Focus on three things: secure assets, gather documents, and start the wills notice search. Everything else can wait.
Week 1: Immediate tasks
- ☐ Arrange the funeral (if not already done)
- ☐ Locate the original will
- ☐ Secure the deceased's home
- ☐ Order death certificates (get 5-10 copies)
- ☐ Notify immediate family members
- ☐ Find important documents (bank statements, property titles, insurance)
Week 2: Administrative setup
- ☐ Notify banks (to freeze accounts from unauthorized access)
- ☐ Cancel credit cards
- ☐ Redirect mail
- ☐ Cancel subscriptions and recurring payments
- ☐ Notify employer and stop direct deposits
- ☐ Contact any pension administrators
Week 3: Start probate process
- ☐ Submit wills notice search (don't delay – takes 2-4 weeks)
- ☐ Make a list of all assets and estimated values
- ☐ Make a list of all debts
- ☐ Identify all beneficiaries and their contact info
- ☐ Contact financial institutions to ask their probate requirements
Week 4: Plan next steps
- ☐ Decide if you need probate (based on asset types and values)
- ☐ Decide if you'll handle it yourself or get help
- ☐ Start preparing P1 notices if probate is needed
- ☐ Open an estate bank account (or plan to once you have authority)
Most important first-month task
Submit the wills notice search request to Vital Statistics. It takes 2-4 weeks to process, and you can't file for probate without it. Do this in week 2 or 3 at the latest.
What can wait
- Filing for probate (you need the wills search result first)
- Selling real estate
- Distributing assets
- Final tax returns (not due immediately)