How to Find Assets of a Decedent

There is no one easy way to track down all the possible financial accounts a decedent may have had. If no estate has been opened you have the added problem that no company or agency will talk to you since you do not have the legal right to inquire into the decedent's records.   Naturally then you should start by opening her estate and armed with your Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary you can demand answers.

Here are several often overlooked sources of information:

 (1) File notice of fiduciary appointment with the IRS (form 56) then request wage and income transcripts from the IRS for the three years prior to her death. If she has any interest or dividend earning account, it will likely show up when the bank/institution filed their 1099s with the IRS.

(2) Periodically check the unclaimed property website for the state she lived in during at the time of her death, and all other states in which she lived during the last 20 years.

(3) File US postal change of address forms so that any mail sent to her will be routed to you. (4) If you have copies of tax returns she filed, look for schedule B, interest and dividend income, or check to see if she had any refunds direct deposited (right above the signature portion of form 1040).

(4) Pull her credit report. Frequently people will borrow money or open a credit card with a bank or institution where they have deposit accounts.

(5) If you have access to her mobile phone or computer, check the installed apps or her browsing history.

 (6) Rummage through her files and wallets and follow up with all issuers of credit or debit cards.

(7) If she worked within the last few years of her life, check with her employer to see if she had direct deposit of her paycheck.

All of the above can be difficult if not impossible if no one has been appointed administrator or executor of her estate. This task is also much more difficult you are also estranged from her family. Cooperation among all concerned can make this much more effective.  We can help you.  Schedule a consultation today.