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After a parent dies
Executor checklist: papers after a parent dies
An executor usually gathers copies of the will or trust, several certified death certificates, the court papers naming the executor, account and property papers, and the bills and letters to close out. Rules differ by state, and your county probate court's website lists its own forms and steps.
Educational only. Not legal advice.
Download the free printable checklist (PDF)
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- Will or trust copies
- Death certificates
- Court papers naming the executor
- Accounts and property papers
- Bills and letters to close out
- Family land papers (heirs' property)
Probate by state
- Creditor claim deadlines for an estate
- How to order a death certificate
- Executor duties and deadlines
- How probate works after a parent dies
- Small estates: collecting a parent's property without full probate
- Transfer-on-death deeds for a home
After a parent dies: rules by state
How to keep these papers
Keep dated copies of the papers you already have in one place, and write the day something happened on the same day. KeepMyProof is a private phone app for that: folders with checklists, the day it happened next to the day you saved it, and one PDF of a folder when someone asks.
Coming soon to Google Play.
Questions
How many death certificates will I need?
Banks, insurers, pension plans and agencies often each ask for a certified copy. Many families order several from the state or county vital records office, then keep a list of who received one.
Does the executor file a final tax return?
The IRS explains that the person handling a deceased person's affairs files their final income tax return and, in some cases, a return for the estate. IRS: final tax returns of a deceased person
What is probate?
Probate is the court process that confirms who handles an estate and how it is settled. Each state sets its own rules, and many have a shorter process for small estates.
What should I keep a record of?
Every account you close, every bill you pay from the estate, and every letter you send or receive, each with its date. A dated record helps when the court or family asks what was done.
Educational only. Not legal advice.