Settling an estate involves many tasks and deadlines. This comprehensive checklist helps you stay organized and avoid missing critical steps.

Immediate Tasks (Days 1-7)

Attend to funeral arrangements
Locate the original will
Secure the residence (lock, remove valuables)
Secure vehicles (prevent unauthorized use)
Collect mail daily
Notify close family and friends
Contact the funeral home about death certificate orders

First Two Weeks (Days 7-14)

Order 10-15 certified death certificates
Notify major financial institutions (banks, brokerages)
Notify insurance companies (life, auto, home)
Notify employer (or request final paycheck/benefits)
Notify Social Security Administration
Locate and review any trusts or estate planning documents
Gather recent financial statements
Identify all assets and their values
Identify all debts and liabilities

Within One Month

Set up mail forwarding with USPS
Determine whether probate is needed (use eligibility checker)
Open estate bank account (if needed for larger estate)
Secure valuables and important documents in safe location
Begin notifying creditors of the death
Cancel subscriptions and memberships
Stop utility services (as appropriate)

Asset Inventory and Classification

List all bank accounts (checking, savings, money market)
List all investment accounts (brokerage, mutual funds)
List all retirement accounts (IRA, 401k, pension)
List real property (house, land)
List vehicles
List life insurance policies
List business interests
List personal property (jewelry, artwork, collections)
Calculate total probate estate value
Identify non-probate assets (joint, POD, trusts)

Probate or Streamlined Route

Confirm whether small estate affidavit applies
If probate needed, file petition with probate court
If eligible for small estate, prepare and notarize affidavit (after waiting period)
Attend probate court hearing (if required)
Obtain letters testamentary or letters of administration (if probate)

Notifications

Notify all heirs and beneficiaries
Publish notice to creditors (if required by state/probate)
Notify known creditors by certified mail
Provide copies of death certificate to institutions requesting it

Financial Management

Review all incoming mail for bills and notices
Pay funeral expenses
Pay medical bills (if any)
Pay property taxes and homeowners insurance
Pay utilities (until services are stopped)
Keep receipts and records of all expenses
Prepare accounting of all transactions

Tax Returns and Tax Compliance

File decedent's final income tax return (1040) - due April 15 following year
Obtain EIN for estate (if necessary for longer settlements)
File estate income tax return (Form 1041) if required
File federal estate tax return (Form 706) if estate exceeds exemption
File state estate or inheritance tax returns (if applicable)

Creditor Claims (If Probate)

Track creditor claim deadline
Review all claims filed
Reject invalid claims with proper notice
Pay valid claims from estate funds

Document Generation (If Complete Tier)

Prepare inventory report (if probate)
Prepare accounting (if probate)
Generate necessary letters and forms
Prepare final accounting for beneficiaries

Distribution

Wait for creditor claim deadline to pass (if applicable)
Ensure all taxes and debts are paid
Prepare distribution schedule
Distribute assets to beneficiaries per will (or intestacy law)
Collect receipts and releases from beneficiaries
Retain copies for estate records

Estate Closing

File final accounting with court (if probate)
Petition for discharge (if probate)
Obtain court order closing estate (if probate)
Close estate bank account
File final notification with IRS (if EIN was obtained)
Destroy executor authority documentation
Retain estate records for 3-7 years

Key Dates to Track

Death date: _________
Funeral date: _________
Will reading date: _________
Court filing date (if probate): _________
Appointment/letters date: _________
Creditor deadline: _________
Tax return due date: _________
Probate close date (if applicable): _________

Resources

Use ExecutorBench for deadline tracking and guidance
Consult attorney for legal questions
Consult CPA for tax questions
Contact state probate court for specific requirements

Use ExecutorBench's free eligibility checker to find your state's route and get a personalized task list.

Notes Section

Use this space to track important information:

Disclaimer: ExecutorBench provides self-help workflow software and document preparation support. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This checklist is general guidance; specific requirements vary by state and estate circumstances. Consult an attorney in your state for complete guidance.

Estate Settlement Checklist for Executors (2026)