The Harris County Executor Checklist

1. 1

   Locate the original Last Will and Testament, Codicils, and Trust documents

   You
2. 2

   Obtain certified copies of the death certificate from Texas DSHS Vital Statistics or the Harris County Clerk (10–15 copies is practical guidance, not a statutory requirement)

   You
3. 3

   Secure the Decedent’s primary residence (change exterior door locks immediately)

   You
4. 4

   Secure out-of-building structures (garage, shed, storage units, barns)

   You
5. 5

   Set up security cameras or ring doorbells if property will be vacant

   You
6. 6

   Perform an initial walk-through to secure physical valuables (cash, jewelry, firearms, art)

   You
7. 7

   Collect all house keys, vehicle keys, and access cards

   You
8. 8

   Locate and secure passcodes to electronic safes, key boxes, and deadbolts

   You
9. 9

   Secure all personal vehicles, motorcycles, boats, and RVs on the property

   You
10. 10

    Confirm physical property insurance is active (homeowners, condo, or fire policy)

    Shared
11. 11

    Notify the homeowners insurance provider that the home is vacant

    You
12. 12

    Secure and lock up all firearms in accordance with Texas and federal law

    You
13. 13

    Gather and store perishable items; clear out refrigerators and pantries

    You
14. 14

    Locate, secure, and feed pets or domestic animals on the property

    You
15. 15

    Arrange short-term or permanent foster care for pets if necessary

    You
16. 16

    Retrieve all mail from the mailbox and porch daily

    You
17. 17

    File a change-of-address form with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to forward mail to Executor

    You
18. 18

    Locate key financial documentation (tax returns, bank statements, deed copies, vehicle titles)

    Specialist
19. 19

    Review the Will to identify designated beneficiaries and specific devises

    Shared
20. 20

    Review the Will to determine if it specifies Independent or Dependent Administration

    Shared
21. 21

    Identify the designated alternate Executor if named primary cannot serve

    Shared
22. 22

    Gather full legal names, contact numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses of all heirs/beneficiaries

    Specialist
23. 23

    Secure decedent’s wallet, purse, ID cards, driver’s license, and passport

    You
24. 24

    Secure decedent’s primary phone, tablet, laptop, and desktop computers

    You
25. 25

    Freeze or monitor decedent’s online accounts for suspicious activity

    You

1. 26

   Confirm the will is within the four-year filing window (Tex. Est. Code Sec. 256.003: a will may not be admitted after the fourth anniversary of death UNLESS the applicant shows they were "not in default" in failing to present it sooner). If past four years, do not assume probate is foreclosed - the default exception is fact-specific and is a reason to call an attorney, not to give up.

   Tex. Est. Code § 256.003

   Attorney
2. 27

   Research and retain an experienced Harris County probate attorney

   Attorney
3. 28

   Sign attorney engagement agreement and pay required probate retainer

   Attorney
4. 29

   Provide original Will and death certificate to probate attorney

   Attorney
5. 30

   Determine appropriate Harris County Probate Court jurisdiction (Probate Court No. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)

   Shared
6. 31

   Draft Application for Probate of Will and Issuance of Letters Testamentary

   Attorney
7. 32

   File the Application for Probate with the Harris County District Clerk / Probate Court

   Attorney
8. 33

   Pay required Harris County court filing fees

   Shared
9. 34

   Wait for Harris County Clerk to post mandatory Citation notice (at court house/public space for ~10 days)

   Attorney
10. 35

    Review the Application for Probate for any typos or errors in beneficiary details

    Attorney
11. 36

    Prepare Proof of Death and Other Facts document with attorney

    Attorney
12. 37

    Coordinate with attorney on whether self-proving affidavit attached to Will is valid under Texas law

    Attorney
13. 38

    Locate subscribing witnesses to the Will if the Will is not self-proved

    You
14. 39

    Schedule the probate hearing date with the assigned Harris County Probate Court coordinator

    Attorney
15. 40

    Prepare testimony for the probate court hearing

    Attorney
16. 41

    Attend the probate hearing at the Harris County Civil Courts Building (or via Zoom/Webex if permitted)

    Attorney
17. 42

    Take Oath of Executor before the Harris County Probate Judge or deputy clerk

    Attorney
18. 43

    Request issuance of Letters Testamentary from the Harris County Probate Clerk

    Attorney
19. 44

    Order multiple certified copies of Letters Testamentary (at least 5–10 copies)

    Attorney
20. 45

    Pay Harris County Clerk fee for certified Letters Testamentary

    Attorney
21. 46

    Obtain Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the Estate from the IRS (Form SS-4)

    Specialist

1. 47

   Publish Notice to Creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Harris County (e.g., Houston Chronicle or Daily Court Review) within one month after RECEIVING LETTERS (Tex. Est. Code Sec. 308.051 - note the trigger is receipt of letters, not qualification)

   Tex. Est. Code § 308.051

   Attorney
2. 48

   Obtain Affidavit of Publication from the newspaper publisher

   Attorney
3. 49

   File Affidavit of Publication in the Harris County Probate Court records

   Attorney
4. 50

   Send Notice to Secured Creditors within two months after receiving letters (Tex. Est. Code Sec. 308.053). The statute requires a qualified delivery method; Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested is best practice, not the statutory minimum

   Tex. Est. Code § 308.053

   Attorney
5. 51

   Send permissive Notice to Unsecured Creditors by qualified delivery method to start the claim bar (Tex. Est. Code Sec. 308.054). The creditor must present the claim BEFORE THE 121ST DAY after receiving the notice or the claim is BARRED (Sec. 403.055 independent / Sec. 355.060 generally). This is the one offensive tool on this list: it does not just keep the estate compliant, it can permanently extinguish stale unsecured debt. Consider it for every unsecured creditor the estate knows about.

   Tex. Est. Code § 308.054, § 355.060, § 403.055

   Attorney
6. 52

   Calendar the secured creditor election deadline: a secured creditor must elect matured secured claim vs preferred debt and lien within six months after letters are granted, or four months after receiving Sec. 308.053 notice, whichever is later (Tex. Est. Code Sec. 403.052). The election determines how the collateral - usually the house - is handled

   Tex. Est. Code § 308.053, § 403.052

   Attorney
7. 53

   Send mandatory notice to all named beneficiaries/devisees under Texas Estates Code § 308.002 within 60 days of probate order

   Tex. Est. Code § 308.002

   Shared
8. 54

   Attach copy of Will and Probate Order to each beneficiary notice

   Shared
9. 55

   Collect signed waivers or Certified Mail green cards from all beneficiaries

   You
10. 56

    Prepare the Affidavit of Notice to Beneficiaries under Texas Estates Code § 308.004 (the statute also permits a certificate signed by the representative's attorney in lieu of the executor's sworn affidavit)

    Tex. Est. Code § 308.004

    Attorney
11. 57

    File Affidavit of Notice to Beneficiaries in Harris County Probate Court within 90 days

    Attorney
12. 58

    Notify Social Security Administration (SSA) of decedent's death to stop benefit payments

    You
13. 59

    Notify Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if decedent was a military veteran

    Specialist
14. 60

    Repay any Social Security or VA payments received post-death

    Shared
15. 61

    Request military discharge papers (DD-214) for veteran burial or benefit claims

    Shared
16. 62

    Contact Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) regarding Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP)

    You
17. 63

    Obtain MERP claim release or authorization letter if decedent received Medicaid after age 55

    Shared
18. 64

    Monitor and collect incoming creditor claims sent to Executor or attorney

    Attorney
19. 65

    Review validity of each submitted creditor claim against Texas Estates Code rules

    Shared
20. 66

    Allow or reject creditor claims - THE RULE DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF ADMINISTRATION: DEPENDENT administration: the representative SHALL allow or reject each AUTHENTICATED claim not later than the 30th day after it is presented or deposited with the clerk (Tex. Est. Code Sec. 355.051). Failure to act is treated as a REJECTION, and if the claim is later established by suit, costs may be taxed against the representative INDIVIDUALLY, or the representative may be removed (Sec. 355.052). INDEPENDENT administration: the independent executor MAY approve or reject any claim (Tex. Est. Code Sec. 403.051(a)(3)). There is no 30-day deadline, and Sec. 403.058 ("OTHER CLAIM PROCEDURES GENERALLY DO NOT APPLY") expressly excludes the supervised-administration claims procedures. NOTE: the 30-day clock is triggered by an authenticated claim formally presented, not by every bill that arrives in the mail. Harris County's default is INDEPENDENT administration

    Tex. Est. Code § 355.051, § 355.052, § 403.051, § 403.058

    Attorney
21. 67

    Maintain a detailed ledger of accepted, rejected, and pending estate claims

    Shared

1. 68

   Open a dedicated Estate Checking Account at a major bank using the Estate EIN and Letters Testamentary

   Attorney
2. 69

   Request signature authority and debit card/checkbook for Estate Checking Account

   Shared
3. 70

   Notify all banks where decedent held individual checking or savings accounts

   You
4. 71

   Present certified Letters Testamentary and death certificate to freeze/close decedent’s personal bank accounts

   Attorney
5. 72

   Transfer funds from decedent’s individual accounts into the new Estate Checking Account

   Shared
6. 73

   Request full bank account transaction histories for 12 months prior to death to audit for missing funds

   You
7. 74

   Locate and close safe deposit boxes held at local banks

   You
8. 75

   Inventory safe deposit box contents in the presence of a witness or bank officer

   You
9. 76

   Identify accounts with Payable on Death (POD) or Transfer on Death (TOD) designations

   Shared
10. 77

    Assist POD/TOD beneficiaries in submitting direct claims to financial institutions

    Shared
11. 78

    Identify joint accounts with Right of Survivorship (JWROS)

    Shared
12. 79

    Transfer ownership of JWROS accounts to surviving joint owners

    Shared
13. 80

    Locate investment, brokerage, and mutual fund accounts (Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.)

    You
14. 81

    Provide brokerage firms with Letters Testamentary to transition accounts to estate control

    Attorney
15. 82

    Consolidate liquid investment assets into estate brokerage/checking accounts as prudent

    Shared
16. 83

    Identify and locate stock certificates and physical bonds

    Attorney
17. 84

    Contact transfer agents to reissue or sell physical stock certificates

    You
18. 85

    Track down unclaimed property through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (ClaimItTexas.org)

    Shared
19. 86

    Submit claims for any unclaimed funds held by the State of Texas

    Shared
20. 87

    Audit credit card accounts and send formal notices to cancel credit lines

    You

1. 88

   Call CenterPoint Energy to transfer electric service to Estate or shut off (if property sold)

   You
2. 89

   Call CenterPoint Energy to transfer or cancel natural gas service

   You
3. 90

   Contact City of Houston Water (or local MUD district) to adjust water/sewer service

   You
4. 91

   Contact Texas MUD (Municipal Utility District) operator if applicable for regional water billing

   You
5. 92

   Cancel Comcast / Xfinity / AT&T cable and landline phone service

   You
6. 93

   Cancel home internet services (AT&T, Xfinity, T-Mobile Home Internet)

   You
7. 94

   Return rented cable boxes, modems, and routers to service provider centers

   Shared
8. 95

   Cancel mobile phone accounts (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) after securing two-factor authentication access

   You
9. 96

   Cancel trash collection services (City of Houston Solid Waste or private contractors like Waste Management)

   You
10. 97

    Cancel Netflix subscriptions

    You
11. 98

    Cancel Hulu subscriptions

    You
12. 99

    Cancel Amazon Prime subscriptions

    You
13. 100

    Cancel Spotify / Apple Music subscriptions

    You
14. 101

    Cancel newspaper subscriptions (Houston Chronicle, Wall Street Journal, etc.)

    You
15. 102

    Cancel magazine subscriptions

    You
16. 103

    Cancel gym and health club memberships

    You
17. 104

    Cancel home security / alarm monitoring services (ADT, SimpliSafe) or transfer to Executor name

    You
18. 105

    Cancel lawn care and landscaping services (or retain to maintain curb appeal for estate sale)

    You
19. 106

    Cancel pool maintenance services (or retain if home has pool to prevent damage)

    You
20. 107

    Cancel pest control contracts

    You
21. 108

    Terminate storage unit leases and remove contents

    Shared
22. 109

    Cancel EZ TAG / TxTag toll road accounts and remove vehicles from system

    You
23. 110

    Terminate digital app subscriptions (Apple App Store, Google Play Store)

    You
24. 111

    Notify professional associations and labor unions to cancel active dues

    You
25. 112

    Cancel recurring charitable auto-donations

    You

1. 113

   Conduct comprehensive inventory of all real and personal property owned by decedent on date of death

   Shared
2. 114

   Determine date-of-death fair market values for all estate assets

   Shared
3. 115

   Obtain date-of-death financial statements for all bank, brokerage, and retirement accounts

   You
4. 116

   Hire a certified real estate appraiser to establish fair market value for primary real estate

   Specialist
5. 117

   Hire appraisers for secondary properties, commercial real estate, or vacant land

   Specialist
6. 118

   Hire certified appraisers for specialized assets (antiques, fine art, coin collections, jewelry)

   Specialist
7. 119

   Research Kelly Blue Book / NADA values for all motor vehicles

   You
8. 120

   Prepare the formal Inventory, Appraisement, and List of Claims under Texas Estates Code § 309.051

   Tex. Est. Code § 309.051

   Attorney
9. 121

   Sign sworn verification on Inventory before a Notary Public

   Shared
10. 122

    File Inventory, Appraisement, and List of Claims with Harris County Probate Court within 90 days of qualification

    Attorney
11. 123

    Alternatively, file Affidavit In Lieu of Inventory if permitted and conditions under § 309.056 are met

    Tex. Est. Code § 309.056

    Attorney
12. 124

    Provide a copy of the Inventory to all verified beneficiaries if Affidavit In Lieu is used

    Attorney
13. 125

    Review real property records at Harris County Clerk’s Office for recorded deeds, liens, and mortgages

    Shared
14. 126

    Verify title condition for all Harris County real property holdings

    Shared
15. 127

    Identify out-of-state real property requiring ancillary probate proceedings

    Shared
16. 128

    Hire out-of-state probate counsel for ancillary administration if real estate exists outside Texas

    Shared
17. 129

    Secure physical maintenance and repairs on real estate to prevent waste or devaluation

    Specialist
18. 130

    Keep detailed log of all Executor time, expenses, and travel miles incurred

    Shared
19. 131

    Collect rents or income generated from estate properties or investments

    You
20. 132

    Deposit all income generated post-death directly into the Estate Checking Account

    Shared

1. 133

   Contact mortgage company to obtain payoff statement and verify monthly payment amounts

   You
2. 134

   Continue making monthly mortgage payments from Estate account to prevent foreclosure

   Shared
3. 135

   Check status of Harris County property taxes with Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector

   Specialist
4. 136

   Pay delinquent or current Harris County real property taxes from Estate account

   Specialist
5. 137

   Submit change-of-address to Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) for property tax notices

   Specialist
6. 138

   Manage property removal or distribution of household goods, furniture, and clothing

   Shared
7. 139

   Coordinate estate sale company to liquidate remaining non-devised personal property

   You
8. 140

   Review and execute estate sale contract specifying commissions and setup dates

   You
9. 141

   Donate unneeded household items to charitable organizations and secure tax receipts

   Specialist
10. 142

    Clean and hire professional janitorial services for real property prior to sale or transfer

    Shared
11. 143

    Work with Texas real estate agent to list real estate on Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) MLS

    Specialist
12. 144

    Review purchase contracts for real estate with probate attorney

    Attorney
13. 145

    Sign real estate purchase agreement as Executor of the Estate

    Shared
14. 146

    Execute Executor’s Deed transferring real property to purchaser or beneficiary

    Shared
15. 147

    File Executor's Deed in the Harris County Real Property Records

    Shared
16. 148

    Transfer vehicle titles through Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) / Harris County Tax Office

    Specialist
17. 149

    Submit Form VTR-262 (Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor Vehicle) if applicable

    Specialist
18. 150

    Sell vehicles or execute title transfers to designated beneficiaries

    You
19. 151

    Cancel vehicle insurance policies once vehicles are legally transferred or sold

    You
20. 152

    Cancel homeowner's insurance policy once real estate is sold and title closes

    You

1. 153

   Gather decedent’s prior 3 years of Federal Individual Income Tax returns (Form 1040)

   Specialist
2. 154

   Hire Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or tax professional experienced in fiduciary tax returns

   Specialist
3. 155

   File final Federal Individual Income Tax Return (Form 1040) for year of death

   Specialist
4. 156

   Pay any federal income taxes owed from year of death out of Estate checking funds

   Specialist
5. 157

   Request tax refund checks payable to the Estate if decedent overpaid taxes

   Specialist
6. 158

   Determine if Estate meets filing threshold for Fiduciary Income Tax Return (Form 1041)

   Specialist
7. 159

   File IRS Form 1041 for income earned by the Estate during administration

   Specialist
8. 160

   Issue K-1 schedule forms to beneficiaries for taxable distributions if applicable

   Specialist
9. 161

   Determine if Estate exceeds federal estate tax exemption threshold requiring Form 706

   Specialist
10. 162

    Prepare and file IRS Form 706 (Estate Tax Return) within 9 months of death if required

    Specialist
11. 163

    Pay any federal estate taxes due out of estate liquid assets

    Specialist
12. 164

    File IRS Form 56 (Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship) to notify IRS of Executor status

    Specialist
13. 165

    File IRS Form 4810 to request prompt assessment of tax liabilities

    Specialist
14. 166

    File IRS Form 5495 to request discharge from personal liability for decedent's taxes

    Specialist
15. 167

    Pay verified, valid secured debts according to statutory priority under Texas Estates Code § 355.102

    Tex. Est. Code § 355.102

    You
16. 168

    Pay funeral and last illness expenses (Class 1 priority debts)

    Shared
17. 169

    Pay estate administration expenses and court costs (Class 2 priority debts)

    Shared
18. 170

    Pay secured claims and mortgages (Class 3 priority debts)

    You
19. 171

    Pay outstanding child support arrearages if applicable (Class 4 priority debts)

    Shared
20. 172

    Pay state tax claims and remaining unsecured claims (Class 5–8 priority debts)

    Specialist

1. 173

   Prepare informal or formal accounting of all estate receipts, disbursements, and remaining assets

   Shared
2. 174

   Reconcile Estate Checking Account to $0 balance minus reserves for final expenses

   Shared
3. 175

   Calculate statutory or Will-authorized Executor compensation (Tex. Est. Code § 352.002: five percent on cash actually received plus five percent on cash actually paid out, capped in the aggregate at five percent of the gross fair market value of the estate subject to administration). EXCLUDED from the commission base: cash on hand at death, life insurance proceeds, and distributions to heirs/legatees in that capacity. The will can override or waive it, and the court can reduce or deny it. Compensation is TAXABLE ordinary income to the executor, so an executor who is also a beneficiary often does better waiving it. Reimbursable expenses and attorney's fees are separate (§ 352.051)

   Tex. Est. Code § 352.002, § 352.051

   Attorney
4. 176

   Know the beneficiaries' accounting rights: any interested person may DEMAND AN ACCOUNTING from an independent executor after 15 months from the first issuance of letters (Tex. Est. Code § 404.001), and after two years may petition the court for an accounting AND DISTRIBUTION (§ 405.001)

   Tex. Est. Code § 404.001, § 405.001

   Attorney
5. 177

   Determine whether Executor will accept or formally waive Executor fee

   Shared
6. 178

   Pay approved Executor compensation from Estate checking account

   Shared
7. 179

   Reopen communication with beneficiaries regarding final distribution strategy

   Shared
8. 180

   Review Will provisions for specific monetary bequests (pecuniary devises)

   Shared
9. 181

   Issue checks for specific monetary bequests from Estate account

   Shared
10. 182

    Obtain signed Receipts and Releases from monetary bequest beneficiaries

    Shared
11. 183

    Calculate proportional residual shares for remaining estate assets

    Shared
12. 184

    Transfer specific personal property items to assigned residual beneficiaries

    Shared
13. 185

    Obtain signed Receipts and Releases from all residual beneficiaries

    Shared
14. 186

    Draft Receipt, Release, and Indemnity Agreements with attorney for all beneficiaries

    Attorney
15. 187

    Distribute final residual funds from Estate Checking Account to beneficiaries

    Shared
16. 188

    Reserve a contingency fund in Estate account for final tax prep fees and bank maintenance fees

    Specialist
17. 189

    Pay CPA or accountant for final tax return filings

    Specialist
18. 190

    Reconcile final bank statement showing zero balance after final checks clear

    You
19. 191

    Formally close the Estate Checking Account with the financial institution

    You
20. 192

    File the closing report or Notice of Closing Estate with the Harris County Probate Court (Tex. Est. Code Sec. 405.004 closing by closing report or notice; Sec. 405.006 contents of the notice of closing estate)

    Tex. Est. Code § 405.004, § 405.006

    Attorney
21. 193

    Prepare Application for Discharge if Dependent Administration was ordered

    Attorney
22. 194

    Attend final hearing for discharge (if Dependent Administration)

    Attorney
23. 195

    Obtain Order Discharging Executor and Closing Estate from Harris County Probate Judge

    Shared
24. 196

    Shred sensitive decedent records containing SSN/IDs that are no longer required to be kept

    Shared
25. 197

    Store physical and digital copies of all probate filings, deeds, receipts, and tax filings for 7 years

    Specialist
26. 198

    Terminate Executor’s fiduciary liability bond (if bond was required)

    Attorney
27. 199

    Notify attorney of record that administration is fully complete

    Attorney
28. 200

    Send formal closing letter to all estate beneficiaries confirming resolution of estate

    Shared

Harris County numbers you will need

A national estate service will tell you to call the utility company. This is the list of who to actually call in Harris County.

Directory last verified 2026-10-21.