What's the first thing to do when a family member dies without a will?

What is the first thing to do when a family member dies without a will? Decide who is going to be in charge of the estate(i.e., who will be the administrator/Personal Representative). Then you will need to decide whether to hire a lawyer. There are pros and cons to hiring a lawyer and doing the work yourself. If it is a complicated estate, I recommend hiring a lawyer from the beginning.

The next step is to go to the courthouse and retrieve the necessary paperwork to petition the court. Usually, there is a secretary or at least a station in the courthouse where these documents can be found.

Then you will want to gather the death certificate (have at least 10 originals made, these are needed to close accounts and prove to lenders that the death happened.

Once you have done this, I would gather all of the deceased's bank statements, bills, investments, vehicle titles, Insurance Policies, etc.

Now you will need to secure the assets (change locks, update passwords, move to a secure location, do not distribute to heirs, which is done through the court)

The last thing I would say to do as the "the first thing to do when a family member dies without a will?" it too inventory of everything in detail, bank statements, vehicles, insurance, bills, assets, investments.

1. Decide who will be the Administrator/Personal Representative

2. Decide to hire a lawyer or not? (If it is a complicated estate, I recommend this.)

3. Go to the courthouse and retrieve the necessary paperwork (usually at a secretary's desk or station)

4. Gather all necessary paperwork (10 Death Certificates, Bank Statements, Bills, Vehicle Titles, Insurance Policies, etc.)

5. Secure assets, change locks, update passwords, etc.

6. Inventory everything from numbers 4 and 5.

I am a realtor and not an attorney. This is not legal advice. I recommend hiring professionals to accomplish any and all things involved in this process, including hiring a competent realtor, like myself.

If you would like to see videos based on these items and other Probate examples you can do that on my YouTube page here