Settling an estate after the death of a parent is not just an emotional task but also a legal responsibility. Whether you’re the executor named in a will or the next of kin in the absence of one, you’re required to locate and list all of their assets (as well as debts) and initiate the probate process when necessary.
There are also other reasons why people need to find the assets of their deceased parents. For instance, many people also search for their deceased parents’ assets to claim inheritance or ensure nothing is left behind unaccounted for.
Regardless of the reason why you want to find the assets of your deceased parents, there are various ways to go about this. In this article, we will go over how to find deceased parents’ assets through a wide range of methods. Read on to learn everything you need to know about finding your deceased parents’ assets.
How to Find Deceased Parents’ Assets Online
Before dealing with legal procedures, know that there are ways to find deceased parents’ assets online. Here’s how you can locate the assets of your deceased parents following online methods.
Use a People Search Engine
An easy way to find your deceased parents’ assets is using a people search engine. These work similarly to Google, but instead of gathering everything that’s available on the internet and presenting it to you, these tools bring up details about people from public records and databases. This includes a wide range of information about assets, including properties.
There are many people search sites, but you can use a reliable, free people finder like FreePeopleSearch.com. It is a free-to-use people search engine that scans public databases and web pages to prepare a report that details property deeds, tax records, ownership history, and other information to help you prepare a list of assets.
If their will has been in the probate process, FreePeopleSearch.com can also help you locate their will since wills are public records. With all this at your disposal for free, we highly recommend using this people search engine to find deceased parents’ assets.
Check Emails
If you have access to your deceased parents’ email accounts, search their inboxes. Bank statements, invoices from law firms, life insurance policies, and emails from financial institutions can help you prepare a list of their assets other than real estate properties.
By checking their emails, you might also come across digital assets as well as brokerage accounts. Even though you might not be able to access them right away, finding these can also help you pinpoint any potential assets.
How to Find Deceased Parents’ Assets: Bonus Methods
If your online search doesn’t lead you to what you’re looking for, or you aren’t satisfied with what you’ve found so far, here are some bonus methods that can help you in your search for deceased parents’ assets.
Visit the Probate Court
Probate court records are updated pretty quickly, but it might take a few days for them to appear online. For those who want to find their deceased parents’ assets urgently, visiting the probate court is the quickest way to locate a will, which will ultimately help you get a list of their assets.
Ask Trusted Family Members and Friends
Trusted family members and close friends likely knew your parents’ assets. Although every person you ask may not know everything about the assets of your parents, they can lead you to where their accounts or assets were held.
By asking trusted people, you might even be able to discover that your parents had possessions like gold or other valuables hidden somewhere.
How to find Deceased Parents’ Assets: What Comes Next?
Now that you’ve read everything about how to find your deceased parent’s assets, your next step is to ensure everything is properly handled once you locate them.
Depending on the type of assets you find, you’ll need to submit documents to the probate court, pay off any debts your parents may have left behind, and distribute the assets according to your parents’ will. If there is no will, the assets must be distributed in accordance with state laws. Additionally, there may be tax implications, so it’s important to handle tax filings to avoid complications in the future.
Given the complexity of these tasks, it is a good idea to consult a professional rather than handle everything on your own. This will ensure you handle everything appropriately and avoid potential problems in the future due to an error.
