Life goes on, and you’ll find yourself, to one degree or another depending on the day or time-of-day; feeling out-of-sync with what is going on around you. You’ll be faced with strong emotions, intermittent fatigue, still have to cope with daily life and also be responsible for taking care of many details related to your loved one's life and estate.
There are certain practical matters you’ll need to attend to after the death of a loved one. A brief overview of these could include:
You have to have the original; the court won’t accept a copy. Then you’ll have to register the will at the local probate office.
That is, locate all the essential information about your loved one’s assets and liabilities: insurance policies, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments and loans. You’ll need all these to manage upcoming transactions and to notify the financial providers.
This will help you handle retirement plan distributions, employer-purchased insurance payouts and ensure that any vacation pay due goes to beneficiaries.
Chances are good something will eventually arrive about an account or loan the deceased had, and there may be assets that aren’t even known to the family. Take the time to cancel magazine subscriptions, catalogs, and anything else arriving by mail regularly.
Don’t let anything get by you and slip into collections. Make sure you’ve arranged to wrap up any outstanding liabilities: the monthly utility bill, the mortgage, credit card bills, or car loans.
It’s true that nothing is certain except death and taxes. Without fail, you will eventually have to send in federal and state income tax returns and possibly estate tax returns. It may benefit you to turn these tasks over to a certified accountant.
The Internet and Social Media
Don't forget to close on all email accounts, Facebook and any business conducted online
When things are really complex, or if you’re just not comfortable handling an estate, you may want to bring in an estate attorney. At the very least, check in with one after you’ve completed what you can. We’d recommend telling them what you’ve done, and asking them if you’ve missed anything along the way. Chances are, they can tie up any loose ends in an hour or two – and the peace-of-mind you’ll receive in return for their fee is well worth the price.