Schedule of Receipts and Disbursements

The two schedules that support a probate account are simple lists with strict fields: every receipt needs its date, source, and description; every disbursement needs its date, payee, purpose, and amount. Courts reject schedules with vague entries — and spreadsheets make vague entries easy.

The fields, and why they matter

Schedule of Receipts

• Amount — in dollars, exact
• Date — when the estate received it
• Source — which account or payer it came from
• Description — the nature: interest, dividend, rent, sale proceeds

Schedule of Disbursements

• Amount — exact dollars
• Date — when paid
• Payee — to whom
• Purpose — insurance, tax, filing fee, professional services

The income / principal split

Money the estate earns while you administer it (interest, rent, dividends) is income. The property itself, and proceeds of selling it, are principal. Courts and trusts want these separate, and a mixed spreadsheet cannot tell them apart after the fact. The Ledger records the split on every movement as you enter it.

Estate Ledger is an educational organizing tool — not legal advice. Court filing formats vary; confirm your court's requirements. Content checked 2026-10-17.