Either immediately or during the first few weeks
Provide for the care of any dependents or pets Hopefully, the caregiver was named in the Will.
Arrange for the funeral services As per the person's wishes.
Contact friends, family, caregivers and employers To inform them of the death.
Start tracking finances Keep track of any money received or spent on behalf of the deceased or from the estate.
Write the obituary Publish it with the funeral home and other desired media.
Secure real estate assets Get control of any real estate that your loved one owned, such as their home, business, rental property or commercial property. This includes getting the keys, changing the locks if necessary, and notifying the building or property manager and tenants. Let tenants know how and to whom rent is now to be paid.
Contact the appropriate government agencies Such as the Social Security Administration, Medicare and the Veterans' Administration (if applicable).
Gather contact information Make a list of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all of the heirs and named beneficiaries.
Create a list of personal and financial assets and debts This includes bank accounts, credit cards, safety deposit boxes, investment accounts, mortgages, real estate taxes, car registration, insurance policies, etc.
Get online account information If possible, compile a list of user names and passwords for online financial accounts, social media accounts, etc.
Deactivate the social media accounts See our article on "what to do with your deceased loved one's social media accounts."
Contact the life insurance company They will have forms for you to fill out.
Contact the attorney who prepared the Will and/or Trust To discuss Will and/or Trust administration procedures.
Secure all of the assets that are in the Trust.
Determine the liabilities of the deceased and the Trust (i.e. find all of their bills, outstanding loans, other debts, etc.). If there are liquid assets in the Trust, use some of these assets to pay these debts.
Provide notice of the death and the existence of the Trust to all of the heirs and beneficiaries named in the Trust. Ensure that these heirs and beneficiaries receive routine accountings of the Trust's assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses during the distribution period of the trust administration.
Contract with a Trust Administration Attorney and tax preparer for professional assistance.
Make all of the necessary distributions to the Trust's heirs and beneficiaries.
Close out the Trust and trust administration.
This article is presented courtesy of Paula Schaefer, www.PaulaSchaeferLaw.com.
Provide for the care of any dependents or pets Hopefully, the caregiver was named in the Will.
Arrange for the funeral services As per the person’s wishes.
Start tracking finances Track any money received or spent from the estate.
Secure real estate assets Access property, change locks, notify tenants, etc.
Secure all of the assets Gather and protect all trust property.
Determine the liabilities Review and pay outstanding bills from the trust.
Provide notice of the death Inform beneficiaries and ensure clear communication.
Make all necessary distributions Follow the trust terms to distribute assets fairly.