Here’s a detailed list of assets you should be looking for:
1. Financial Accounts
Bank Accounts: Checking, savings, and money market accounts.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Fixed-term savings accounts.
Brokerage Accounts: Accounts holding stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments.
Retirement Accounts: Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, and pension plans.
Cash: Physical cash and currency on hand.
2. Real Estate
Primary Residence: The deceased’s home.
Vacation Homes: Any secondary residences or vacation properties.
Rental Properties: Properties that generate rental income.
Undeveloped Land: Any plots of land owned.
Timeshares: Interests in vacation properties.
3. Personal Property
Vehicles: Cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and other motor vehicles.
Jewelry: Valuable jewelry and watches.
Collectibles: Art, coins, stamps, antiques, and other collectibles.
Household Items: Furniture, electronics, appliances, and other personal belongings.
Firearms: Guns and related items.
4. Business Interests
Ownership Stakes: Interests in privately held businesses, partnerships, or corporations.
Business Assets: Equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and intellectual property.
5. Insurance Policies
Life Insurance: Policies that pay out upon the death of the insured.
Health Insurance: Coverage details and any claims in process.
Disability Insurance: Coverage details and any claims in process.
Homeowners/Renters Insurance: Policies covering real estate and personal property.
Auto Insurance: Policies covering vehicles.
Umbrella Insurance: Additional liability coverage.
6. Investments
Stocks and Bonds: Individual securities and government or corporate bonds.
Mutual Funds: Investments in mutual funds.
Annuities: Fixed or variable annuities.
Treasury Securities: U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds.
7. Digital Assets
Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies.
Online Accounts: Email, social media, and online storage accounts.
Domain Names: Owned website domains.
Digital Collections: Music, videos, eBooks, and other digital media.
8. Intellectual Property
Patents: Registered patents and pending applications.
Trademarks: Registered trademarks and pending applications.
Copyrights: Registered copyrights and other intellectual property rights.
9. Income Sources
Employment Income: Final paychecks, bonuses, and unpaid vacation time.
Social Security: Social Security benefits and survivor benefits.
Pensions: Pension benefits and survivor benefits.
Annuities: Regular payments from annuities.
Rental Income: Income from rental properties.
10. Debts and Liabilities
Mortgages: Loans secured by real estate.
Credit Cards: Outstanding credit card balances.
Personal Loans: Unsecured personal loans.
Auto Loans: Loans secured by vehicles.
Medical Bills: Outstanding medical expenses.
Utilities and Final Bills: Outstanding utility bills and other final expenses.
11. Legal Documents
Will: The deceased’s last will and testament.
Trusts: Any trust agreements and related documents.
Power of Attorney: Financial and healthcare power of attorney documents.
Titles and Deeds: Proof of ownership for real estate and vehicles.
Marriage and Divorce Certificates: Marriage and divorce records.
Birth and Death Certificates: The deceased’s birth and death certificates.
Steps to Locate Assets
Review Personal Records: Check the deceased’s personal files, safe deposit boxes, and home office for important documents and account statements.
Access Online Accounts: Use the deceased’s computer or mobile devices to access email, financial accounts, and other online services.
Consult with Professionals: Speak with the deceased’s attorney, accountant, financial advisor, and insurance agent for information about assets.
Notify Financial Institutions: Contact banks, brokerage firms, and insurance companies to inform them of the death and request information on accounts.
Check Mail: Monitor the deceased’s mail for account statements, bills, and other financial information.
Search Public Records: Look up property records, business registrations, and court filings for information on real estate and business interests.
By thoroughly investigating and compiling this list of assets, you can ensure that all of the deceased’s property is accounted for and properly managed during the estate settlement process.