Managing a deceased estate means dealing with a mountain of paperwork. It’s worth taking the time to organise everything properly. Well-sorted documents make the whole process much easier. Follow these five simple steps to get things in order:

Step 1 – Identify the key documents

Start with the essentials: the Will, death certificate and any bank account or asset statements.
Tip: Don’t hole-punch or staple these! Place them in plastic sleeves for protection and then into your file.

Step 2 – Sort paperwork into categories

Group documents by asset, liability, or service. Each bank account, motor vehicle, investment, super fund, loan, credit card, etc. should have its own category. Do the same for services like Centrelink, Telstra, health insurance, and so on.

Step 3 – Focus on what matters

Within each category, pull out the most recent and relevant documents, usually just one or two per category. Set these aside for filing. Bundle the rest together and store them away. You probably won’t need them now, but they’ll be there if you do later.

Step 4 – File your documents

Use a lever-arch file or electronic file (e.g. Dropbox) dedicated to the estate. Separate categories with dividers and keep documents in strict chronological order with the newest on top. As new paperwork arrives, file it the same way.

Keep all estate records in one place and separate from your personal documents.

Step 5 – Create an index

Make a simple three-column index with headings: Asset/Liability | Value | Progress
List each item, note its monetary value (if applicable) and track your progress. Update as you go.

If you’re unsure about your responsibilities or just want to hand the paperwork over to someone else, we’re here to help. Contact us for advice and support to make sure everything is handled correctly.