There are a number of different documents that must be gathered to successfully bring an estate through probate. Records of all assets in the estate must be gathered. These include bank accounts, investment portfolios, titles to all property (land, house, car, etc.), and bill/statements showing outstanding debts. A list of the deceased person's property and its value may become a part of the public probate records. This record, in addition to the death notice, helps makes creditors aware that they need to pursue a claim for reimbursement out of the estate. A person looking for probate records can generally start by contacting the circuit court in the county where the deceased last lived.

The personal administrator (executor) who handles the will is responsible for keeping accurate records of all payments made out of the estate. These include settling debts, paying court costs and attorney fees, and paying estate taxes if required. The executor must turn in a final accounting of these transactions to the probate court. Once the court reviews these records and determines that there are no unresolved issues, probate is closed and the heirs can inherit their shares of the estate.