Make an initial inventory by listing each asset separately, recording the ownership information shown on its documents, and keeping debts on a separate sheet. Label estimated values and missing information clearly. This worksheet does not decide whether an estate qualifies for a simplified procedure or who may transfer property.
List documents before drawing conclusions about ownership
Possible starting records include account statements, vehicle titles, deeds, insurance documents, and other ownership records you are authorized to access. Identify the document and its date, and record what it says. If ownership or beneficiary information is unclear, mark it as a question rather than assigning the asset to someone.
California Courts’ inventory guidance distinguishes listing property, identifying its type and ownership, and estimating value. It is a California example. The law governing a transfer and the records required can depend on the jurisdiction and circumstances; a list of possessions alone cannot establish the correct procedure.
Use separate asset and debt worksheets
For assets, use: item description; document reference; owner names as shown; ownership details to verify; value; valuation date; source of value; estimate or documented figure; next question. Use a private account reference instead of a full account number. Group routine personal items only for your preliminary organization; check any official inventory instructions separately.
For debts, use: creditor as shown; statement date; amount shown; document reference; status unknown or verified; question for qualified help. Do not automatically subtract this sheet from asset values to decide whether a legal threshold is met. Rules about what counts and how it is valued are not supplied by this worksheet.
Worked example: a value with an unanswered ownership question
Hypothetical example only: a statement shows a $4,200 balance as of August 31, but you have not verified the account’s ownership details or the valuation date required for a procedure. Record “$4,200, statement dated August 31” and flag both open questions. Do not label that number the estate’s legally relevant value.
A vehicle may have an estimated resale value but incomplete title information. Keep the estimate’s source and date visible and leave transfer eligibility undecided. Clear uncertainty is more useful than a precise-looking total built from incompatible dates and assumptions.
Protect documents and confirm the next step
Keep a separate question list covering ownership, beneficiary designations, required valuation dates, missing records, and the applicable procedure. Do not distribute property, pay a disputed claim, or access an account merely because it appears on your inventory. Obtain the appropriate instructions or legal guidance about authority and responsibilities.
Store the inventory securely and limit access to people who need it. Preserve original records and note where they are kept. This first-pass worksheet can help organize a conversation with a court self-help service or qualified adviser, but it is not an official inventory form, affidavit, valuation, or transfer document.
Official source and scope
Source checked October 6, 2026. The linked California court resource supports the specifically labeled California example above. Check your own court’s current instructions for your situation.
California Courts Self-Help Guide: official source
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Educational information only, not legal advice or a substitute for an attorney. No legal outcome is promised. All examples are fictional; no personal court or financial records are collected by this article.