step-by-step process


This site provides information for life transitions:

  • Life Planning: legacy & medical directives
  • Preparing for when someone is about to die
  • Managing after death: grief & family estate settlement

Click the steps below for "what to do and when". Register (free) to track checklist items online. Click here, for a printable copy of this checklist.


  topic: life planning - medical directives Planning
Step 1: Create a Medical Power of Attorney  
Step 2: Create a Living Will  
  topic: preparing for end of life - final days Preparing
Step 1: Notify Family and Friends  
Step 2: Determine if a change of residence is required  
Step 3: Hospice Care  
Step 4: Locate Important Documents  
Step 5: Reduce or Avoid Probate  
Step 6: Determine Initial Funeral Preferences  
  topic: managing a traditional funeral week 1
Step 1: Make First Calls and Arrangements  
Step 2: Arrange Care for Children, Dependents, and Pets  
Step 3: Arrange for Care of the Residence  
Step 4: Understand the “Funeral Rule”  
Step 5: Meet with the Funeral Director  
Step 6: Accomplish Activities Prior to the Funeral  
Step 7: Accomplish Activities the Day of the Funeral  
Step 8: Finalize Details after the Funeral  
  topic: first days after death week 1
Step 1: Identify the executor  
Step 2: Secure the Property  
Step 3: Locate and Secure Valuables  
Step 4: Initiate Planning for Long Term Care  
Step 5: Obtain Certified Copies of the Death Certificate  
Step 6: Freeze Financial Accounts  
Step 7: Determine if an Estate Attorney is Needed  
Step 8: Pay Critical Estate Expenses  
Step 9: Record the Will  
Step 10: Notify Social Security  
  topic: executing a living trust month 1-2
Step 1: Obtain an Affidavit  
Step 2: Identify Property Held in Trust  
Step 3: Notify Heirs and Beneficiaries  
Step 4: Appraise Valuable Property  
Step 5: Pay Debts and Expenses  
Step 6: Transfer Property  
Step 7: Close the Trust  
  topic: opening probate month 1-2
Step: Answer 3 Key Questions  
Step: Estimate Size of Probated Estate - All Assets  
Step: Determine Affidavit Procedure Qualification for Small Estates  
Step: Determine Summary Procedure Qualification for Small Estates  
Step: Formally Appoint an Administrator- Estates Without a Will  
Step: Open Regular Probate - UPC States  
Step: Formal or Informal Probate - UPC States  
Step: Open Regular Probate - Non-UPC States  
Step: Open Regular Probate for Property in Non-Domicile States  
  topic: gather information, make notifications month 1-2
Step 1: Obtain an Employer Identification Number  
Step 2: Establish an Estate Checking Account  
Step 3: Notify Financial Institutions and Employer  
Step 4: Notify Creditors  
Step 5: Notify Personal, Household, and Medical Accounts  
Step 6: Notify Government Entities  
  topic: organize finances and pay bills month 3-4
Step 1: Consolidate Bank Accounts  
Step 2: Pay Bills for the Residential Property  
Step 3: Pay Bills Associated with Rental Properties  
Step 4: Pay Bills for Vehicles  
Step 5: Analyze Security Holdings  
Step 6: Pay Miscellaneous Bills  
  topic: inventory and appraise assets month 5
Step 1: Identify and Locate Estate Assets  
Step 2: Inventory Assets, Details, and Probate Status  
Step 3: Seek Appraisals for Specified Assets  
  topic: pay estate debts, taxes, and expenses month 6
Step 1: Pay Family Allowances  
Step 2: Pay Professional Administration Expenses  
Step 3: Pay Funeral Costs  
Step 4: Pay Taxes  
Step 5: Pay Medical Expenses and Other Debts  
  topic: distribute non-probate assets month 7
Step 1: Identify Non-Probate Assets  
Step 2: Distribute Personal Items  
Step 3: Transfer Non-Probate Property and Assets  
  topic: closing probate month 9+
Step 1: Notify Beneficiaries  
Step 2: Close Probate (Informal and Summary Cases Only)  
Step 3: Close Regular or Formal Probate  
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