It is very important that you consult with an estate administration attorney. Different attorneys will request different documentation, but generally, the following are the documents that the attorney will need:

1. Certified Copies of the Certificate of Death;
2. Original Will, Trust and Estate Organizer;
3. Deed to each parcel of real property;
4. Property tax bill to each parcel of real property (any year);
5. Bank book or most recent statement for each bank account;
6. Stock certificates and bonds or most recent statement of each brokerage account;
7. Life insurance policy;
8. Automobile, boat, motor home, mobile home and/or airplane registrations;
9. Promissory Notes and Deeds of Trust;
10. Any document that proves ownership and beneficiary of an IRA, pension or annuity;
11. Lease(s);
12. Income Tax Returns for the past three (3) years;
13. Gift tax returns;
14. A list of heirs and beneficiaries, including the name, age, relationship, address, telephone number and social security number;
15. Name, address and telephone number for each bank, stockbroker, accountant, life insurance company, and creditor, if not already provided above.

If you cannot locate any of the above documents, they probably do not exist. If however, you believe they exist, mention this to the attorney, because there may be alternative ways of obtaining the necessary information.