Checklist - Personal Representative
The following checklist is a general probate checklist for personal representatives. It should not be considered exhaustive and is not intended as legal advice. It is an ideal checklist to be used when meeting with the attorney you select to represent the estate in probate.
| Done | Task | Due |
| □ | Notify close friends and family | First Week |
| □ | Notify employer | First Week |
| □ | Secure assets | First Week |
| □ | Arrange funeral | First Week |
| □ | Order death certificates | First Week |
| □ | Retain attorney | First Month |
| □ | Submit will to court | First Month |
| □ | Cancel unneeded services | First Month |
| □ | Request Employer Identification Number (EIN) | First Month |
| □ | Notify Social Security | First Month |
| □ | Determine heirs | First 3 Months |
| □ | Start probate process if required/desired | First 3 Months |
| □ | Notify heirs | First 3 Months |
| □ | Establish family allowance if applicable | First 3 Months |
| □ | Forward mail | First 3 Months |
| □ | Notify life insurance companies | First 3 Months |
| □ | Notify IRAs and similar beneficiary accounts | First 3 Months |
| □ | Notify other agencies (DMV, etc.) | First 3 Months |
| □ | Notify extended acquaintances | First 3 Months |
| □ | File IRS Form S6 | First 3 Months |
| □ | Open estate bank account | First 3 Months |
| □ | Inventory assets | First 3 Months |
| □ | Publish notice of death | First 3 Months |
| □ | Debt claims deadline expired | ASAP |
| □ | Inventory debts | ASAP |
| □ | Determine estate solvency | ASAP |
| □ | Resolve debts | ASAP |
| □ | Plan asset allocation | ASAP |
| □ | Pay local property taxes | ASAP |
| □ | Provide Schedule K-1 to any trust beneficiaries | Calendar Year |
| □ | Submit final decedent income tax forms (1040) | Calendar Year |
| □ | Submit estate income tax forms (1041) | Calendar Year |
| □ | Deal with state filings | Calendar Year |
| □ | Submit personal liability discharge (5495) | Calendar Year |
| □ | Submit estate tax form (706) if needed | 9 Months |
| □ | Submit federal heir forms (8971) if needed | 10 Months |
| □ | Receive federal estate tax closing letter (627) if needed | 15 Months |
| □ | Make all distributions | ASAP |
| □ | Compensate executor | ASAP |
| □ | Submit probate final accounting | ASAP |
| □ | Submit probate closing statement | ASAP |
| □ | Close estate bank account | ASAP |
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