Executor of Estate Forms and Templates
Figures verified November 9, 2026 against IRS Publication 559, Survivors, Executors, and Administrators · Update log
Short answer
An executor works with three kinds of forms: the probate court's forms to open and close the estate, IRS forms for the final and estate tax returns, and in some states an inheritance or estate tax return.
Below are free templates for the paperwork courts don't supply, plus links to the official forms for every state.
Free executor templates
Estate inventory spreadsheet
Excel spreadsheet
A spreadsheet to list everything the person owned and owed on the date of death, sorted into what goes through probate and what passes outside it.
Executor accounting ledger
Excel spreadsheet
A ledger for every dollar the estate takes in and pays out, with a summary that should match the estate bank account at any time.
Notice to creditors letter
Word document
A letter to send each known creditor: it reports the death, shows your appointment and tells them how and by when to present a claim.
Beneficiary receipt and release
Word document
A form each beneficiary signs when they receive money or property from the estate, so the executor has proof of every distribution.
Renunciation of executor
Word document
A short statement, filed with the probate court, that you decline to serve as the executor named in a will.
Probate court forms
The petition to open the estate, the oath, the inventory and the final accounting come from the probate court in the county where the person lived. Most states publish them statewide. Probate forms by state links to the official forms for all 50 states and DC, and small estate affidavit by state has the form for skipping probate in a small estate. A car's title moves on the motor vehicle office's own forms: see car title after death by state.
IRS forms for executors
| Form | What it does |
|---|---|
| Form 56 | Tells the IRS you are the executor, so notices come to you. |
| Form SS-4 | Gets the estate its own EIN for the bank account and Form 1041. |
| Form 1040 (final) | The person's last income tax return, due April 15 of the year after the death. |
| Form 1310 | Claims a refund due to the person who died, when you aren't a surviving spouse filing jointly. |
| Form 1041 | The estate's income tax return, for any year it has $600 or more of gross income. |
| Form 706 | The federal estate tax return, for large estates or to keep the unused exemption for a spouse. |
| Form 4810 | Asks the IRS to assess any more income tax within 18 months, so you can close the estate. |
| Form 5495 | Asks the IRS to discharge you from personal liability for the estate's taxes. |
State inheritance tax forms
In the five inheritance tax states, the executor usually files the return and pays the tax from each heir's share. Our step-by-step kits cover the forms for each:
- Kentucky Inheritance Tax Return (Form 92A200) Kit ($49)
- Maryland Inheritance Tax Kit ($49)
- Nebraska Inheritance Tax Kit ($49)
- NJ Inheritance Tax Return (IT-R) Workbook ($49)
- PA Inheritance Tax Return (REV-1500) Workbook ($49)
Free guides: Pennsylvania REV-1500 and New Jersey L-8 and L-9 tax waivers.
Optional: get help filing
Get a flat-fee quote for the estate's tax returns
The final Form 1040, the estate's Form 1041 and any state return are the parts executors most often hand off. Leave your email and the rough estate size, and a CPA or Enrolled Agent who prepares estate returns will reply with a fixed price. Free, and no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What forms does an executor need?
The court's petition to open the estate and its forms for the inventory, notices and final accounting; the IRS forms for the person's final return and the estate's own returns; and a state inheritance or estate tax return in the states that have one. Templates for the inventory, accounting, creditor letters and beneficiary releases help with the rest.
Where do I get the executor of estate form to start probate?
From the probate court in the county where the person lived. Each state's court forms are linked in our probate forms by state guide. The petition is usually called a petition for probate or for letters testamentary.
Are these templates accepted by the court?
They are for your own records and letters. Where a court has its own form, such as an inventory or a renunciation, file the court's form and use the template to prepare it.
Sources
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.