Quick answer

A calm first-step checklist for protecting people, property, information, and deadlines before making irreversible estate decisions.

Protect people and property first

In the first days, focus on people and preservation. Arrange care for dependents and animals, secure the residence and vehicles, protect medications and valuables, notify the appropriate medical or funeral professionals, and identify urgent obligations such as utilities, insurance, and property security.

Locate records without changing them

Locate—but do not alter—the original will, trust documents, deeds, account statements, insurance policies, business records, tax returns, military or benefit records, safe-deposit information, passwords or access instructions, and a list of likely creditors. Preserve mail, email, devices, and paper files because they may reveal assets, debts, recurring payments, and deadlines.

Do not act without legal authority

Do not distribute property, use accounts, sign as personal representative, or assume a power of attorney continues after death without legal authority. A power of attorney terminates when the principal dies. Okla. Stat. tit. 58, § 3010(A)(1) (2025). The correct next step may involve a trust administration, probate, a small-estate procedure, beneficiary claim, transfer-on-death process, or no court filing at all.

Build a dated inventory and deadline list

Create a dated contact log and inventory, order certified death certificates in an appropriate number, and seek advice before making tax elections, selling property, paying disputed debts, or missing a court, benefit, insurance, or creditor deadline. The sequence depends on the documents, assets, family, Tribal or other jurisdictional issues, and current law.

Practical next steps

  • Secure the residence, vehicles, mail, devices, medications, valuables, and care for dependents or animals.
  • Locate original estate documents and preserve financial, insurance, business, benefit, and tax records.
  • Avoid distributing property or using accounts until authority and ownership are confirmed.
  • Create one dated log of contacts, expenses, documents, assets, debts, and deadlines.

Primary sources