How do I locate and access the deceased person’s assets and accounts?

Locating and accessing the deceased person’s assets starts with gathering documents such as the Will and financial records.

Sometimes, all of these assets and where they can be found will be listed in the Will. However, many Wills simply reveal how the value of the estate will be divided, or only list a few selected items that the deceased wanted specific people to have.

Some common sources of information for finding the assets include the deceased’s lawyer or accountant, a list prepared by the deceased, and recent tax returns. An important step in accessing the deceased’s accounts involves notifying financial institutions and service providers of the death, accompanied by necessary documents like the death certificate and a grant of probate from the court.