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There’s a lot of work to do when a loved one passes—funeral arrangements to be made, condolences to be given, and wills to be executed. The process of honoring your loved one’s wishes can be a bit legally complicated; many families seek an attorney so they can focus on supporting each other. Regardless of your situation, there are steps you should follow after a loved one’s passing. Here’s a checklist for your convenience.

1. Get Several Death Certificates & Letters of Administration

As with any important record, you should get at least five copies of the death certificate from your local vital records office. A number of institutions—insurance companies, creditors, government agencies, companies providing trusts—will request a copy and may not be quick to return it. Letters of administration identify to whom your loved one entrusted their will and can be found at city hall.

2. Gather Financial Documents

TheAttorney executor of the will or attorney will have to determine the value of the estate—estate planning can take care of this step ahead of time. To do so, they must gather wills and trusts, investment accounts, recent tax returns, credit reports, and records of any outstanding debts and credits. Contact the deceased’s accountant or tax attorney, if they ever employed one.

3. Notify & Cancel

Any institutions related to your loved one’s finances should be notified. That includes the Social Security Administration, employers, credit card companies, creditors, and insurance companies. Refer to their financial documents to see any credit cards, financial accounts, and memberships that will require cancellation. This is also a good time to pay any outstanding debts. If they made an estate plan with an attorney, a plan for this step may already have been made.

4. Claim Benefits

File insurance claims on each of your loved one’s life insurance policies. You must provide death certificates for each claim. An attorney can help you complete this step in a speedy, organized manner. If they were employed, research their company’s policies to find out if their family is entitled to any 401(k) or bonus funds.

 

When a loved one passes away, Hawaii Convey helps families focus on what’s important: each other. Speak with an estate planning professional or lawyer to have their will honored with the utmost precision and speed. Schedule a free consultation by calling them at (808) 792-8777 or visiting their website.

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