Personal Representative Tools
Probate Resources
and Checklists
As a Personal Representative, you are responsible for managing every detail of the estate from the initial court filings to the final closing. These checklists and worksheets are designed to help you stay organized and avoid missing critical steps.
Each checklist covers a specific phase of the probate process. Print them out, copy them into your notes, or use them as a reference when meeting with your attorney, real estate agent, or title company. Marc Cormier has compiled these based on over 800 probate transactions across Maryland, DC, and Virginia.
Downloadable PDFs
Every checklist below is available as a downloadable PDF. Click the Download PDF link on any checklist to open a print-friendly version, then choose Save as PDF from your browser's print dialog (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) to keep a copy on your device.
Printable Reference
Essential Checklists for Personal Representatives
Probate Closing Checklist
- Title work complete
- Mortgage payoff ordered
- Utilities transferred
- Insurance maintained until closing
- Keys collected
- Garage remotes
- Mailbox keys
- Government-issued ID
- Estate bank account confirmed
- Final walk-through completed
Probate Documents Checklist
- Letters of Administration / Letters Testamentary
- Death certificate (multiple certified copies)
- Existing deed
- Mortgage information
- HOA documents
- Tax bills
- Utility bills
- Insurance information
- Seller disclosures
- Estate Tax ID (EIN)
Probate Repairs Worksheet
- Current condition assessment
- Repair estimates from contractors
- As-is value estimate
- After-repair value estimate
- Carrying costs during repairs
- Expected return on investment
- Decision: repair, stage, or sell as-is
Probate Home Inventory Checklist
- Secure the property
- Change locks if needed
- Verify insurance coverage
- Document all contents
- Identify valuable items
- Locate important documents
- Photograph everything
- Create inventory list
Questions to Ask a Cash Buyer
- Do you have proof of funds?
- Will you assign the contract?
- Can you reduce the price later?
- How much earnest money?
- Who pays closing costs?
- What contingencies are included?
- When can you close?
- Have you purchased probate property before?
Questions to Ask a Title Company
- Do you handle probate transactions?
- What is your timeline?
- How do you resolve title issues?
- What are your fees?
- Do you coordinate with the probate attorney?
How to Use
How to Use These Checklists
Step 1
Print or Copy
Print the checklists you need or copy them into a notebook. Check off each item as it is completed to maintain a clear record of your progress.
Step 2
Bring to Meetings
Take the relevant checklist to your meetings with the probate attorney, real estate agent, title company, and contractors. It keeps everyone aligned.
Step 3
Consult an Expert
Checklists keep you organized, but every estate is unique. Marc Cormier offers free consultations to help Personal Representatives navigate their specific situation.
Experienced Guidance
Need Help Navigating
Your Probate Sale?
Marc Cormier has closed over 800 probate, distressed, and trustee sale transactions. Whether you are a first-time Personal Representative or a seasoned attorney, Marc can help you move the process forward with confidence.
Explore More
More Probate Resources
These checklists are just one piece of the puzzle. Explore Marc's full library of probate articles, glossary terms, and detailed county guides to build a complete understanding of the estate process.
Legal Note
Court requirements vary depending on the circumstances of the estate. Consult your probate attorney for guidance.
Legal Disclaimer
The information in this guide is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Probate laws vary, and every estate is different. Marc Cormier and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty are not acting as your attorneys or accountants. Before making legal decisions regarding an estate, consult with a competent Maryland probate attorney or other qualified professional familiar with your specific circumstances.
Free Probate Value Analysis
Get Your Free Probate Value Analysis™: Know What the Estate Property Is Worth
Schedule Your Free Probate Value Analysis™
Every Personal Representative needs a clear, defensible picture of the estate's most valuable asset before making decisions. The Probate Value Analysis™ gives you eight essential data points in one free consultation, with no obligation.
For Personal Representatives
How the Probate Value Analysis™ Helps You Make Informed Decisions
As Personal Representative, you carry a fiduciary duty to protect the value of the estate. Every decision you make about the property, whether to sell as-is, make repairs, or list on the open market, has financial consequences for the heirs and beneficiaries.
The Probate Value Analysis™ is designed to give you the complete picture before you commit to any path. Instead of guessing at the numbers or relying on a single data point, you get eight specific, actionable data points that cover every angle of the property's value and market position.
The analysis gives you a valuation you can present to the Orphans' Court and the Register of Wills with confidence, backed by a real in-person inspection and market data.
By comparing as-is value against after-improvement value, you can make an informed choice about whether repairs or staging will generate a strong return for the estate.
The analysis helps you explain the recommended strategy to all beneficiaries clearly, with documented reasoning they can understand and trust.
Making the right decision the first time saves months of court delays and prevents the property from sitting vacant, losing value while the estate carries holding costs.
Get Your Free Probate Value Analysis™
Marc Cormier provides this analysis as part of a free, no-obligation consultation. You get the full picture before you decide anything.