Statements, Bills, and Legal Documents

After someone dies, the surviving family members will need to gather up all of the decedent's important papers. This will give the family members and/or probate attorney who will be assisting with settling the decedent's final affairs all of the pertinent information needed to complete the settlement process. Here's the list of documents that will be needed to settle an estate or trust. Copies of the documents will work just fine unless otherwise noted.

Asset information

 

Copies or originals of the following documents will be needed:

Account Statements - including bank, brokerage, and retirement accounts for at least the three months prior to death

 

Life Insurance Policies - note that some insurance companies will require the return of the original insurance policy

 

Beneficiary Designations - for life insurance, retirement accounts, and payable on death accounts

 

Deeds for Real Estate - there's a common misconception that the original deed is needed, but a copy will work just fine

 

Automobile and Boat Titles - the originals will be needed to transfer legal title

 

Stock and Bond Certificates - for stocks or bonds held in certificate form, the original certificate will be needed to transfer legal title

Business Documents

 

If the decedent owned a business, then copies or originals of the following documents will be needed:

Corporate, LLC or Partnership Documents - this includes copies of the corporate charter or articles of organization and minutes; a copy of the shareholder's agreement, operating agreement, or partnership agreement; and original stock or LLC certificates to transfer legal title

 

Account Statements - including bank, brokerage, and retirement accounts for at least the three months prior to death

 

Automobile and Boat Titles - the originals will be needed if legal title will be transferred

 

Contracts - including leases, loans, and employment agreements

 

Business Licenses - including local and state licenses

 

Income Tax Returns - past three years

Contracts

 

Copies or originals of the following contracts will be needed:

Prenuptial Agreements - including any amendments

 

Postnuptial Agreements - including any amendments

 

Loans - including personal loans, lines of credit, and mortgages, along with the original promissory notes

 

Leases - including real estate and automobile leases

Bills

 

Copies of the following bills will be needed:

Utility Bills

Cell Phone Bills

 

Credit Card Bills

 

Mortgages and Personal Loans - including lines of credit

 

Real Estate Tax Bills

 

Storage Unit Bills

 

Medical Bills

 

Funeral Bill

Estate Planning Documents

 

If the decedent had an estate plan, then copies or originals of the following documents will be needed:

Last Will and Testament and Any Codicils - the originals will be required because if the originals can't be found, then it's presumed the decedent destroyed them

 

Revocable Living Trust and Any Amendments - strangely a copy of the trust or amendment is all that's usually needed

Tax Returns

 

Copies of the last three years of the following tax returns will be needed:

Federal Income Tax Returns

 

State Income Tax Returns

 

Gift Tax Returns

Death Certificates

 

Multiple, original death certificates will be needed to settle the decedent's affairs. I tell my clients to order ten at a minimum.

Tags: dies surviving needed information settlement accounts insurance needed including originals copies documents bills estate returns decedent original following death