Before you do anything else
- ☐ Locate the original will (if one exists)
- ☐ Obtain multiple copies of the death certificate
- ☐ Identify whether an enduring Power of Attorney or Committee order already exists, if the situation involves incapacity rather than death — see Power of Attorney or Committee of the Estate
- ☐ Contact (or engage) an estate lawyer or notary — most of what follows depends on their guidance for your specific situation
Gathering the property's paperwork
- ☐ Property title documents
- ☐ Existing mortgage statements, if any
- ☐ Recent property tax notices
- ☐ Home insurance policy — confirm whether it needs to change for a vacant property
- ☐ Strata documents, if the property is a condo or townhome
- ☐ Utility account information
The legal process
- ☐ File the application for Grant of Probate or Administration (your lawyer handles this, but confirm you understand the rough timeline — see our full timeline guide)
- ☐ Confirm who has signing authority once the Grant is issued — see who signs what
- ☐ Ask your lawyer specifically whether the home can be conditionally listed before the Grant is finalized
Preparing the property
- ☐ Sort irreplaceable items (documents, photos, heirlooms) before any bulk clear-out — see clearing out an estate home
- ☐ Get a professional walkthrough to separate must-fix repairs from cosmetic ones — see preparing an estate home for sale
- ☐ Get a realistic market valuation, separate from any probate valuation already done — see valuing an estate home
Keeping beneficiaries informed
- ☐ Communicate the plan and timeline to all beneficiaries before listing, not after
- ☐ Document agreements about belongings and the sale process in writing
Before closing
- ☐ Confirm all estate expenses (repairs, clean-out, commission) are being tracked for the final accounting — see executor compensation & estate expenses
- ☐ Confirm with your lawyer how sale proceeds fit into the estate's distribution timeline
This checklist provides general guidance only and is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your situation. Please consult a lawyer or notary.