3.
Sign your name as 'Personal Representative for the Estate of (name of decedent)' on accounts and securities which are registered to the estate.
4.
Locate, collect and maintain all property owned by the decedent. Keep motor vehicles and real estate insured and protected. Inventory the contents of any safe deposit box.
5.
Prepare an inventory describing all property belonging to the estate, with date of death values, no later than two (2) months after your appointment, and file it with the Court and serve a copy on all known heirs; beneficiaries and distributees of the estate. Obtain appraisals if necessary.
6.
Open a separate checking account in your name as "personal representative for the estate of (the decedent)", and NEVER CO-MINGLE your funds or anyone else's funds with this account. Always make estate expenditures by check and retain proof of payment. Make sure the bank is willing to return cancelled checks to you if needed. Obtain a federal I.D. number for the checking account. Do not use your Social Security number or decedent's Social Security number. It is recommended by the court that you leave the checkbook with your lawyer so that the lawyer can aid you in maintaining accurate records of receipts and expenditures for final accounting purposes.
A.
DO NOT put any of your funds or anyone else's funds in the estate checking account.
B.
Always pay for estate expenses by checks from the estate checking account. Do not pay any expenses with cash.
C.
Keeps records of all deposits including the identity of the person or entity paying the money into the estate.
7.
Ascertain all debts that the decedent owed. Look through decedent's tax returns and other papers. Talk to anyone who knew decedent's business. Consult your attorney as to payment of debts, costs of administration, bond premiums, and funeral bills. Some debts may be unenforceable, some may have priority over others. DO NOT MAKE any distribution to an heir or devisee without prior consent from your attorney. Always obtain receipts for all distributions made.
8.
Immediately fill out a change of address at the post office to have the decedent's mail forwarded to you.
9.
Prepare and file income tax returns for the tax year in which the decedent died and any returns for prior years if needed. Timely prepare and file any estate or fiduciary income tax returns and pay taxes as they come due.
10.
Have your attorney provide written notice of the administration of the estate to all known creditors of the estate.
11.
If the decedent owned a business or was involved in contracts which were not yet fully performed have your attorney obtain directions from the Court as to those matters.
12.
DO NOT MAKE any distribution of personal property or real estate to an heir or devisee without prior Court order.
13.
NEVER borrow estate property or put it to your own personal use.