The death of a family member is something we normally 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 ahead of time can make the whole process a little less stressful. By making things easier, you can better focus on the issue at hand, mourn, 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 immediately about the death.
If your deceased family member has dependents, you should contact the person designated as the child’s guardian.
· Begin making plans for the remains of the deceased.
Contact any government agencies that need to know of the death, such as the post office, social security administration, and banks or creditors.
· Start making plans for a funeral or memorial service if it 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 planning and implementing this event.
Contact the newspaper and develop an obituary for the deceased to let the community know of the death.
Locate your loved one’s will and prepare to settle the estate.
Settlement of an inheritance
Settling 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 liquidate your loved one’s estate.
· Once you have located the will, identify the primary 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 the tax steps required to liquidate the estate.
Contact the deceased family member’s life insurance company to begin the collection process.
· Once these things have been done, it is possible to start distributing assets.
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