act liability.
371 -
File Form 4422 to release liens for real estate sales.
372 -
Request IRS transcript for Form 706 filing using Form 4506-T.
373 -
Obtain Estate Tax (Closing) Letters for Federal and the State(s).
374 -
File Form 56, and any state equivalents, for discharge from personal representative role.
375 -
Find, secure, understand all documents on prior Power of Attorney decisions and details.
376 -
Understand who had any Power of Attorney given. Determine scope and actions taken.
377 -
Notify and reach out to anyone who had Power of Attorney and obtain any relevant documents.
378 -
Provide Executor Representative with documents. Affirm their authority in all future matters.
379 -
Conduct a full Asset Search and UCC filings, including real estate.
380 -
Find, secure, understand all documents about the crime related to their death.
381 -
Obtain belongings, money or other items from hospital, home, ambulance or police (at scene).
382 -
Discuss with any lawyers assigned to the case (e.g. Prosecutor, District Attorney).
383 -
Review impact on the estate, particularly if any beneficiaries are known or suspected.
384 -
If crime scene was on deceased property, coordinate the crime scene clean-up activities.
385 -
Investigate any crime victim compensation available (e.g. State Agencies).
386 -
Find and secure all documents regarding country of birth, past foreign citizenships and Visas.
387 -
Determine country of birth and if the deceased had any dual citizenships.
388 -
Obtain any immigration and/or alien registration papers / Visa. Notify the State Department.
389 -
Find any immigration status if still in the courts or in process for consideration.
390 -
Review any issues with spouses and children who are not citizens to qualify for citizenship.
391 -
Request any foreign citizenship documentation and numbers. Notify any foreign governments.
392 -
Determine country of birth and citizenship or Visa status for all spouses and children.
393 -
Review any potential issues in resolving affairs due to citizenship or related issues.
394 -
Find and understand all information regarding on-going or potential legal issues.
395 -
Find their lawyer(s), law firms or legal advisor (e.g. friend). (if they had any)
396 -
Contact their lawyers/law firm to understand current and potential issues (if any).
397 -
Ask friends, family, co-workers, professional services about current/potential legal issues.
398 -
Consult an attorney to see if there is possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit.
399 -
Identify any on-going litigation where Deceased was a plaintiff. Forecast/recover compensation.
400 -
Identify any on-going litigation where Deceased was a defendant. Forecast impacts.
401 -
Identify any potential litigation with Deceased as a plaintiff. Forecast expectations.
402 -
Identify any potential litigation with Deceased as the defendant. Forecast expectations.
403 -
Identify any criminal litigation related to the Deceased, and potential estate impacts.
404 -
Identify any pending criminal actions or cases regarding others with a possible impact.
405 -
Identify potential class action litigation with Deceased as a plaintiff. Forecast expectations.
406 -
Identify on-going class action litigation with Deceased as plaintiff. Forecast expectations.
407 -
Identify any past settlements not yet paid out and impacts of passing on future compensation.
408 -
Obtain belongings or other items from hospital, home, ambulance or police.
409 -
Find, secure, understand all documents on renting/leasing real estate from others.
410 -
Identify any dwellings, storage or other locations where physical goods are stored.
411 -
Find and return any loaned items. Identify and contact the owners for return.
412 -
Find and recover any consigned (or pawned) or borrowed items of the deceased.
413 -
Find and recover any assigned or loaned out items (e.g. to museums, schools).
414 -
Find and dispose of any soon to be perishable products (e.g. food items)
415 -
Find & secure any cash or currency. Log into the estate for disbursement.
416 -
Secure, store & distribute photos (family), videos and ancestry materials.
417 -
Find, pay and return any equipment rentals.
418 -
Find, pay and return any home furnishing rentals.
419 -
Complete/contract appraisals for higher value items, or lots of other items.
420 -
Find, delete and destroy any adult or illegal/controversial (e.g. drugs) items.
421 -
Review and decide on method to bulk sell goods (e.g. garage sale, liquidator).
422 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of antiques.
423 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of appliances.
424 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of art (high value, collectibles and consumer).
425 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of china, crystal and silver
426 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of all clothes & linens.
427 -
Distribute, sell, or donate other collectibles.
428 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of consumer electronics.
429 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of furniture.
430 -
Distribute, sell, donate or redeem gift cards or other awards.
431 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of jewelry.
432 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of lawn/garden (e.g. mowers, snow blowers) items.
433 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of medical & personal equipment.
434 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of sporting goods or outdoor/camping equipment.
435 -
Distribute, sell, donate any sports tickets (e.g. seasons, seats).
436 -
Distribute, sell, donate any theater or entertainment tickets or passes.
437 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of any tools (machine, shop, power, hand).
438 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of videos, DVDs (non-family) and books.
439 -
Distribute, sell, donate or dispose of all other items not listed (e.g. kitchen items).
440 -
Ensure all funds from sales, receipts from donations are logged back into the estate.
441 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding home services.
442 -
Find all current and former addresses for the deceased (at least the last 10 years).
443 -
Change voicemail(s) & answering machines. Create new message to inform of passing.
444 -
Ask someone to answer phone, respond to voicemails/texts or forward to another number.
445 -
Find, stop or transfer any subscriptions for newspapers and magazines.
446 -
Find, pay then close or transfer any cable or satellite TV bill(s).
447 -
Find, pay then close or transfer cellular telephone, wireless or pagers bill(s).
448 -
Find, pay then close or transfer electric utility bill(s).
449 -
Find, pay then close or transfer gas utility bill(s).
450 -
Find, pay then close or transfer heating oil delivery bill(s).
451 -
Find, pay then close or transfer home telephone bill(s).
452 -
Find, pay then close or transfer internet provider bill(s).
453 -
Find, pay then close or transfer lawn & garden (including sprinkler) bill(s).
454 -
Find, pay then close or transfer maid or cleaning bill(s).
455 -
Find, pay then close or transfer handyman or repairman bill(s).
456 -
Find, pay then close or transfer other service provider bill(s) (e.g. septic, chimney, snow).
457 -
Find, pay then close or transfer sewage bill(s) (if separate from water).
458 -
Find, pay then close or transfer trash collection bill(s) (may be government agency).
459 -
Find, pay then close or transfer water account. This could be a government agency.
460 -
Find, pay then close or transfer meal providers (meals on wheels, delivery services, cooks).
461 -
Cease, transfer and get credits for any cooperatives (e.g. food, electricity, etc.)
462 -
Notify, liquidate or transfer any pre-paid service agreements. Recover any eligible refunds.
463 -
Notify, liquidate or transfer any pre-paid warranties. Recover any eligible refunds.
464 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding any firearms.
465 -
Obtain any required combinations or keys for weapon or storage security.
466 -
Search for firearms or storage places, e.g. gun lockers. Gather & secure all.
467 -
Understand if any firearms have state law restrictions or are fully automatic.
468 -
Identify, find and secure any Firearm Licenses. Notify Government agencies.
469 -
Review to see if a Gun Trust had been created.
470 -
Find any replicas, inert explosives or other potentially dangerous items.
471 -
Dispose of firearms and other items through transfer or sale.
472 -
Arrange for disposal of any items not sold or transferred.
473 -
Find, secure, understand all information regarding internet activity & accounts.
474 -
Review emails, bookmarks and any PC files to help identify online accounts of Deceased.
475 -
Create a Digital Legacy, include any materials the Deceased or survivors / friends requested.
476 -
Identify and have access to all social media accounts.
477 -
Post notice on social media. Notify groups where Deceased was an owner or active.
478 -
Shut down any social media accounts to be exited. Save selected media (files, pictures).
479 -
Find, save records and shut down any financial services accounts.
480 -
Find, transfer funds and close online banking/finance accounts (e.g. PayPal/Venmo).
481 -
Find, save files and shut down any online healthcare accounts. (doctor groups, drugs, tracking)
482 -
Find and shut down eCommerce accounts or orders. Locate deliveries & stop auto-orders.
483 -
Save files, and transfer or shut down any storage and file sharing (e.g. Dropbox, iCloud).
484 -
Save files, and transfer or shut down any photo sharing & storage (e.g. Shutterly, Flickr).
485 -
Transfer any online genealogy accounts to a family member (e.g. Ancestry.com).
486 -
Redeem (or transfer) and then shut down any travel, credit card or retailer loyalty accounts.
487 -
Shut down any online books accounts (e.g. Kindle, Audible, Audiobook, Apple Books).
488 -
Shut down any online gaming accounts (e.g. Minecraft, Xbox, PlayStation).
489 -
Shut down any online music services (e.g. Spotify, iTunes, Pandora).
490 -
Shut down any online dating services (e.g. Match, eHarmony). Notify connections of passing.
491 -
Shut down any video streaming and TV services (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, AT&T TV).
492 -
Identify and transfer any websites they owned (e.g. GoDaddy, Newtek).
493 -
Identify and transfer or shut down any hosting services (e.g. Amazon AWS, 1&1, Godaddy).
494 -
Transfer or sell/auction any internet domains. Notify domain registrars (e.g. GoDaddy).
495 -
Shut down or transfer accounts for real estate or asset sharing services (e.g. AirBnB, Turo).
496 -
Shut down all other online accounts (e.g. job search, food delivery, pharmacy cards).
497 -
Find, secure, understand and list all documents related to medical issues and providers.
498 -
Find all information on their Healthcare history, examples: conditions, status, resolutions.
499 -
Identify and notify their Doctors (find General Practitioner, Specialists and Dentist).
500 -
Obtain, pay final and close all doctor bills & accounts.
501 -
Find, notify and pay any psychiatrist and mental health support accounts.
502 -
Notify & close out all other Medical services (home health, therapists, etc.). Pay final bills.
503 -
Find and pay any medical laboratory bills.
504 -
Pay any open hospital bills.
505 -
Find and destroy all prescriptions, medicines and opened OTC medical products.
506 -
Find and cancel all prescriptions, medicines and optometry. Close pharmacies accounts.
507 -
Obtain, close and/or transfer any Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
508 -
Ensure all insurance and other submittals are filed and paid back to the estate.
509 -
Identify and determine if there are any professional or personal service providers to notify.
510 -
Find, secure, understand all information related to charities and other organizations.
511 -
Identify and notify any charities they volunteered with.
512 -
Identify and notify any organizations they gave donations to in the past.
513 -
Establish a crowdfunding site, either for the family or for a charitable cause.
514 -
Agree on, or establish a donation organization for the deceased. Include in public notices.
515 -
Determine if there are any donor advised funds or giving accounts.
516 -
Create a foundation if was the Deceased had desired. Find out if any already exist.
517 -
Identify and resolve any giving programs/matching programs. (i.e. employer, owned business)
518 -
Review any bequests, example, to colleges/schools either on death or being paid over time.
519 -
Ensure any gifts to charities in the will or are executed and documented.
520 -
Determine if will has a residuary clause designating charities. Distribute final proceeds.
521 -
Notify any schools or universities they attended (alma maters).
522 -
Notify, pay or receive refunds for any schools they are currently enrolled in.
523 -
Identify, notify & attempt to redeem or transfer credits from Frequent Flyer / Hotel programs.
524 -
Find and understand all information on groups, activities and professional associations.
525 -
Identify any group leadership roles and responsibilities, including non-for-profit Boards.
526 -
Identify, notify and obtain any benefits from fraternal orders or other similar groups.
527 -
Notify and close any health clubs (gyms, tennis, YMCA) or other (e.g. massage memberships).
528 -
Notify and transfer or exit social clubs (e.g. country club, Lodges (Elk, Moose)).
529 -
Identify, notify and cancel Trade/Industry memberships, professional societies.
530 -
Identify, notify and stop dues for other groups & organizations. (e.g. HOA, political, alumni).
531 -
Sign-up for the Do Not Contact list for marketers and telemarketers.
532 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information on bank accounts and activity.
533 -
Identify the banks where they had accounts or might have had accounts.
534 -
Contact the banks to confirm or research all of the assets and accounts on file.
535 -
Obtain or download account history (12 months if possible). Find autopays & other payments.
536 -
Find and secure any ATM, credit and debit cards.
537 -
Find and secure any checkbooks and passbooks.
538 -
Execute any Transfer on Death (TOD) designations if they were specified.
539 -
Remove name from checks and get new checks re-issued given they may be refused.
540 -
Remove name from joint bank accounts
541 -
Record final transaction date and amount from each account by deceased.
542 -
Find all bank safety deposit boxes, locations, where to find keys, names of authorized users.
543 -
Empty all bank safety deposit boxes and close.
544 -
Notify and close or transfer any autobill against bank accounts (credit cards or credit lines).
545 -
Shut down online banking or redo password. Review local laws and restrictions for this.
546 -
Notify and close bank checking accounts.
547 -
Notify and close bank savings accounts.
548 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information on loans, debts and finances.
549 -
Ask Deceased's family and friends about debts, including personal or non-traditional.
550 -
Determine if the State(s) are Community Property and if there is a surviving spouse.
551 -
Establish a debt claims deadline (each State has different rules). Post in Newspapers.
552 -
Review and pay any claims from other creditors, including those from Newspaper notifications.
553 -
Obtain credit card history for last 12 months if possible from all cards (may be online).
554 -
Obtain credit reports from all three major bureaus. Notify them of death to freeze credit.
555 -
Review all credit card balances, decide which or all to pay and submit payment.
556 -
Notify and shut down all credit card accounts (Majors: VISA, Amex, MasterCard, Diners).
557 -
Notify and close any debit card or pre-paid card accounts. If joint account, remove deceased.
558 -
Pay mortgage(s) until properties are sold or mortgages are transferred.
559 -
Determine if there is a mortgage life insurance policy and obtain proceeds.
560 -
Continue paying mortgages. Pay off or transfer 2nd mortgages or equity lend lines (HELOC).
561 -
Find any reverse mortgages, establish if Deceased was last surviving borrower.
562 -
Payoff reverse mortgage or allow lender to take ownership if last surviving borrower.
563 -
Review any student loan documentation for accounts they paid on or were a cosigner.
564 -
Review any student loans owed being paid by the Deceased for discharge or settlement.
565 -
For loans they cosigned, notify borrower and ensure lender requirements are understood.
566 -
For loans they cosigned, review actions needed and if estate will become new cosigner.
567 -
Determine if the estate needs to pay off any jointly signed loans, or exit liability.
568 -
Find and close out any other bank credit lines.
569 -
Notify and close out any non-bank credit lines (e.g. payday loans).
570 -
Notify and close out any store credit cards (or other non-branded cards).
571 -
Find P2P lending accounts, close out loans, recover any funds owed & delete account.
572 -
Find and close out any outstanding lay-away payments, or return merchandise.
573 -
Find all documents related to non-qualified financial accounts or assets (stocks, bonds).
574 -
Identify any financial planner, wealth manager or brokerage accounts and contacts.
575 -
Identify all financial products and details, along with locations.
576 -
Determine which if any have joint ownership, with whom.
577 -
Obtain Testamentary Letters and/or Death Certificate copies (at least 10) to provide.
578 -
Stop any transactions that have not been executed, if necessary.
579 -
Find, transfer or sell any certificates of deposits.
580 -
Find, transfer or sell any savings bonds.
581 -
Find, transfer or sell any corporate bonds.
582 -
Find, transfer or sell any municipal bonds.
583 -
Find, transfer or sell any treasury bonds or notes.
584 -
Find, transfer or sell any money market funds.
585 -
Find, transfer or sell any mutual funds.
586 -
Find and transfer or sell any annuities. Identify beneficiaries.
587 -
Find, transfer or sell any Treasury Bills (T-Bills).
588 -
Find, transfer or sell any stocks (with certificates).
589 -
Find, transfer or sell all other financial assets. Consult accounts and wealth managers.
590 -
Ensure all accounts related to non-qualified plans are closed out or transferred.
591 -
Find all documents for any qualified financial accounts (Pensions, 401Ks) and IRAs.
592 -
Identify any financial planner, wealth manager or brokerage accounts and contacts.
593 -
Identify all financial products and details, along with locations.
594 -
Determine which if any have joint ownership, with whom.
595 -
Obtain Testamentary Letters and/or Death Certificate copies (at least 10) to provide.
596 -
Transfer or close any 529 Plans. Identify beneficiary and transfer or liquidate.
597 -
Find and sell or transfer any non-Roth IRAs (SEP, Traditional Bank, etc.).
598 -
Find and sell or transfer any Keogh Plans.
599 -
Find and sell or transfer any Roth IRAs.
600 -
Find and liquidate any 403b tax sheltered annuities.
601 -
Find, transfer or sell any other qualified plans not specified. Consult wealth managers.
602 -
Ensure any wealth or brokerage accounts for qualified plans are closed or transferred.
603 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information related to insurance and policies.
604 -
Identify and contact their main Insurance agent/broker, if they had one.
605 -
Find any life insurance policy(s) purchased by Deceased. Find signed contract(s) to collect.
606 -
Find and collect any life insurance from any business they may have been an owner of.
607 -
File to collect any life insurance from their most recent or previous employer(s).
608 -
Find any life insurance policies that are not part of the estate and support collection.
609 -
Find, request, collect/cancel any accident or other related insurance from an employer.
610 -
Find, request, collect/cancel any accidental insurance (payout to cover cost of injury).
611 -
Find, request, collect/cancel any accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
612 -
Find, receive any amounts owed (outstanding reimbursements from healthcare providers).
613 -
Identify and cancel any healthcare, pharmaceutical or dental insurance.
614 -
Identify and cancel any Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance.
615 -
Find, collect any balance (if whole life LTC) and close any long term care insurance.
616 -
Find and collect on any terminal illness healthcare insurance.
617 -
Find and close/liquidate/transfer any life insurance policy the Deceased had on other people.
618 -
Find, continue and/or transfer/close any homeowner/renter insurance.
619 -
Find and cancel any other property insurance policies (e.g. personal article, boat, flood)
620 -
Find, cancel or modify car / auto insurance, including GAP Insurance.
621 -
Find and cancel any umbrella/catastrophe insurance (extra liability insurance).
622 -
Find, collect and cancel any credit or credit card insurance.
623 -
Find, request, cancel/collect any disability policy (payments to cover lost wages).
624 -
Find and collect any outstanding travelers insurance.
625 -
Review all insurance policies and payments, request refunds owed (example pre-payments).
626 -
Ensure any other insurance items not already covered were not forgotten.
627 -
Find, secure and understand all documents for any vehicles and their equipment.
628 -
Create a list of any vehicles with supporting information (e.g. VIN) and locations.
629 -
Confirm ownership of vehicles and identify joint owners or encumbrances.
630 -
Find any vehicle related financial debts (i.e. loans), payment plans or note documentation.
631 -
Gather up any keys or other supporting equipment or devices.
632 -
Find any vehicle maintenance records (e.g. oil change history) and inspection proof/date.
633 -
Determine if any TOD (Transfer on Death) for any vehicles and their registrations.
634 -
Exit or transfer any car/other vehicle leases.
635 -
Sell, distribute or donate vehicles. (e.g. cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, planes).
636 -
Find and transfer car titles.
637 -
Find and transfer other titles (e.g. boat, RV/Recreational Vehicles, plane, motorcycles).
638 -
Find, then transfer or return license plates (depends on disposition of the vehicle(s))
639 -
Find, then return any handicap stickers (if on plate then goes on the plate list item)
640 -
Find, then transfer or cancel/return registrations (depends if selling or giving to someone).
641 -
Find, then return or cancel any parking permits (e.g. office, community).
642 -
Notify, pay, close or transfer tolltag accounts (e.g. toll authority or EZPass).
643 -
Identify, transfer or sell any parking spots or garage spaces (owned).
644 -
Identify, transfer and close any parking spots or garage spaces (rented).
645 -
Find and cancel any automobile club memberships or roadside assistance (e.g. AAA).
646 -
Transfer, close out and recover funds for pre-paid automotive maintenance programs.
647 -
Determine if they had a pilot's license. Notify the FAA.
648 -
Sell, transfer or exit any fractional vehicle ownerships (e.g. planes).
649 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding trusts.
650 -
Create a detailed list of trusts, along with the preliminary attributes of each.
651 -
Obtain or create TINs/EINs for all the trusts, and add to the master trust list.
652 -
For each trust, identify the grantor, objectives, assets included and the beneficiaries.
653 -
Establish the trustee(s) for each, along with any named successor trustees.
654 -
Determine the State or jurisdictional law for each. Review rules in all documents.
655 -
Validate each trust to ensure no complications impacting administration or distribution.
656 -
Confirm any timing provisions and constraints of the trusts, and if any are on-going.
657 -
Determine if each trust is revocable, irrevocable or testamentary.
658 -
Determine if the trusts are simple or complex.
659 -
Determine if any of the trusts are blind, silent or quiet.
660 -
Review the beneficiaries to understand if any of the trusts are pooled or for a group.
661 -
Review the objectives for any spendthrift or special/supplemental needs provisions.
662 -
Review the distributions for any discretionary, flexible or sprinkling clauses or language.
663 -
Confirm all trusts are solvent. Identify potential liabilities, forecast any solvency risks.
664 -
Ensure any funeral insurance trusts are liquidated and funds properly applied.
665 -
Ensure any marital/spousal related trusts are properly administered and distributed.
666 -
Ensure living trusts are properly administered and distributed, including disclaimers.
667 -
Ensure any child/minor/family related trusts are properly administered and distributed.
668 -
Ensure any educaton trusts, including Coverdell ESAs, are administered and distributed.
669 -
Ensure any dynasty trusts (e.g. GST) are properly administered and distributed.
670 -
Ensure any life insurance trusts are properly administered and distributed.
671 -
Ensure any grantor trusts (e.g. GRAT, GRUT, GRIT) are properly administered and distributed.
672 -
Ensure any charitable trusts (e.g. Lead, CRUT, CRAT) are properly administered and distributed.
673 -
Ensure asset protection trusts (Foreign or Domestic) are administered and distributed.
674 -
Ensure Medicaid asset protection trusts (MAPTs) are administered and distributed.
675 -
Identify and distribute any Totten trusts (Payable on Death (POD) bank account).
676 -
Ensure any pet/animal trusts are properly administered and distributed.
677 -
Research any other types of trusts, and ensure properly administered and distributed.
678 -
Determine if there are any constructive or resulting trusts, and ensure resolved properly.
679 -
Ensure Schedule K1s are provided each year to any trust beneficiaries requiring receipt.
680 -
Cancel any Trustee/Surety Bonds no longer needed.
681 -
Determine and identify if they were eligible for any Federal government retirement benefits.
682 -
Find, secure, understand all documents related to any cryptocurrency or DeFI activities.
683 -
Search for cryptocurrencies on any personal off-line storage media.
684 -
Search for cryptocurrencies on any personal on-line accounts (e.g. Coinbase).
685 -
Find any cryptography keys or information to enable access. Identify others who have them.
686 -
Determine ownership stakes for any joint holdings for the estate.
687 -
Determine cost and market value of all cryptocurrencies or DeFi owned.
688 -
Decide whether to liquidate or transfer all cryptocurrencies or DeFi assets to beneficiaries.
689 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information on owned or invested businesses.
690 -
Identify and find any business interests held, financial statements and contracts, etc.
691 -
Search for corporate entities that they associated with.
692 -
Determine ownership level in each business, their structure and legal basis.
693 -
Review Will or other documents for directions on disposition of business ownership and assets.
694 -
Find any Buy Sell Agreements for the businesses.
695 -
Identify any Trusts, existing or planned for after death (e.g. grantor retained, charitable).
696 -
Determine ownership of any individual assets requiring review (jointly held, with whom).
697 -
Find and clarify any warranties or guaranties for any assets that are to be kept or sold.
698 -
Identify, close or transfer any debts between the Deceased and the businesses.
699 -
Find or request a valuation of each business and their ownership when required.
700 -
Return any company physical assets (e.g. personal computers, vehicles or other equipment).
701 -
Obtain any assets or compensation due from all owned businesses.
702 -
Ensure Deceased's share of any Accounts Receivable is received or will be in future.
703 -
Return all information (e.g. reports, data) to companies from offsite or home locations.
704 -
Find and resolve any open contracts for businesses which Deceased was involved.
705 -
Modify, collect or cancel any business insurance policies (e.g. D&O, E&O, Key Man, etc.).
706 -
Find, close and transfer any in-process work or deals involving the Deceased.
707 -
Decide on transaction(s) needed regarding the business (e.g. transfer, liquidation).
708 -
Sell and distribute the assets and/or the possessions of companies to be liquidated.
709 -
Identify and transfer any titles for buildings/offices or other major assets.
710 -
Identify, transfer or close/cancel any dba/fbn if required.
711 -
Transfer or sell any domains (internet) related to businesses they owned or controlled.
712 -
Transfer, close or liquidate any MLM downline (inform company, settle balance).
713 -
Identify and exit Partnerships, LP & LLCs. Review partnership agreement(s) for guidance.
714 -
Identify and close any S-Corps.
715 -
Identify and close any Sole Proprietorships.
716 -
Confirm all businesses were either exited or closed.
717 -
Find and understand all documents and information on family roles in businesses.
718 -
Discuss and confirm details of family involvement with family and business employees.
719 -
Confirm the business(es) qualify as family businesses.
720 -
Evaluate individual(s) who will inherit the business for past & planned company roles.
721 -
Review any succession plan(s) or instructions. Discuss with other owners.
722 -
Decide how to sell, transfer or gift the business to the inheritor.
723 -
Review and understand any preparations the Deceased took regarding tax implications.
724 -
Review and ensure all other owned businesses items are closed out.
725 -
Find, secure all documents and information for unions, profession, trade or licenses.
726 -
Notify any license issuers of their passing. Ensure payments stopped.
727 -
Establish if they were ever a union member, identify union, which branch and number.
728 -
Discover if union has any benefits or pension. Notify union of Deceased's passing.
729 -
Identify any professional trade organization membership. Check for benefits, notify.
730 -
Obtain and review all documents (e.g. 1099s) and information for any additional employment.
731 -
Identify any contract work, gig services, web platforms, temporary or staffing firms.
732 -
Research all potential non-full-time employers and contact/notify of passing.
733 -
Request copies of any tax documentation to be sent to the Executor or Accountants.
734 -
For professional services, inform both current and recent/past clients.
735 -
Exit any in-process proposals or projects. Deliver interim work. Obtain partial compensation.
736 -
Determine if the deceased had any property due or open requirements for any of firms.
737 -
Determine if any money is owed to the deceased. Facilitate its collection.
738 -
Deactivate and delete any Gig work accounts, including online. Execute close-out process(es).
739 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding previous employers.
740 -
Establish if they had any prior employers. Review records, ask family.
741 -
Identify and obtain any life insurance proceeds provided by prior employer(s).
742 -
Find out and obtain any corporate benefits, or death benefits.
743 -
Investigate any Federal or other government employment benefits. Obtain if feasible.
744 -
Recover 401k or other plans (403(b), 457).
745 -
Identify and review any past pension records with former employer(s).
746 -
Recover employer/retirement benefit (pension) plans from past employer(s).
747 -
Execute or transfer stock options.
748 -
Recover value from warrants or other stock option type items.
749 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information for any intellectual property.
750 -
Determine if they had licensed any of their own IP, or were licensing any IP from others.
751 -
Determine if they had transferred ownership of any intellectual property they held.
752 -
Identify if there are any terms/restrictions of use instructions from the deceased.
753 -
Identify any designations of transfer (e.g. in the will), including the beneficiary and IP.
754 -
Review all known intellectual property to determine if sole owners, or if not, with who.
755 -
Find and transfer/sell any copyrights or materials with copyrights.
756 -
Determine if they had any inventions, their ownership and what to do/who to transfer to.
757 -
Find and transfer/sell any awarded patents.
758 -
Find and transfer/sell any royalties from awarded patents.
759 -
Identify and transfer/continue/abandon any patent applications currently in process.
760 -
Find and transfer/sell any awarded trademarks they owned.
761 -
Find and transfer/sell any royalties from issued trademarks.
762 -
Identify and transfer/continue/abandon any trademark applications currently in process.
763 -
Find and transfer/sell any royalties from likeness, image, name (for celebrities).
764 -
Find and transfer/sell any royalties from songs, movies, TV shows, plays, books, games, etc.
765 -
Find & discuss any trade secrets, and their uses and options. Transfer/license if applicable.
766 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased had any crowdfunding accounts.
767 -
Find, secure, understand all information regarding any non-litigation legal issues.
768 -
Find and obtain any Legal Plans compensation support available from all sources.
769 -
Search bankruptcy records, if deemed applicable. Federal Court records will have these.
770 -
Search for liens and judgments.
771 -
Identify and settle any court judgments (i.e. debts).
772 -
Identify then transfer or sell any court judgments (i.e. awards).
773 -
Identify then transfer or exit any contracts (open personal, not owned businesses or employer).
774 -
Identify and document any Tax Issues, including from past returns.
775 -
Find and secure all documents on Federal government benefits or agencies to notify.
776 -
Confirm Federal government agencies requiring notification to resolve benefits.
777 -
Notify Post Office (USPS) and private mail locations of death, cancel any P.O. Boxes.
778 -
Submit a mail forwarding address to USPS and others if vacating a home.
779 -
Identify and collect residual funds, including Medicaid burial benefits, from MSAs and HSAs.
780 -
Notify Social Security Administration, and ensure they are aware of military service.
781 -
Return final Social Security check. (SSA does not prorate for month of death).
782 -
Request Social Security Survivor Benefits (not one time death benefit, but for spouses/kids).
783 -
Collect Social Security one time death/funeral benefit (if applicable and survivors qualify).
784 -
Research and obtain any unclaimed property (e.g. Government, other sources).
785 -
Inform the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in writing.
786 -
Notify and close any Medicaid account.
787 -
Notify and close any Medicare account. Recover any due reimbursement funds.
788 -
Contact United States Treasury to check if registered owners of any bonds or other assets.
789 -
Inform Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for any current or future pension issues.
790 -
Close out or transfer benefits due from Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).
791 -
Notify Department of Agriculture and transfer/cancel SNAP (i.e. food stamps) or other benefits.
792 -
Notify Health & Human Services regarding changes / transfer to any TANF payments or account.
793 -
Notify U.S. Fish & Wildlife regarding any hunting licenses or stamps.
794 -
Notify any Federal agencies where the deceased had security clearances, and also the FBI.
795 -
Close out any loans, grants or other provisions provided for other emergencies with the IRS.
796 -
Close out any loans, grants or other provisions provided by FEMA for disaster relief.
797 -
Cancel National Park Service membership.
798 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information on veteran or survivor status.
799 -
Find Military service papers, including discharge records.
800 -
Find the Veterans’ benefit records & VA number (Veteran Affairs Identification Number).
801 -
Search for additional information (e.g. military unit, groups, ships). Decide on informing.
802 -
Determine if Veteran Cemetery desired by deceased or family. Request evaluation to qualify.
803 -
Arrange for Veteran headstone, marker or medallion for their grave.
804 -
Request Burial Plot Interment Allowance. The form is VA 21P-530.
805 -
Request Military Honors at the burial, including a burial flag.
806 -
Request Veteran's Insurance (examples are VGLI, FSGLI, VMLI, SGLI, S-DVI).
807 -
Request Veteran's Administration (VA) Survivor Benefits. (e.g. Survivors Pension)
808 -
Close out or transfer their PX (Post Exchange) account(s).
809 -
Contact Casualty Assistance Office if they died on active duty.
810 -
Investigate and obtain Wartime Service Pension (if applicable).
811 -
Investigate and request Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.
812 -
Contact Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) to check for benefits. (e.g. AMVETS, VFW)
813 -
Notify DFAS (Defense Finance & Accounting Service) with respect to any benefits administered.
814 -
Determine if they had a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).
815 -
Determine if survivors can continue to receive healthcare (e.g. TRICARE).
816 -
Investigate and apply for tax forgiveness, if available.
817 -
Review Department of Veteran Affairs information to find any other benefits.
818 -
Contact other military organizations for support (e.g. AER, AFAS, NMCRS)
819 -
Find all documents on State or local government benefits or agencies to notify.
820 -
Confirm State and local government agencies to notify and to resolve any benefits.
821 -
Notify the State Department of Health. This may be part of the Death Certificate process.
822 -
Notify the city/town government and Tax Office.
823 -
Notify the county government, Commissioner and Tax Office.
824 -
Investigate and collect any State burial benefits (varies by state).
825 -
Investigate and collect any county burial benefits (varies by county).
826 -
Notify State workforce agency. (i.e. unemployment)
827 -
Notify State Welfare agency to cancel or transfer State assistance programs.
828 -
Notify State and local agencies regarding any housing assistance programs.
829 -
Notify State department of revenue or State revenue agency (e.g. Texas Comptroller's Office).
830 -
Notify the State Office of Financial Recovery or equivalent State agency.
831 -
Notify the State agency for both crime victim and worker's compensation, if applicable.
832 -
Cancel voter registration(s) (at county level, with exceptions at city level).
833 -
Find, pay then close or transfer water account. (if local government agency)
834 -
Find and obtain (State, local) government benefits owed, government funds or property.
835 -
Notify and State or local hunting license issuer.
836 -
Transfer or sell any business or commercial licenses.
837 -
Contact library to close account(s), ensure all books were returned.
838 -
Find and close any transportation (e.g. buses/subway) passes.
839 -
Find, secure, understand any documents related to disabilities or related benefits.
840 -
Establish, as best as possible, type and timing of disabilities.
841 -
Notify, stop and/or transfer any Federal disability payments. (SSDI and SSI).
842 -
Notify, stop and/or transfer any State (supplementary to Federal) disability payments.
843 -
Notify, stop and/or transfer any Veteran disability payments.
844 -
Notify, stop and/or transfer any other (e.g. private, charity) disability payments.
845 -
Identify and stop any Worker's Compensation payments (e.g. Indemnity, Impairment).
846 -
Identify and stop any Worker's Compensation payments from any previous employer.
847 -
Identify and secure any major disability related equipment, (e.g. scooters, respirators).
848 -
Transfer, return or donate major disability related equipment. (e.g. scooters)
849 -
Find, secure, understand all documents and information regarding any criminal issues.
850 -
Search for and obtain their criminal record(s). Focus search on specific geographies.
851 -
Determine if they were on parole or under in-house arrest. Notify parole officer or agency.
852 -
Recover any bail or resolve any bail bond agreements.
853 -
Notify any police departments with criminal warrants for their arrest.
854 -
Look into expunging their criminal record. May require a close relative to submit.
855 -
Find their computer(s), and any others they used but did not own.
856 -
Look for additional accessories (e.g. hard drives, thumb drives, peripherals).
857 -
Obtain any passwords to access computers.
858 -
Find/gather any software manuals or other supporting information.
859 -
Search for any software keys or other ownership proof/access (in electronic or printed form).
860 -
Determine disposition (keep/transfer, donate, sell), and to whom if known.
861 -
Check for any online storage accounts, e.g. Google Drive, for storage. Save & delete.
862 -
Field requests from family and friends on files to search for and pass, or delete.
863 -
Review computer for possible inclusions in digital legacy or support for ceremonies.
864 -
Determine people to give files to and for which topics (finances, business, family history).
865 -
Decide and delete files not needed by other parties (e.g. non-relevant PII, other).
866 -
Save or transfer files for family or other recipients on to storage medium(s).
867 -
Delete 'search history' from browsers and cookies from hard drives.
868 -
For donate, sell and transfer, ensure the hard drive is completely erased.
869 -
Deliver appropriate electronic files to identified family or friends. Record delivery.
870 -
Find all mobile devices, identify models, payment information and related information.
871 -
Obtain passwords to access mobile devices and key applications.
872 -
Determine and execute device disposition (keep/transfer, donate, sell), and recipients.
873 -
Check for any online storage accounts, e.g. Google Drive, for storage. Save & delete.
874 -
Ask family and friends about types of files (e.g. pictures) to search for, preserve or delete.
875 -
Search mobile devices for possible digital legacy materials or support for the services.
876 -
Determine who to give files or transfer accounts to, and for which topics (e.g. finances).
877 -
Identify and delete files not to be preserved (e.g. embarrassing, confidential).
878 -
Prepare to transfer applications and data for beneficiary or new mobile owner.
879 -
For donate and sell, and possibly transfer, ensure the mobile device is completely erased.
880 -
Deliver electronic files to identified family members or friends. Record recipients.
881 -
Review email clients and documentation to identify email accounts.
882 -
Find all passwords for emails, or identify ones stored inside software.
883 -
List all email accounts, both current and past, along with passwords.
884 -
Notify address list(s) of the passing of the deceased.
885 -
Download and save their email address lists.
886 -
Create an auto-response to inform contacts of passing and account shutdowns.
887 -
Save/download emails and attachments. Deliver to chosen surviving recipient.
888 -
Set-up email forwarding to review incoming emails.
889 -
Shut down all email address. Timing of shutdowns could differ.
890 -
Identify and determine if anyone owed the Deceased money.
891 -
Determine if the Deceased held or cosigned for any SBA loans and work to resolve.
892 -
Determine if the Deceased was part of a carpool or ride sharing program.
893 -
Determine if the Deceased held any physical precious metals or ownership certificates.
894 -
Determine and identify any theft monitoring services that the Deceased may have had.
895 -
Determine if the Deceased was a member of any board of directors for company or charity.
896 -
Review any email/group lists, discuss with friends or find any published work and their blogs.
897 -
Advise and transfer any blogs or writing contributions. Identify and contact recipients.
898 -
Notify any paying clients for writing. Recover money owed & provide any work-in-progress.
899 -
Notify any groups they wrote for or contributed to, and provide any work-in-progress materials.
900 -
Capture and transfer any mailing lists and hand-off responsibilities.
909 -
Determine if they held any foreign assets, location and needed to transfer or liquidate.
910 -
Determine if the Deceased was ever a teacher and if due any benefits.
911 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased had any lottery winnings or respective annuities.
912 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased was a member of a Native American tribe.
913 -
Find, secure, understand all information regarding land or mineral rights.
914 -
Determine if they had transferred ownership or leased any mineral rights.
915 -
Identify any designations of transfer (e.g. in will), including beneficiary.
916 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Gas Rights.
917 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Gas Royalties.
918 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Oil Rights.
919 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Oil Royalties.
920 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Mineral Rights.
921 -
Find and transfer/sell any Subsurface Mineral Royalties.
922 -
Transfer/sell any Land, Structures or Producing Assets.
923 -
Determine if death was work related and any worker's compensation benefits eligibility.
924 -
Review any name changes and decide which to put where, both desired and regulated.
925 -
Confirm name to be on their death certificate.
926 -
Establish or confirm wishes for current gender designation and name.
927 -
Confirm decision to exclude prior name and/or gender in any public announcements.
928 -
Confirm name(s) to be on plaques or headstones, and for grave databases & registries.
929 -
Determine if they were in process of writing any books, plays or other literary efforts.
930 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased had multiple wills or a foreign will.
931 -
Determine if Deceased had any inventions, other intellectual property that was not patented.
932 -
Determine if the Deceased owned or cared for any livestock that was not part of a farm.
933 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased had an Ethical Will.
934 -
Determine if the Deceased or survivors have any potential eligibility for mining benefits.
935 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased had an ideas list or creations that were in-process.
936 -
Determine if Deceased wished for cryonics, head freezing or any other storage of body parts.
937 -
Determine if the Deceased wished for a burial at sea.
938 -
Determine if the Deceased or survivors are eligible for railroad benefits.
939 -
Identify and determine if the Deceased owned or leased a farm or had any crops.
940 -
Determine if there was a conservatorship and obtain assets and accounting.
941 -
Determine if they owned any timberlands.
901 -
Find and review all documents on any private companies or sophisticated financial assets.
902 -
Find and transfer or liquidate any restricted stock.
903 -
Find and transfer or liquidate any closely held stock or privately owned company stock.
904 -
Find and transfer or liquidate any private equity investments.
905 -
Find and transfer or liquidate any hedge fund investments.
906 -
File or transfer any membership certificates (e.g. for Limited Liability Companies).
907 -
Reconcile any collateral obligations or secured Items against estate.
908 -
Ensure that all transactions are properly recorded for both beneficiaries and taxes.
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