This newsletter is brought to you by Blount Hughes LLC, Attorneys and Counselors at Law and is intended as a community service for friends and clients.
This is the season when many are celebrating Christmas and the hope and excitement that comes with a new year! The year 2020 was particularly challenging for most. However, the holidays can be a sad time for some, as it reminds us of those whom we cannot be with, or those we have lost in prior years, or maybe even recently. The loss of a loved one can leave us feeling lost and overwhelmed at any time of the year, but especially during the holidays, when others around us are celebrating.
While we at Blount Hughes hope you are indeed celebrating with your family and friends, making new memories, and finally having some time to destress, we also want to remember those who are struggling to know what to do as they face the loss of a loved one. Below you will find a basic checklist that might be helpful if you are one of those facing this particular challenge right now.
BLOUNT HUGHES, LLC
What To Do When a Loved one Passes
Complete | Timing | Item |
PERSONAL MATTERS | ||
Notify immediate family and close friends | ||
Arrange care for dependents, if any | ||
Arrange care for pets, if any | ||
Find and review Decedent’s expressed funeral and burial wishes | ||
Notify other members of family and friends | ||
Evaluate the emotional impact on the surviving spouse, children and close
relatives and friends; arrange for support |
||
Notify agent under any power of attorney | ||
Notify attending physician | ||
PROPERTY MATTERS | ||
Evaluate the need for security at Decedent’s residence and change the
locks if necessary |
||
Find perishable property (food, plants, etc.), arrange for care or disposal | ||
Have Post Office hold mail or forward mail to named representative | ||
FINAL ARRANGEMENTS | ||
Deal with donation of bodily organs to an “organ bank,” as appropriate | ||
Arrange for mortuary, cemetery, burial, cremation, as appropriate | ||
Prepare and arrange for obituary | ||
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS | ||
Keep records of all payments for funeral and other expenses | ||
Locate income tax returns for last 3 years | ||
Locate gift tax returns, if any | ||
Investigate veteran’s burial allowance and other benefits | ||
Investigate refunds on insurance or canceled subscriptions | ||
Investigate Keogh and IRA accounts, including Designations of
Beneficiary |
||
Work with an attorney to prepare inventory, list of accounts and list of
debts |
||
Review credit cards and charge accounts, cancel as appropriate | ||
Obtain valuations of assets, as appropriate | ||
DO NOT pay any of Decedent’s debts until attorney discusses with family
or executor |
||
BUSINESS AFFAIRS | ||
Investigate employee benefits, including accrued vacation pay, death
benefits, final wages, retirement plans, deferred compensation, medical reimbursements |
||
Investigate business, partnership and investment arrangements | ||
Retain and meet with an Estate Planning attorney regarding estate | ||
administration, tax and accounting matters | ||
Obtain death certificates (ask attorney how many are needed) | ||
Deal with fire, theft, liability and auto insurance on Decedent’s property | ||
Locate safe deposit box(es); follow safe deposit box procedures | ||
Locate wills, codicils, trusts | ||
Locate life insurance policies | ||
Locate other important documents, relationships, accounts, investments,
etc. |
||
Advise Social Security and other agencies as appropriate | ||
Investigate social security benefits |
This list is not intended to be all inclusive, rather is only a starting point. Everyone’s situation is unique and there may be issues that are not covered on this form. If you ever have any questions or concerns about these matters, please contact your legal adviser. Nothing in this form is intended as tax advice.
This newsletter is not intended to provide legal advice, nor is it intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other attorneys. Now currently scheduling consultations for the New Year.