WHEN a loved one dies, not only are family members left with grieving to do, but also a very long laundry list of tasks to accomplish.
And for many people, it is only when they find themselves in this situation, they begin to find out all the things that must be done to tidy up their loved one’s affairs.
The first task is informing family, relatives, and friends – and this is often the hardest task especially if the death was unexpected. You may well need the support of friends to help you get through the calls you have to make, and emotions will be running high for everyone.
Next, there are some immediate decisions that need to be made – depending on where the person died, such as their home or the hospital, proper care of the body needs to be arranged promptly. Also check a will or a driving license to see if the deceased was an organ donor as timing is extremely critical if their wishes are to be acted upon to help others. And if the departed had pets, they will need new homes and caring for them straight away.
Any workplaces will need to be informed promptly, especially if there are benefits that need to be claimed such as insurance.
Wherever possible, honor the deceased’s wishes for their end-of-life arrangements – funeral plans, religious services, commemorations. Many people do write these down or at least share ideas with loved ones, especially if they have had time to prepare for their death. Some even have prepaid funeral packages, and if this is the case contact the business responsible. Use a reliable and recommended funeral home to help you take care of arrangements and with a crematory or cemetery – they are experts in their field and will have answers to questions you did not know you had.
You may wish to publish an obituary in your local paper, where you can share details of the funeral service and maybe list any preferred charities the deceased may like donations to be made to in their memory.
If one was made, find the person’s Last Will and Testament – this document will make many things much more straightforward and you know you will be following their wishes. If a legal firm was involved in drawing it up, contact them as they may have further information n their files and may be best placed to assist with its execution. This could be especially true if the deceased had lived in multiple states, as each state has different laws and regulations surrounding probate. It is worth contacting any named individuals in the will and managing expectations, particularly over time as handling probate can be a drawn-out business. If no will is found, the deceased died intestate and a specific set of rules will be applied by the probate judge of their county.
The funeral will naturally be an emotional time for you and many others – it is important to take the time you need to grieve and look after your own mental and emotional needs, and you may even wish to seek help or support from family, friends, or even professionals and support groups.
Practically, it is a good idea to secure assets and belongings – news that someone has died can be an invitation to a thief, and well-meaning family members may want mementos that could be sentimental or valuable, but that must wait until the will is resolved. It may be advisable to change locks on property and remove any perishable items from a home if it is to be empty for a while. Take a friend for support but also as a witness against any accusations that may be made for you helping yourself.
Next, there are many organizations that need to be formally notified of the death. Start with the IRS and get a tax identification for the estate, then publish a notice to any creditors to protect the estate from claims potentially years down the line.
Request any mail be redirected at the Post Office and register fir a Do Not Contact list so the deceased’s name starts to be removed from marketing lists, both for the obvious practical reason and to reduce opportunities for identity theft. Notify all financial businesses, banks, insurance companies, and the like you can identify – these will have procedures in place by will probably require proof of the death. Assets may need transferring or retitling and new accounts may need to be opened.
Reach out to utilities and service companies, the Social Security Administration, the BMV, and voter registration to cancel all accounts. Ensure any outstanding bills are settled but keep a detailed paperchase to assist with the probate administration. You are also advised to compile a detailed inventory of assets and their fair value – taking photos is a good tip.
A more recent addition to advice for loved ones is to start to deal with the deceased’s digital footprint – all those social media accounts, cloud storage, personal data and digital media. Many people continue to ‘live on’ for years as no one knows how to access an account or even that there were accounts on less well-known platforms.
Finally, decide if the executor is to receive financial compensation – if you used a lawyer, they will most certainly require a fee. Ensure returns are file and any taxes paid. Distribute assets to beneficiaries and heirs after all estate costs have been finalized and met, and then file the final report and close the estate.
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