1. Complete all documentation necessary to become the personal representative (Petition for Letters and Oath at a minimum)

2. Gather information on the decedent and the decedent’s probate assets (this is required for the Petition)

3. Make an appointment with the probate clerk (not always necessary)

4. Meet with the probate clerk (again, not always necessary)

5. Inventory Safe Deposit boxes (You may need a Court Order to open this if you are trying to do it before the Letters are issued by the Clerk)

6. Gather and protect estate property

7. retain experts (CPA’s, Attorneys, Financial Planners, for example)

8. determine value of non-probate assets (probably won’t get far with this until you have the Letters issued from the Clerk)

9. investigate potential wrongful death claims (you will have to disclose whether there is a wrongful death claim)

10. obtain tax identification number (you will need this before you open an Estate Account)

11. open estate bank account (using the tax identification number as the “social security number” so to speak of the Estate Account)

12. pay the year’s allowance (if the surviving spouse requires it)

13. activate or terminate government benefits

14. obtain prior tax returns

15. obtain death certificates (the funeral home usually orders these for the family when they burial arrangements are made. I would order at least 10)

16. publish notice to creditors (cannot do this until the Letters have been issued by the Clerk)

17. identify legal obligations of the decedent (creditors, etc.)

18. start going through decedent’s personal effects to determine where assets may be held and or any liabilities he or she has outstanding

19. keep very detailed records on any checks deposited into the Estate Account as well as any checks written from the account

20. Call an attorney if you get too overwhelmed with the process!

1.  The original Last Will and Testament;

2.  All the full names, mailing addresses and ages of each Beneficiary named in the Last Will and Testament;

3.  Application for Letters Testamentary;

4. Oath of Office;

5. Bond (if required);

6. Appointment of Resident Process Agent (if the Executor resides outside of North Carolina);

7. Filing fee of $61.00 and

8. Notice to Beneficiaries

Once the initial documents are filed and approved by the Clerk of Court, he or she will issue Letters Testamentary.  Letters Testamentary is the legal authority for the named Executor to investigate the location of assets and to collect the assets.  The Executor is not required to supply exact information regarding the assets on your initial Application for Letters Testamentary.  The Court will require that information 90 days later when the Executor files the 90 Day Inventory.