Final Accounting and Distribution of Assets

Once creditor claims have been resolved and all required steps have been completed, the probate process enters its final phase: accounting and distribution.

This stage requires careful documentation, transparency, and court approval before assets can legally pass to heirs or beneficiaries.

What the Final Accounting Includes

• All estate assets at the start of probate
• Income received during administration
• Expenses paid on behalf of the estate
• Creditor claims resolved
• Assets remaining for distribution

The accounting protects beneficiaries and the personal representative by clearly documenting how the estate was handled.

The Petition for Final Distribution

After the accounting is complete, the personal representative files a Petition for Final Distribution requesting court approval to distribute assets and close the estate.

Distribution and Closure

Once approved, assets may be transferred to heirs, accounts closed, and the estate formally concluded.

What Comes Next

The final chapter explains how estates are closed, records are retained, and what families should consider after probate concludes.