Use this checklist as a useful resource to guide those settling an estate or for estate planning to simplify things for your loved ones at a later date.
| Collect Important Papers | Location/ Name |
Done | Not Applicable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral and burial instructions | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Proof of prepaid funeral or burial arrangements | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Death certificate (recommend 15 copies) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Location of safe deposit box/key | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Birth certificate | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Marriage license | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Will | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Prenup | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Insurance policies | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Deeds (home, car, boat) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Trusts | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Divorce settlements | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Veterans discharge papers | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Mortgage | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Bills on autopay | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Log in information (i.e. email, social media, subscriptions, frequent flyer miles) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Contact Financial Advisor | |||
| Financial advisor contact information | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Contact Estate Attorney | |||
| Attorney’s contact infomation | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Date of death values for investment assets | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Appraisals for real estate, business, etc | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Complete Notification Of Death | |||
| Social security administration | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Investment advisor for investment accounts | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Bank for bank accounts | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Employer | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Pension administrator | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Contact Accountant | |||
| Ask about estimated tax payments | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Ask about required minimum distributions | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Obtain recent tax returns including gift tax returns | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Apply For Benefits | |||
| Life Insurance (individual and employer) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Retirement plan benefits | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Company stock | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Social security survivor benefits and death benefit | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Veterans benefits | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Health insurance, health savings account | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Change Title/Ownership | |||
| IRA and 401k (consult with your financial advisor) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Household bills | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Home | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Automobiles (leases and insurance) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Credit cards | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Safe deposit boxes | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Bank accounts | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Investment accounts | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Mortgage | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Property insurance (consult with specialist) | ☐ | ☐ | |
