FREE CHECKLIST
Selling an Estate Home: Personal Representative Checklist
Indiana estates · Print it, keep it with your estate papers, and check off each step.
Hire an estate attorney
First weeks
Order several certified death certificates
Locate the will, deed, insurance policies, and financial records
Petition the court and receive letters (testamentary or of administration)
Get an EIN for the estate and open an estate bank account
File IRS Form 56 (notice of fiduciary relationship)
Protect the house
Change or rekey the locks
Notify the homeowner’s insurer; ask about vacancy coverage
Transfer utilities and keep on what the house needs
Winterize if needed; arrange lawn care and mail pickup
Remove valuables and important papers
Keep up with property taxes and mortgage payments if possible
Administration
Publish notice and notify heirs and known creditors
Notify Indiana Medicaid if the person who died was 55 or older
Prepare the inventory within 2 months of appointment
Review claims with the attorney; pay valid claims in order
Track every receipt and expense
Sell the house
Get a professional valuation (as-is and with light updates)
Confirm selling authority with the attorney (supervised estates need a court order)
Let family remove keepsakes; arrange cleanout or an estate sale
List, review offers with the attorney, and close
Deposit sale proceeds to the estate account
Taxes and closing the estate
File the final Form 1040 and Indiana return
File Form 1041 / IT-41 if the estate had $600+ in gross income
Ask your tax professional about a federal estate tax return
File the final account and distribute to heirs; keep records
Questions about the house? Call Darrin Galyean, REALTOR® · 317-201-4663
My Agent Realty · 7755 S Emerson Ave, Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46237 · Indiana license # RB14028265
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Consult an Indiana estate attorney about your estate.
My Agent Realty · 7755 S Emerson Ave, Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46237 · Indiana license # RB14028265
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Consult an Indiana estate attorney about your estate.
FREE CHECKLIST
Important Phone Numbers & Notes
Keep everyone’s contact information in one place.
Important phone numbers
| Contact | Name | Phone | Email / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estate attorney | |||
| Real estate broker | Darrin Galyean | 317-201-4663 | pcdarrin@ |
| Tax professional / CPA | |||
| Homeowner’s insurance | |||
| Mortgage lender | |||
| Bank (estate account) | |||
| Electric / gas | |||
| Water / sewer | |||
| Locksmith | |||
| Clean-out company | |||
| Auction company | |||
| Moving company | |||
| Title company | |||
| Family / heirs | |||
| Other |
Notes
Darrin Galyean, REALTOR® · My Agent Realty · 317-201-4663