checklist for when someone dies estate planning

#CHECKLIST FOR WHEN SOMEONE DIES ESTATE PLANNING REGISTRATION#
#CHECKLIST FOR WHEN SOMEONE DIES ESTATE PLANNING PROFESSIONAL#

#CHECKLIST FOR WHEN SOMEONE DIES ESTATE PLANNING REGISTRATION#

Claim Number, Recent Income Tax Forms and W-2 Forms, Automobile Title and Registration Papers, Loan and Installment Payment Books or Notes.

Contact car and homeowners’ insurance carriers regarding death.ĭOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED: Death Certificates (5-6 certified copies), Social Security Card, Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, Birth Certificate for each child, Insurance Policies, Deeds and Titles to Property, Stock Certificates, Discharge Papers for a Veteran and/or V.A.

If any vehicles are in your spouse’s name individually, contact DMV for Title and Registration change forms. Hold on to check registers, cell phone, etc., for possible relevant information. Try to get any deposits back or collect on any relevant insurance. Don’t buy new financial products with money you may receive until you have time to get advice you trust.Ĭancel your spouse’s travel reservations, appointments, subscriptions, recurring charges etc. Don’t make any major changes in your life you’ve had enough of them. See accountant or tax preparer in the January after your spouse passes to complete tax returns. See if any credit or loan accounts had life insurance. If you don’t have a lawyer, call the Erie County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at (716) 852-3100 or use the Erie County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Request Form.Ĭancel credit cards in spouse’s name and notify the company of death. If there is real property or an interest in real property owned by your spouse individually, you will need to see an attorney to have an estate representative appointed.

Usually there is no immediate need to transfer title of real property held as husband and wife.

#CHECKLIST FOR WHEN SOMEONE DIES ESTATE PLANNING PROFESSIONAL#

Roll over IRAs, etc., into your name.Ĭontact current and all former employers, unions, and professional groups, notifying them of death and asking about possible death benefits, insurance, pensions etc.Ĭontact health insurance carrier to inform them of death try to stay on policy if you are covered and do not have other insurance. Make claims on all life insurance policies and other assets naming you as beneficiary. If your spouse was a Veteran, call the VA for burial and other benefits. If you don’t have a lawyer, call the Erie County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at (716) 852-3100 (or your local bar association) or use the Erie County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Request Form. If you can’t get access by affidavit on a form furnished by the financial institution, you’ll have to wait until an estate representative is appointed and will likely need to see an attorney for that. If any accounts are in your spouse’s name individually, ask the financial institution for a form affidavit you can use to give you access or close out the account if possible. There is usually no need to change those joint accounts immediately. You will continue to have access to all jointly-held accounts and safe-deposit boxes. Get 5-6 copies of the death certificate from the funeral director.Ĭontact Social Security to report death and apply for lump sum death benefit ($255) and possible increase in Social Security for you. Review this checklist of things to do after the death of a spouse: Planning ahead of time can help make these crucial steps easier. When facing the loss of a loved one, especially a spouse, the last thing anyone wants to think about is paperwork.

Checklist for when someone dies estate planning