The Detective Work of Settling an Estate Without a Will

Nobody tells you that settling an estate without a will means becoming a detective.

After a family member died without a plan, I had no list of accounts, no financial records, no roadmap. Just a pile of mail and the knowledge that somewhere in their financial life were accounts, policies, and assets I needed to find.

Here is what I did — and what I found.

Step 1: Secure the Mail

The first thing I did was forward their mail to my address. Physical mail is one of the most reliable ways to discover what accounts someone has.

Within the first few weeks, I received:

Bank statements (accounts I didn’t know existed)Credit card statementsInvestment account statementsInsurance premium noticesHOA billingUtility bills

Every piece of mail was a lead.

Step 2: Trace the Money

Once I had access to the bank accounts (after court appointment as estate administrator), I could see transactions flowing in and out. This revealed even more:

Recurring payments to services and subscriptionsDirect deposits from any employers or investment accountsAutomatic transfers between accountsInsurance premiums being paid

The bank statements become a map of someone’s entire financial life.

Step 3: Check Digital Accounts

Email is a goldmine for estate administration. With access to their email (which I eventually obtained), I found:

Account confirmation emailsStatement notification emailsSubscription receiptsInsurance documentsInvestment confirmations

Search for: “account,” “statement,” “policy,” “balance,” “confirmation,” “investment,” and the names of every financial institution you’ve already identified.

Step 4: Contact the Major Institutions

Once you have a list of likely institutions, contact each one to verify account existence and begin the claims process. You will need:

Letters testamentary or letters of administration (from the court)Death certificates (multiple copies)Your government-issued ID

Be prepared for this process to take months. Every institution has its own procedures, and none of them move quickly.

Step 5: Search for Unclaimed Property

Many states have unclaimed property registries — accounts that have been dormant and turned over to the state. Search your state’s unclaimed property database (most states have a free online search) using your loved one’s name and last known address.

You may find accounts you never knew existed.

What Would Have Made This Unnecessary

A single, well-organized document — a Letter of Instruction — would have replaced weeks of detective work.

A Letter of Instruction is not a legal document. It doesn’t go through probate. It is simply a clear, written guide for whoever handles your affairs, containing:

List of all financial accounts and institutionsLife insurance policies and claim informationLocation of all important documentsDigital accounts and access informationRecurring bills and how they are paidNames and contact information for advisors, attorneys, accountants

It costs nothing to create. It saves enormous time and anguish.

The Family Linchpin Checklist

The checklist includes a section on financial organization and digital assets — the exact information that would have changed my experience with this estate.

Download The Family Linchpin Checklist Here

The information in this post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified estate planning attorney, CPA, or financial advisor. Some links in this post may be affiliate links — see our full Affiliate Disclosure.