The Complete Executor's Checklist: Every Task, in Order

Being an executor is less about one big decision and more about a long sequence of small ones, stretched over months. This is the whole arc, grouped by when each task actually comes up — so you can do what's in front of you and stop carrying the rest in your head.

Nothing here is urgent unless it's in the first section. Work top to bottom, at your own pace.

Every item links to a short, plain-language how-to — so you're never left staring at a step you don't know how to take. (Links go live as each guide publishes.)

First 72 hours

• Arrange care for dependents and pets
• Make sure the death is formally pronounced — a doctor or nurse does this in a hospital or care home; at home call hospice (if expected) or 911 (if sudden). (See: The Executor's First Week)
• Begin funeral, burial, or cremation arrangements
• Secure the home (locks, mail, perishables, insurance still active)
• Locate the will, or confirm there isn't one
• Order 6–10 death certificates

First two weeks

• Confirm you are the named executor / estate trustee
• Notify immediate family and close friends
• Start one folder for key documents (will, certificates, statements, deeds, titles, policies, last tax return)
• Find and review insurance policies (life, home, auto)
• Identify whether the estate will need probate (ask each institution)
• Forward the mail and keep a log of bills and incoming notices

First month

• Open an estate bank account once you have authority
• Make a full inventory of assets and debts
• Get date-of-death valuations for real estate and significant assets
• Apply for probate / the certificate of appointment, if required
• Notify banks, pensions, government benefits, and creditors
• Cancel subscriptions, memberships, and recurring charges
• Decide which professionals you need (lawyer, accountant, appraiser, realtor)

Months two to six

• Pay valid debts and ongoing expenses from the estate account
• Advertise for creditors if appropriate in your jurisdiction
• File the deceased's final income tax return
• File any estate (trust) tax returns required
• Manage or sell estate property as needed
• Keep clear records of every dollar in and out

Before you close the estate

• Obtain tax clearance (e.g., a CRA Clearance Certificate in Canada) before distributing
• Confirm all debts, taxes, and claims are fully settled
• Prepare a final accounting for the beneficiaries
• Distribute the remaining estate according to the will or the law
• Get releases/sign-offs from beneficiaries
• Keep your records for several years in case questions arise

Save your checklist

This list is yours to keep. Save a copy you can tick off over the coming months, and we'll send the jurisdiction-specific version for your province or state as you need it.

(Email capture: "Send me the full checklist.")

Foxglove is a guide, not a law firm. This checklist is general information, not legal or tax advice. The exact steps, deadlines, and clearances differ by province and state — we'll point you to the right specifics and the right professional when a step calls for one.