Checklist for Executors in a Probate

If you have ever been selected to serve as an Executor for someone’s will, you have an important responsibility to track down the deceased belongings as well as the Individual’s named in the will. Typically individuals tend to choose people in whom they trust. More commonly than not, people view this as an honor to fulfill their loved one’s final wishes. What people do not take into account is that handling an Estate is a lot of hard work. Fortunately, you are entitled at the expense of the Estate to retain an Attorney to guide you through the often-complicated Probate process. Look to a probate lawyer Arlington, TX trusts when beginning the Probate process.

People often ponder the question as to whether or not they should obtain an Attorney to handle the Probate process. Even though many wills are fairly routine and simple, the disputes or complexed property issues that arise most definitely need a professional such as an Attorney to assist throughout the process.

When a loved one has passed you are at a loss and need guidance. Majority of people contact an attorney to assist in probating an Estate. The fact that all estate plans are different our Firm has gathered a general guide for Executors to assist by locating certain documents that will need to be presented in order to facilitate the Probate matter. The list is general in nature and is not to be construed as an all-inclusive of the necessary steps for a particular Estate.

1. Annuity policies
2. Bank statements
3. Birth certificates (of deceased person, surviving spouse, and any minor children)
4. Brokerage account statements
5. Business co-ownership agreements
6. Checkbooks
7. Child support documents
8. Credit card statements (these days, when people have many bills on auto-pay and use credit cards at the dentist’s office, the grocery store, and nearly everywhere else, a credit card statement can be a hugely important source of information)
9. Disability-related documents
10. Divorce papers (including property settlement agreements)
11. Health insurance policies
12. Immigration and citizenship documents
13. Investment records
14. Life insurance policies and premium payment records
15. Marriage certificate (if you don’t have a copy, order one from the county where the wedding took place)
16. Military service records (branch, dates of service, discharge or “separation” papers)

Pension records
Prenuptial agreement
Real estate deeds and tax records
Registration papers for vehicles or boats
Retirement account statements
Social Security records
Tax returns
Trust agreements or Last Will & Testament
W-2 form (showing wages for the most recent year)
Workers’ compensation paperwork
Medical bills, unpaid bills and Social Security Documents

Contact our experienced Arizona Estate Planning Attorneys at (480)947-4339.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC for their advice on estate planning and probate law.

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