Everything you need to know about Delaware Form Inventory (Sussex County) (Sussex), including helpful tips, fast facts & deadlines, how to fill it out, where to submit it and other related DE probate forms.
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 (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:
Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Inventory (Sussex County) (Sussex):
This form pertains to the State of Delaware
The current version of this form was last revised on June 21, 2022
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 (Sussex County) (Sussex) up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.
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.
Fill out all relevant fields in Form Inventory (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 (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).
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.
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.
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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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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 (Sussex County) (Sussex), and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.
Inventory (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 (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 (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.
Form Inventory (Sussex County) (Sussex) is a probate form in Delaware.
Delaware has multiple types of probate and the necessary forms depend on the unique aspects of each estate, such as type and value of assets, whether there was a valid will, who is serving as the personal representative or executor, and even whether or not they also live in Delaware.
During probate, all personal representatives and executives in are required to submit a detailed inventory of assets that must separate non-probate assets from probate assets.
Probate in Delaware, especially without guidance, can take years to finish and cost upwards of $14,000.
What is probate, exactly?
Probate is the government’s way of making sure that when a person dies, the right stuff goes to the right people (including the taxes the government wants).
All of that stuff is collectively known as someone’s “estate”, and it’s the job of the executor or personal representative to fill out all the forms and complete all the required steps to formally dissolve the estate.
To get instant clarity on the entire probate process and get an idea of the steps, timeline, and best practices, read the Atticus Beginner’s Guide to Probate.
Where can I get help with Probate?
The best place? Create an account in Atticus to start getting estate-specific advice.
You may need a lawyer, you may not, and paying for one when you didn’t need it really hurts. Atticus makes sure you make the best decisions (plus you can write it off as an executor expense).
We’ve also created a list of other probate services. Be sure to check it out!
What does a DE executor or personal representative have to do?
An executor is named in someone’s will, and if the deceased didn’t have a will, then the spouse or other close family relative usually steps up to fulfill the role. If no one wants to do it, then a judge will appoint someone.
The executor is responsible for the complete management of the probate process, including major responsibilities such as:
Creating an inventory of all probate assets.
Filling out all necessary forms
Paying off all estate debts and taxes
Submitting reports to the court and beneficiaries as requested
And much more. This process often stretches longer than a year.
For an idea of what separates executors who succeed from those who make this way harder than it should be, visit our article, Executors of an Estate:
What they do & secrets to succeeding.
Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Delaware Form Inventory (Sussex County) (Sussex). You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.
Case # ________ Phone: (302) 855-7875 Fax: (302) 853-5871 sussexcountyde.gov INVENTORY Sussex County Registe r of Wills Date Filed: ___________________ Number and Street, City, State, Zip Date Letters Granted: County: New Castle Kent Sussex Part 1 5 East Pi ne St reet P.O. Box 743 Georgetown, DE 19947 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS Everyone required to file this Inventory form shall do so within three (3) months after the estate is opened, or within three (3) months of the date of death when an estate is not opened. Extensions may be granted for good cause at the discretion of the Register.Any Personal Representative may be subject, personally and individually, to a fine under 12 Del. C.§1906 if the Inventory is not filed on time. The Inventory shall be filed in the Office of the Register of Wills of the county in which the estate has been opened or, when no estate is opened, in the county where the Decedent lived at the date of death. The Inventory shall list allpersonal property the Decedent owned at the date of death. It must also list allreal estate the Decedent owned at the date of death and must provide the parcel/lot number of each piece of real estate, the names/address(es) of the new owner(s) of the real estate, and his/her/their relationship to the Decedent (for example, son). The Inventory must also be filed in every county of the state in which the Decedent owned real estate at the date of death. The person who is responsible for preparing and filing the Inventory must swear or affirm that the information in it is true and correct before the Inventory will be treated as legally filed. If more space is needed on any of the following schedules, additional sheets of paper of the same size may be inserted following the appropriate schedule, provided the added sheet refers to the s chedule it supplements. The value to be used for any property listed on this Inventory is the fair market value as of the date of death of the Decedent. If the Decedent owned no property of the kind described in any of the following schedules, the word None should be written on the page. Pages left blank will result in the Inventory being rejected. Only blue or black in pens may be used. Please refer to the Inventory instructions, as well as the inventory sample, to assist you in completing this form. They can both be found on our website: sussexcountyde.gov/register-will-forms Revised 06/21/2022 Date Stamped Upon Receiving Decedent’s Name: Residence at Time of Death: Date of Death: Testate:Intestate: Name of Personal Representative: Address of Personal Representative: Phone Number: Name of Personal Representative: Address of Personal Representative: Phone Number: Name and Address of Attorney, if any: Have you previously filed an Inventory for this Estate? Yes No Email Address: Email Address: ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION VALUE AT DATE OF DEATH Please specify the name, address and phone number to whom the tax bill should be mailed: ESTATE OF: SCHEDULE A SOLELY OWNED REAL ESTATE Include tax parcel number, deed record number and an adequate description and/or address to identify all real estate located in Delaware only and complete the names and addresses and relationship of persons entitled to each parcel and share of each person. Be sure to list who will receive the tax bill for each parcel, otherwise the inventory will be rejected and returned for corrections. Enter the fair market value at the date of death, do not subtract mortgages or loans from the value. Jointly owned property must be disclosed on Schedule B. TOTAL of Schedule A - Also list on corresponding line of Recapitulation. Revised 06/2022 SCHEDULE B Jointly Owned Property Updated 06/2022 JOINTLY OWNED ASSETS Did the decedent, at the time of death, own any assets with (a) another person with right of survivorship; or (b) with his/her wife/husband? Yes No. If “Yes”, state the name, relationship, and address of each surviving co-tenant. Do not list bank account numbers or attach statements. NAME RELATIONSHIP ADDRESS (Number and Street, City, State and Zip Code A. B. C. ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION Identify co-tenant by using appropriate letter, above. If the item listed is Real Property, please list provided Tax Map and Parcel number with address. FAIR MARKET VALUE AT DATE OF DEATH TOTAL of Schedule B – Also list on corresponding line of Recapitulation. ESTATE OF: SCHEDULE C BANK ACCOUNTS AND CASH Updated 06/2022 Include solely held money in banks and/or moneys owed to Decedent at time of death. Do not list bank account numbers or attach statements. Jointly owned property should be disclosed on Schedule B. ITEM NO.DESCRIPTION FAIR MARKET VALUE AT DATE OF DEATH TOTAL of Schedule C – Also list on corresponding line of Recapitulation. ESTATE OF: SCHEDULE D STOCKS AND BONDS Updated 06/2022 List stocks, bonds and securities in a decedent’s name, solely without a pre-designated beneficiary. Jointly owned property must be disclosed on Schedule B. ITEM NO.DESCRIPTION FAIR MARKET VALUE AT DATE OF DEATH Total of Schedule D – Also list on corresponding line of Recapitulation. ESTATE OF: SCHEDULE E Updated 06/2022 VEHICLES & MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTY List all other personal property not listed on another schedule, including, if owned by or made payable to the decedent or the decedent’s estate. Be sure to list anything with a title, such as a car, manufactured home or boat. Be sure to also list any personal items of genuine value such as jewelry, collectible, or digital assets. Generally, life insurance proceeds, employee death benefits, or IRA’s are directly payable to a third party and would not be listed. If the Estate is the beneficiary of any such policies, all beneficiaries have deceased, no alternative beneficiaries, they would need to be listed. Jointly owned property must be disclosed on Schedule B. ITEM NO.DESCRIPTION FAIR MARKET VALUE AT DATE OF DEATH TOTAL Of Schedule E – Also list on corresponding line of Recapitulation. ESTATE OF: Non Probate Assets: OATH OR AFFIRMATION OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ________________________________________________________ make(s) solemn oath (or affirmation) that I/We made due inquiry concerning the goods, chattels, money and credits due and belonging to ____________________________________________________, “the deceased person,” and that this Inventory contains all the goods, chattels, money and credits due or belonging to the deceased person that has come to the knowledge of the deponent (or affiant) and that the information contained in the Schedule of Real Estate and the information pertaining to Entireties and Jointly Owned Real and Personal Property is true to the best of his/her/their knowledge and belief. RECAPITULATION The total at the bottom from each schedule should be listed with the corresponding line below. Schedule A - Solely Owned Real Estate Schedule B - Jointly Owned Assets Schedule C - Bank Accounts and Cash Schedule D - Stocks and Bonds Schedule E - Vehicles & Miscellaneous Property Total of Schedule C, Schedule D & Schedule E: Signed and sworn (or affirmed), before me, onthis ________ day of _________________________ __________ 20 ______. __________________________________________________ Notary Public or Other Qualified Person (State your title) Revised 06/2022 _______________________________________________ Personal Representative - Sign in the presence of a Notary. _______________________________________________ Personal Representative - Sign in the presence of a notary. Total of Schedule A & Schedule B: Probate Assets:
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