Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex)

There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.

Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex) is a commonly used form within Delaware. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:

Atticus Fast Facts About Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex)

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex):

• This form pertains to the State of Delaware

Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about Delaware’s Form Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex) up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

Step 1 - Download the correct Delaware form based on the name and ID if applicable

Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some Delaware probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.

Step 2 - Complete the Document

Fill out all relevant fields in Form Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex), take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in DE are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!

Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex) online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).

Step 3 - Have Form witnessed or notarized (if required)

Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.

Step 4 - Submit Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex) to the relevant office

This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.

It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.

Need help getting in touch with a local probate court or identifying a domicile probate jurisdiction?

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Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.

While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.

Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in Delaware.

5 reasons you should submit this form as quickly as possible:

1. The sooner you begin, the faster Delaware can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
   
   Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?

2. In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.

3. Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.

4. It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in Delaware. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.

5. If a house in the State of Delaware is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.

If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for Delaware probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local Delaware probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex), and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex) is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some Delaware probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within Delaware.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex) f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the Delaware probate court office.

Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex) is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any Delaware-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Delaware Form Inventory Instructions (Sussex County) (Sussex). You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

5 East Pine Street Phone: (302) 855-7875 P.O. Box 743 Fax: (302) 853-5871 Georgetown, DE 19947 willsinfo@sussexcountyde.gov Part 1 Register of Wills INVENTORY INSTRUCTIONS No appointment is necessary for filing the Inventory, you may mail in this document or hand deliver it. This packet is due three (3) months from the date the Estate was opened. Pages cannot be left blank, if there are no assets to list, write in “None” or “N/A” and zero out the bottom. This cannot be presented as a double-sided document, please make sure to print and prepare as a one-sided packet. Should an extension for time to complete the Inventory be necessary, the form can be found on the County’s website. Please make a copy of this prior to sending into the office, as you’ll need some of this information for the Accounting portion of the probate packet. If there is Real Property involved in the Estate, you would need to keep a copy for your records to show ownership of the property if you’re an entitled beneficiary to the Estate. FRONT PAGE 1. DECEDENT’S FULL NAME: Person who passed away and name of the Estate. 2. RESIDENCE AT TIME OF DEATH: Address of Decedent – per Death Certificate. 3. DECEDENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: Located on Death Certificate. 4. DATE OF DEATH: Month, Day, and Year. 5. TESTATE: Died with a Will. INTESTATE: Died without a will. Please specify which one applies. 6. DATE LETTERS GRANTED: Day, month, and year estate was probated. (Opening Appointment) 7. COUNTY: Sussex 8. NAME OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Full name of person probating the estate. 9. ADDRESS OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Complete address of person probating the estate. The next lines for Name of Personal Representative and Address of Personal Representative are used only if there is more than one Personal Representative. If not, leave it blank. 10. NAME AND ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY, IF ANY: Name and address of the Attorney filing on your behalf. If you’ve opened the Estate yourself, write in “Pro Se”. This does not apply to Attorney’s representing you in Real Estate matters or Litigation. SCHEDULE A – SOLELY HELD REAL ESTATE Complete this section only if real estate was solely held in the Decedent’s name. If there was none, enter “none” in the Description column, enter Decedent’s full name at the bottom of the page and proceed to the next page. This will be used to update the County’s Assessment records to show who’s entitled to receive the property, so please write clearly and cleanly. If additional schedule A’s are needed to list multiple pieces of property or a multitude of entitled beneficiaries, please let the office know, we will provide them to you with additional instructions. 1. ITEM NO: List property by Item number, starting with Tax Map and Parcel Number as provided to you by the Deputy at your opening appointment. 2. DESCRIPTION: a. Provide identifying information to the property such as an address. b. Enter person(s) full name/relationship to deceased, complete address(es) of those who are entitled to receive the property and their share. If there is a Will, you’ll be listing entitled beneficiaries at the direction of a Will. If there is no Will, you’ll reference Delaware’s laws on Intestate Succession on how property passes to next of kin. c. Enter the fair market value of the real estate. (Obtain an appraisal or realtor comparable.) 3. VALUE AT DATE OF DEATH: A value as close as possible to the date of passing that represents a fair market value for the property. 4. TOTAL: Sum of all items listed. 5. BOX: Enter name, complete address and phone number for the person to receive the County’s Tax bill. 6. ESTATE: Decedent’s full name to be written at bottom of page. Example of property passing with a Will. Decedent had two children entitled to the property. Example of property passing with no Will and property subject to Intestate Succession. Decedent had a spouse entitled to a life estate, with a child entitled to the future interest of the property. Example of property passing to next of kin without a Will. Property would pass to next of kin in equal shares. Example of property that was directed to be sold in the Will. Also applies if the property was for sale prior to passing. You would not list individuals to be entitled to property, just that the property is directed to be sold. SCHEDULE B – JOINTLY OWNED ASSETS 1. If there are jointly held items, check Yes. If no, check “No” and write in “None” and zero out the bottom”. To list the jointly held items, proceed with completing the following: 2. A, B, & C: List name, relationship, and address of individuals who have joint ownership with the Decedent. 3. ITEM NO: List number of items individually. 4. DESCRIPTION: Examples: bank accounts (do not list account numbers), auto, mobile home, boat, trailer, land and home. If there is real property to be listed, please list by Tax Map and Parcel Number and an address. With each item, write “Joint With A, B or C” according to with whom the item is jointly held with. 5. FAIR MARKET VALUE: Value of items at time of death. 6. TOTAL: Sum of both subtotals. Total will be transferred to the Recapitulation page on the corresponding line. 7. ESTATE: Decedent’s full name to be written at bottom of page. Example of Decedent passing with multiple Jointly Held Items, including Real Property. SCHEDULE C - BANK ACCOUNTS AND CASH Bank Accounts & Cash – Includes cash on hand, monies in the following accounts at date of death (include name of bank, type of account; but do not include account numbers): a) Checking b) Savings c) Money Market d) Certificates 1. ITEM NO: List number of items individually. 2. DESCRIPTION: Banks, credit unions, etc. Do not list account numbers. This document is public record and you would not want account numbers to be listed publicly. 3. FAIR MARKET VALUE: Balance at time of death. 4. TOTAL: Sum of both subtotals. Total will be transferred to the Recapitulation page on the corresponding line. 5. ESTATE: Decedent’s full name to be written at bottom of page. SCHEDULE D – STOCKS AND BONDS Complete only if stocks and bonds are solely held in the Decedent’s name. You do not need to list anything if there is a Beneficiary attached to the item (an individual’s name is attached to the item). If there were none, enter “none” in the Description area and proceed to next page. 1 ITEM NO: List number of items individually. 2. DESCRIPTION: Enter all stocks and bonds. 3. FAIR MARKET VALUE: Balance at time of death. 4. TOTAL: Sum of both subtotals. Total will be transferred to the Recapitulation page on the corresponding line. 5. ESTATE: Decedent’s full name to be written at bottom of page. SCHEDULE E – MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTY Include any item(s) not listed on previous pages that are solely owned or payable to the Estate. Example: automobile(s), mobile home(s), refunds or rebates, life insurance (list only if in Decedent’s name), auto insurance refunds, household goods and contents. You may group items, unless they are of great value, such as antiques, etc., in which case they should be listed individually. You do not need to list any assets that have a beneficiary attached to the item or are payable or transferrable upon death. 1. ITEM NO: List number of items individually when they are of great value. 2. DESCRIPTION: Automobile(s) and mobile home(s) include make/model/year, refunds include name of company, household goods may be listed as one-line item. Antiques, coin collections, anything of great value must be listed individually. 3. FAIR MARKET VALUE: Value of items at time of death. 4. TOTAL: Sum of both subtotals. Total to be transferred to the Recapitulation page on the corresponding line. 5. ESTATE: Decedent’s full name to be written at bottom of page. RECAPITULATION 1. Transfer the totals from the bottom of each page to the corresponding line. Lines may not be left blank, they must either contain the value from that schedule, or a zero if there are no assets listed in that schedule. 2. Total of Non-Probate Assets - Sum of A & B. 3. Total of Probate Assets – Sum of C, D and E. 4. Retain a copy of this Inventory for your records, as you will need these figures for the Accounting. OATH OR AFFIRMATION OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE On the first line, print the Personal Representative’s name. On the second line, print the Decedent’s name. In the presence of a Notary, you’ll sign the line above “Personal Representative”. If there are multiple Personal Representatives, both will be required to be present to sign before the Notary, or two recapitulations will be required to be completed. This document can not be recorded without this page being signed before a Notary. Resources Delaware’s Code on Intestate Succession: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title12/c005/index.html Sussex County’s Forms – Additional Inventory Forms or Extension Requests https://sussexcountyde.gov/register-will-forms