What to do when a family member dies
The death of a family member is something we usually don’t think about until it happens. Death is tragic but inevitable. When someone you love dies, there are a number of things that need to be done. While this is hard to think about, knowing what to do beforehand can make the whole process a little less stressful. By making things easier, you can better focus on the subject at hand, grieve, and honor the recently deceased.
Steps to take after the death of a loved one
Contact family members and others close to the recently deceased who need to know about the death right away.
If your deceased relative has dependents, you should contact the person designated as guardian of the child.
· Begin making plans for the deceased’s remains.
Contact any official body that should know about the death, such as the post office, the social security administration, and banks or creditors.
· Start making plans for a funeral or memorial service if that is something you would like to do. Never be afraid to ask for help with this. It is extremely difficult to handle a death on your own and your loved ones are a great resource to assist in the planning and implementation of this event.
Contact the newspaper and develop an obituary for the deceased so the community knows of the passing.
Locate your loved one’s will and prepare to settle the estate.
Settlement of an inheritance
Resolving an estate can be a very confusing process to navigate, especially in a time of grievance. There are important steps to consider when it comes time to settle your loved one’s estate.
· Once you have located the will, identify the principal executor.
Contact the beneficiaries identified in the will.
Locate the deceased’s important legal documents, such as their birth certificate, marriage certificates, social security card, and death certificate.
Develop a list of all the decedent’s assets and locate any necessary documents related to these assets, such as mortgages.
· Talk to a tax advisor to learn about the tax steps necessary to liquidate the estate.
Contact the life insurance company of the deceased relative to begin the collection process.
· Once these things have been done, it is possible to start distributing assets.
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