Checklist: Preparing to see a lawyer
You can print this checklist to help you remember the things you should take with you to your first meeting with a lawyer about dealing with a deceased's estate.
|
The will | - original or photocopy if the original cannot be located
- contact details of beneficiaries, if known
|
|
Death certificate | - Original or certified copy of the Death Certificate
|
|
Bank accounts | - statements, passbooks, debit cards
- any other account held in the deceased's name
|
|
Unpaid bills | - utilities (for example, electricity gas, telephone)
- rent
|
|
Cars, boats, caravans
| - make and model
- registration papers
- estimated market value
- insurance policies
|
|
Shares
| - name of company
- number and class of shares
- certificates
- dividend payments or statements
|
|
Real estate
| - addresses of all properties owned by the deceased
- type of ownership (sole, joint tenancy or as tenants in common)
- location of title deed
- estimated market value
|
|
Liabilities | - details of any home loans or mortgages
- personal loans and car finance loans
- credit card debts and store cards
- outstanding bills for mobile phone, household utilities, council rates, water rates and strata levies
- taxation debts, including HELP debts
- other debts owed to another person/company
|
|
Funeral account | - invoice or receipt (if paid)
|
|
Insurance policies
| - details of any health or life insurance policy
|
|
List of questions
| - legal costs
- payment method
|