“Top 10” Estate Administration Checklist

In order to probate your beloved’s estate, here are the “Top 10” items you will need to get started.

• Original Wills and Codicils.
• Original Trusts or copies if originals are unavailable and a current financial statement for each trust, if available.
• Decedent’s death certificate.
• Military discharge certificate or VA statement.
• With respect to real estate, please bring the following with respect to each parcel:
• Deed
• Survey
• Property tax receipts or copy of tax bill
• Title and Insurance policies
• If property is leased, bring a copy of the lease
• If a loan on the property is outstanding, bring the loan number, payment book, and address of mortgage company or other note holder and copies of notes, mortgages, trust deeds and other documents
• All policies of insurance, including life, accident, disability, fire and casualty, and health insurance in which decedent had an interest.
• A copy of decedent’s Federal income tax returns, Form 1040, for the last three years.
• Copies of all Federal gift tax returns, Form 709, ever filed by the decedent.
• Keys to safe deposit boxes, name and address of bank where located. If box has already been inventoried and we do not have a copy, please bring the inventory.
• Copy of funeral bills, including cemetery lot, monuments, floral offerings and memorial services.

« Return to Home Page

• Estate Tax Calculator
• Federal Estate Tax Laws
• Federal Gift Tax Code
• AARP: Estate Planning Guide
• www.njdiscriminationlaw.com