How Can an Administrator or Executor Find Out What Assets Are in an Estate

Serving as an executor or administrator of an estate comes with significant responsibility, and one of your first major duties is identifying and locating all of the decedent’s assets. Whether the estate is large or small, you cannot properly administer it until you know exactly what property, accounts, and financial interests the deceased person owned. Here is a clear guide to how an executor can determine what assets belong to the estate.

Start With the Decedent’s Personal Records

The best place to begin is the decedent’s personal documents. Look for:

• Bank statements

• Checkbooks

• Investment or brokerage statements

• Retirement account paperwork

• Property deeds

• Tax returns (especially the most recent 2–3 years)

• Insurance policies

• Loan documents

• Safe deposit box keys

Personal paperwork often reveals financial institutions, account numbers, property ownership, and recurring bills. Even small clues—like mail from a financial institution—can lead to important discoveries.

Search the Decedent’s Residence

Search the decedent’s home for estate‑related documents. Common places to check include:

• Desks and filing cabinets

• Safes or lockboxes

• Closets or storage areas

You may uncover titles, stock certificates, old statements, or evidence of online accounts.

Review Email and Online Accounts (If You Have Access)

Many people receive statements electronically. If you have authority to access the decedent’s digital assets, you can do so.  This may allow you to find:

• Digital bank statements

• Online investment accounts

• Notifications of automatic payments

• Real estate tax bills

• E‑mails from financial advisors

Contact Financial Institutions 

As an appointed fiduciary, you have the authority to receive information from the following institutions:

• Banks

• Brokerage firms

• Insurance companies

• Mortgage lenders

• Pension administrators

Financial institutions can provide account balances and other details once they receive your certificate of appointment and the decedent’s death certificate.  

Check With the County Clerk

Real estate ownership can be confirmed by searching public records. You can check:

• The Office of the County clerk / land records for deeds

• Websites that provide copies of deeds, if the real property was located in certain counties

Use Tax Returns to Identify Hidden Assets

Tax returns are one of the most valuable tools for locating assets. They may reveal:

• Dividend‑paying investments

• Interest from bank accounts

• Retirement distributions

• Rental income from real estate

• Partnership interests

• Cryptocurrency or digital asset activity

Contact the Decedent’s Attorney, Accountant, or Financial Advisor

Professional advisors often have information about:

• Investment portfolios

• Business interests

• Insurance policies

• Estate planning documents

• Trusts

Because you are the court‑appointed fiduciary of the estate, these professionals should discuss the decedent’s finances with you once you provide proof of your authority.

Check for Unclaimed Funds

New York’s Office of Unclaimed Funds maintains a searchable database for forgotten accounts. You may find:

• Closed bank accounts

• Old utility deposits

• Refund checks

• Insurance proceeds

This is often a surprising but valuable resource for fiduciaries.

The Bottom Line

As the executor or administrator of an estate, your job is to identify, collect, and protect all estate assets. By reviewing personal records, contacting financial institutions, searching public documents, and using your legal authority, you can build a complete and accurate inventory for the Surrogate’s Court and for the beneficiaries of the estate.