The emotional turmoil of losing a loved one can make it difficult to focus on finalizing their affairs in the days and weeks that follow. Having a list can make it far easier to complete these probate administration tasks yourself, or divide them among other family members and close friends.
Before Their Passing
As a relative or close friend, you need to know about their wishes. You should have important information such as funeral, burial, or cremation arrangements, as well as their preferences for organ donation and resuscitation. Knowing whether or not they have appointed a proxy or an advocate in the event that they’re unable to make medical decisions is also vital.
They should inform you about where all of their important documents and items are located. Life insurance policies; their will; keys to any safe deposit boxes; financial statements; and birth, marriage, or divorce certificates are all important items you’ll need to be able to find after they’ve passed away. Finally, they should have drawn up a will and given you a copy.
Immediately Following Their Passing
You will have to get an official pronouncement of your loved one’s death. If they died in the hospital, their doctor can accomplish this. If they died at home and were receiving hospice care, their nurse will be the one to call. If they died at home without hospice care, call 911 and be sure to have their DNR resuscitation document ready.
A Few Days After Their Passing
You’ll need to arrange for your loved one’s funeral and burial or cremation within a few days of their death. Review these estate planning documents and see if they prepaid for their funeral, burial, or cremation. If they were a military member or with a religious or another group, contact them to inquire about funeral services or burial benefits.
The Next Week to 10 Days After Their Passing
You’ll be gathering important documents from various locations in the next week or so. The funeral home can provide you with copies of their death certificate, which you’ll be sending to their insurance company, bank, and government agencies.
You’ll also need to bring your loved one’s will to their county or city office for probate acceptance. Their utility company, pension agency, social security, accountant, bank, and life insurance agent will also need to be contacted.
Talk to an Attorney
Even if you’ve completed all of the necessary steps correctly, the reality is that you can be held liable for not following your loved one’s wishes exactly as stated. Or, you may feel too overwhelmed by your loss to complete all of these necessary tasks yourself. Whatever your particular situation, an estate administration attorney can help you figure out what needs to be done.
The lawyers at Joseph A. Ledwidge, PC are strongly focused on probate and estate administration law. With a combined 32 years of experience, we can help you navigate the probate process. Your result matters to us; call (718) 276-6656 to arrange your consultation.
Ledwidge & Associates
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