1. Money  Step by Step Guide - How to Probate an Estate   1 of 6
Step 1 of Estate Settlement - Inventory the Decedent's Documents
and Assets  Most people have little experience dealing with what
happens after their loved one dies and they get appointed as
Personal Representative/Executor to settle the estate. The
purpose of this guide is to provide a general overview of the 6
steps required to probate an estate.  Before being appointed to
serve as Personal Representative/Executor, the first step in
probating an estate is to locate all of the decedent's estate
planning documents and other important papers.  The decedent's
estate planning documents may include a Last Will and Testament,
funeral, cremation, burial or memorial instructions, and/or a
Revocable Living Trust. The original documents should be stored
in a safe place until they can be given to the estate attorney.
The decedent's important papers will include information about
the decedent's assets, including bank and brokerage statements,
stock and b