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Oct 05, 2026
Many adult children begin a succession with no complete list of their parent’s property. You do not need a complete inventory to begin. You can start with what you can see and build a more reliable picture before deciding which legal process the estate needs.
Make a working list, not a final inventory
Start with the house, vehicles, business interests, and any other property you already know about. Review recent mail, tax returns, bank and investment statements, insurance notices, mortgage records, and the person’s phone or computer if you have lawful access. Record the institution, account type, approximate value, and whose name appears on it. Do not move money or change account information merely because you found a statement.
Check whether accounts name a payable-on-death beneficiary or whether assets belong to a trust. An account with a designated beneficiary may follow a different path from an account held only in your parent’s name. Likewise, a jointly held asset may require closer review before anyone decides it belongs wholly to the survivor or the estate. Our article on bank accounts frozen after death explains why access and ownership are separate questions.
Find the records that point to less visible assets
Look for a safe-deposit box, employer benefits, retirement accounts, life insurance, mineral interests, rental property, and income reported on recent tax returns. Ask family members what they know, but keep a written record of the source of each lead. If property may be in another state, note its location. Louisiana property and out-of-state property may require different transfer steps.
For federal and state benefits, USAGov identifies agencies and programs to notify after a death. That checklist does not replace an estate inventory, but it can help families spot benefits and accounts they might otherwise overlook.
Know when you need legal authority to ask for more
A bank, employer, or other institution may refuse to release private information to a relative who has not shown legal authority. If the estate needs a court-appointed representative, the court documents can establish who may collect information and manage estate property. In a qualifying small succession, an affidavit may provide a different route for identified assets.
Follow income and title clues
Royalty deposits can point to mineral interests. Business schedules attached to tax returns can point to company interests. Parish conveyance records can help locate deeds and earlier transfers. For each lead, separate three questions: have you identified an asset, did your parent own an interest in it, and who has authority to obtain private information or transfer it? Finding a record answers only the first question.
Field Law can review your working list, identify gaps, and determine whether a representative, affidavit, or other documentation is needed. Bring what you have, even if the list is incomplete. Request a free consultation to develop a practical plan for locating and transferring the assets.
Page updated 10/05/26. Attorney information: Morgan Field, Managing Attorney. This page provides general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
