If you are a responsible family member of a deceased person who died with out a will or have been named as the “executor” or “personal representative” in a deceased person’s will, it is advisable that you seek the counsel of an experienced probate lawyer to help you through the probate process. In order to do the best possible job, your attorney needs information about the deceased, the deceased’s estate plan, and the deceased’s assets and liabilities. At your first meeting with your attorney, you should be prepared to provide, as applicable, the following information:
NAMES AND ADDRESSES
Your Name:__________________________________________________________
Mailing Address:______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Telephone Nos.:(Work) ______________________ (Home) __________________
(Mobile) _____________________
E-Mail Address:____________________________
Your Relation to the Deceased: _________________________
IDENTITY OF DECEASED
Name of Deceased:_____________________________________________________
Deceased’s Date of Birth: ____________________________
Deceased’s Social Security Number: ____________________________
ESTATE PLAN
Did the Deceased have an existing Will(s)?
Yes___
No___
(If yes, provide your attorney with a copy)
Did the Deceased have an existing Trust(s)?
Yes___
No___
(If yes, provide your attorney with a copy)
FAMILY INFORMATION
Was the Deceased married?
Yes___
No___
If yes, what is/was the name of the Deceased’s spouse?
Is the Deceased’s spouse still living?
Yes___
No___
If no, when and where did the deceased spouse die?______________________________
Deceased’s Children:
Indicate Whether Adopted
Name Date of Birth or from a Previous Marriage
__________________ _______________________________________
__________________ _______________________________________
__________________ _______________________________________
__________________ _______________________________________
Have any children received an advance on their inheritance or are any children financially indebted to the deceased?
Yes___
No___
Any deceased children?
Yes___
No___
If Yes, Name of Deceased Child: _________________________________
Did this deceased child leave any children?
Yes___
No___
Name of Deceased Child: _________________________________
Did this deceased child leave any children?
Yes___
No___
Deceased’s Grandchildren, if any:
Name Date of Birth Parents
__________________ _______________________________________
__________________ _______________________________________
__________________ _______________________________________
__________________ _______________________________________
Other Pertinent Family Information or Explanation of Above Items:
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Does the will or any other communication from the Deceased indicate who should be Personal Representative (“executor”) of the Deceased’s estate? (The Personal Representative is responsible for probating the will, paying debts, collecting the assets, and settling the estate.)
Yes___
No___
If so, who? ____________________________________________________
SAFE DEPOSIT BOX
Did the Deceased have a safe deposit box?
Yes___
No___
If so, where?_________________________________
Does anyone else have access to the box?____________________________________________
PROFESSIONALS
Did the Deceased have an attorney?
Yes___
No___
If Yes to the above, please give name and address:_____________________________________________
Did the Deceased have an accountant?
Yes___
No___
If Yes to the above, please give name and address:__________________________________________
Did the deceased have a financial planner, investment advisor or insurance agent?
Yes___
No___
If Yes to the above, please give name and address:_________________________________________
INFORMATION REGARDING THE DECEASED’S ASSETS
1. Estimated net worth of estate: $ ____________________
2. To the extent possible, collect information and documents regarding the Deceased’s accounts held at financial institutions:
3. To the extent possible, collect information and documents regarding the Deceased’s investments:
[ ] Cash or money fund accounts, or certificates of deposit with stockbroker firms.
[ ] Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds where the broker holds the certificates and sent the Deceased periodic statements showing the account balance.
[ ] Mutual funds where the Deceased dealt directly with the issuing company rather than through a stock broker.
[ ] Stocks and bonds (other than U.S. Savings Bonds) where the deceased held the certificates in your possession.
[ ] U.S. savings bonds.
[ ] Treasury bills or other government securities.
[ ] Limited partnerships.
[ ] Oil and gas royalty or working interests.
[ ] Oil and gas mineral rights in land.
[ ] Other securities [describe] _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. Retirement plans:
[ ] Individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Keogh, or other individual plans providing tax deferment for deposits and income.
[ ] Employer provided profit sharing, retirement, or other benefit plans:
5. Real estate:
[ ] Personal residence located in state of _______________________
[ ] Other property. How many different parcels of real estate did the Deceased own, other than his/her personal residence?_________
In what state(s) are these parcels located?_________________
Was the Deceased purchasing any of the above properties on a contract for deed? [ ] Yes [ ] No.
If Yes, provide details:_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
6. Complete this section if the deceased was engaged in business.
Did the Deceased own a business, or was he/she a partner in a business?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If Yes, complete the following:
[ ] Business is organized as a corporation. How many corporations?_______
How many corporations are subchapter S corporations?_______
[ ] Business is organized as a partnership. How many partnerships?_______
[ ] Business is a sole proprietorship. How many different firms? _______
7. Receivables: If any money is owed to the Deceased, as payments on contracts, where the Deceased sold a business, as payments on obligations secured by real estate, or where the Deceased loaned money to someone and held a note, indicate each type of indebtedness:
[ ] Promissory note(s) secured by real estate. Amount(s) owed:_____________
[ ] Installment contract(s) of sale of personal property. Amount(s) owed:_____
[ ] Unsecured promissory note(s). Amount(s) owed:_____________
8. Life Insurance Policies: For life insurance policies insuring the Deceased, indicate the name of the insurance company, the face amount of the policy ,and the type of policy.
Insurance Company Face Amount Type of Policy
______________________ __________ ___________
______________________ __________ ___________
______________________ __________ ___________
______________________ __________ ___________
9. Annuities: Please indicate the name of the annuitant and the type of annuity. Do not list annuities under which no benefits are payable after the death of the annuitant.
Regular annuities payable for guaranteed minimum term or amount: __________________
Tax deferred annuities: ______________________
10. Personal property other than automobiles, trucks, boats, and trailers:
[ ] Household furniture and appliances
[ ] Collections, art, antiques, valuable jewelry
[ ] Automobiles
[ ] Boats
[ ] Recreational vehicles
[ ] Motor home
[ ] Business machinery and equipment
[ ] Personal equipment and tools
[ ] Farm or ranch machinery and equipment (other than general tools)
[ ] Livestock
LIABILITIES
(Make a list of known liabilities or debts of the deceased.)
QUESTIONS
(Make a list of pertinent questions to ask your attorney.)
Get Legal Help with the Probate Process
The probate process can feel overwhelming, especially if you're grieving the death of a loved one. Luckily, an attorney can help. Get in touch with a local probate and estate administration attorney to guide you through the probate process.
