Probate and Trust Administration Preparation Checklist

One of the first practical questions is whether there is a trust, a will, or neither.

• A trust
• A will
• No will or trust

At the beginning, the most useful thing is often simply knowing what documents exist and who has them.

• Death certificate or information about when certified copies will be available
• Original will and any codicils
• Trust document and any amendments or restatements
• Any probate court papers, notices, or letters already received
• Deeds, titles, or other records showing how property is owned
• Recent bank, investment, or retirement account statements
• Current bills, tax records, or information about debts and expenses

A first meeting often goes more smoothly if the basic players and their roles are clear.

• Who is named as executor or administrator, if anyone
• Who is named as trustee or successor trustee
• Beneficiaries, heirs, or close family members who may need notice or communication
• Any co-fiduciary, alternate fiduciary, or person sharing responsibility
• Financial advisor, accountant, or other professional who may already be involved

You do not need a perfect inventory at the start, but a rough working list is often very helpful.

• House, land, or other real estate
• Bank, investment, and retirement accounts
• Life insurance or beneficiary-designated assets
• Business interests or LLC ownership
• Vehicles, valuable personal property, or items family members are already asking about
• Any out-of-state property or unusual asset that may complicate administration

These are often the questions that create stress in the first few days or weeks after a death.

• Who has access to the house, records, mail, and account information
• Whether any property needs insurance attention, security, or immediate upkeep
• Whether there are mortgage, utility, tax, or other bills that need prompt review
• Whether accounts are frozen, inaccessible, or already raising practical problems
• Whether any filing deadline, hearing date, or notice deadline is already in play
• Questions about what belongs in the probate estate, what belongs to a trust, and what may pass outside both

Different roles raise different questions, so this section narrows the list based on who you are in the process.

• Whether a probate filing is actually necessary
• Whether a petition has already been filed or still needs to be prepared
• Questions about inventory, notices, or final distribution
• Whether the trust was fully funded and what assets are actually in it
• What documents are needed for a successor trustee to step in formally
• How and when beneficiaries should be informed or updated
• Who is actually in charge of the administration process
• Where the original documents are and who may have them
• Questions about the house, distributions, or the next legal step