Executor Handbook NSW | Executor's Checklist
Print this page. Stick it on the fridge. Tick things off as they're done. This is the compact view of the work, organised by phase. For the long-form, search-optimised version with more detail on each task, read the full executor checklist article.
First Two Weeks
- Register the death. Ask for at least six certified copies of the death certificate.
- Locate the original will.
- Visit and secure the property. Check locks, collect keys, clear perishables.
- Notify the bank, superannuation fund, Centrelink, employer, and insurers.
- Use the Australian Death Notification Service for one-stop notifications.
- Redirect mail through Australia Post.
For the detailed walkthrough of each task, see chapter 2: the first two weeks.
Weeks Two to Eight
- Engage a solicitor if you're using one.
- Confirm unoccupied-property insurance cover with the insurer.
- Transfer utility billing into the estate's name.
- Photograph every room. Begin a written inventory.
- Identify valuables. Arrange formal valuations where needed.
- File the probate application.
After Probate Granted
- Open a dedicated estate bank account.
- Close the deceased's accounts and consolidate funds.
- Pay outstanding debts and tax liabilities.
- Distribute specific bequests to named beneficiaries.
- Engage a property-clearance specialist.
- Clean the property to market-ready standard.
- Obtain a sworn valuation of the property.
- Engage a real estate agent, if selling.
Final Steps
- Sell or transfer the property.
- Finalise the estate accounts.
- Distribute the residue to beneficiaries.
- Retain all records for at least five years after completion.
How to Use This Checklist
Work through it phase by phase. Phase one runs in the first fortnight while you're still gathering yourself. Phase two runs while probate is being prepared. Phase three only starts once the Grant of Probate is in your hand. Phase four wraps the estate.
Don't skip ahead. You can't distribute assets before probate is granted. You shouldn't clear the property before documents are recovered. You shouldn't sell before the property is properly valued.
Some tasks run in parallel. Insurance, utilities, and inspections all have to happen alongside probate, not after it. The phases are about what you can finalise, not about what's allowed to be in progress.
If a task feels stuck, the broader chapters in this handbook explain what to do. The ten common mistakes chapter is worth reading if you're worried about something you might be missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to do everything on this list?
Most of it, yes. Some tasks only apply if the estate has specific assets (super, multiple bank accounts, investment holdings). Skip what's genuinely not applicable. Property tasks, probate tasks, and notification tasks apply to almost every estate.
In what order should I do these?
Phase order matters. The first two weeks are critical. Probate prep can start while you're still on early tasks. But you can't distribute assets until probate is granted. Property maintenance runs in parallel throughout.
What if I miss a task?
Most tasks can be picked up later. Insurance is the exception. If the unoccupied-property cover lapses and there's a burglary or burst pipe, you have no recourse. Notify the insurer in the first week even if you can't get to anything else.
Do I really need a written inventory?
Yes. Photograph every room before anything moves. List valuables. This protects you if a beneficiary later questions what was there or where something went. It also speeds up valuation when you reach that step.
How long does the whole process take?
A straightforward NSW estate runs 6 to 12 months. Complex estates run 12 months or more. Probate alone is typically 2 to 3 months from filing. Don't rush. Document as you go.
Next: Useful Contacts and Resources
The contacts list covers the agencies, financial institutions, charities, and support services you'll reach for over the next year.
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Open the immersive read of the full handbook
If the property side of this checklist (clearing, securing, maintaining, preparing for sale) is becoming the bottleneck, that's exactly the work I do. Phone 0428 613 163 or email info@aegispropertyconsultants.com.au.