Tax Law Center Blog

By Parag P. Patel, Esq. | Updated January 21, 2009

If you are the executor of a will there are many things you must do to get that will ready for probate. Probate means the process by which the deceased’s assets are gathered; outstanding debts, taxes, and expenses of the funeral and the probate process are paid; and the assets are distributed to the beneficiaries in the will. Following here are the top ten things needed to prepare for probate.

Get names and addresses of all person named in the will;

Determine if the deceased has any pending financial or legal matters requiring immediate attention;

Arrange for a meeting with everyone named in the will;

Gather, do not destroy, any of the deceased’s records, tax returns, checks, or other documents;

Get death certificates (from funeral home);

Keep careful records of all funeral-related expenses;

Don’t pay debts unless truly necessary;

Change locks on the door if deceased lived alone;

Secure valuable items;

Notify insurance carriers of the recent death.

About the Author

Parag P. Patel, Esq. brings over three decades of experience to individuals and businesses facing complex tax problems. Holding advanced degrees from Georgetown University Law Center (J.D.) and New York University School of Law (LL.M. in Tax Law), the nation’s top tax programs, Mr. Patel delivers sophisticated and creative strategies in complicated federal and state audits, penalty abatements, and foreign asset/income reporting. His practice emphasizes international tax matters, specifically foreign financial account reporting (FBAR), voluntary disclosures, and penalty defense.

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