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Things to Remember
Here are some reminders our families have found helpful.
- File insurance claims for each policy held. Contact each company for a claim form. (Ask if you will need a certified death certificate or if a photo copy will suffice.)
- File appropriate health insurance claims and notify them of the death that has occurred.
- Notify your home, business & auto insurance companies.
- Contact Social Security about your benefits for appropriate forms and procedures. (Your funeral home has already notified them of the death.)
- Contact the Veteran's Administration, if applicable. Ask them about benefits, appropriate forms and procedures.
- Talk with your attorney about probating the will and making other necessary filings.
- Make arrangements to update your own will or trust, if necessary.
- Transfer assets into your name or your trust, as appropriate.
- Revise titles on your car(s) or other titled property.
- Contact your bank(s) for revising or closing out checking/savings accounts & safe deposit boxes.
- Correct the tax identification number on financial accounts which are in the name of the deceased.
- Cancel direct deposit payments that are in the name of the deceased.
- Change beneficiaries on insurance policies, retirement accounts, savings bonds, etc.
- Contact creditors for all mortgages, personal notes, credit card companies, etc. in which the name of the deceased is involved.
- Change ownership of joint or solely owned stocks and bonds.
- Transfer or close IRA and retirement accounts or other investments managed by brokers.
- If your income will change significantly, you should make a plan for paying debts and obligations.
NOTE: This is only a suggested checklist. It is not intended to replace appropriate legal or financial counsel.
