Taxation & Estate Planning

Probate Checklist

By Joel A. Schoenmeyer

One of my very long-range projects is creating a comprehensive, soup-to-nuts checklist for Illinois probate. This may be a stand-alone website with just my own content, or I may set it up as a wiki. Anyway, here is the rough outline of things I hope to cover, which can serve as a very rough checklist for Illinois probates:

1.0 Deal with funeral and related post-death matters (including anatomical gifts)

2.0 Find and file the Will, if any

3.0 Compile a list of the decedent?s assets and liabilities

4.0 Compile a list of the decedent?s heirs and (if there?s a Will) legatees

5.0 Determine who will be personal representative (executor or administrator)

6.0 Initiate a probate proceeding (if needed)

7.0 Deal with initial practical matters (forward mail, contact social security, etc.)

8.0 Collect property

9.0 Liquidate or otherwise manage property

10.0 Deal with claims, if any

11.0 Deal with litigation, if any

12.0 Pay taxes

13.0 Close the estate

Full post as published by Death and Taxes Blog on September 15, 2008 (boomark / email).