Key Steps to Take After a Loved One Passes Away

• Determine Role
• Ordering death certificates

Maybe you know the deceased's wishes or maybe you will discover them through this process. When arranging the funeral, consider asking the funeral home for at least 10 original certified copies of the death certificate, and possibly more if the deceased's financial situation was complex. These death certificates will come in handy as you work with different professionals to settle the estate.

Here are some things to consider as you gather all the documents:

• Is there a will/established trust?
• Are there instructions in the deceased's will on handling the final affairs?
• Should I forward the mail?

• https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm

• Where are the passwords to their online accounts and social media kept?
• Review Finances. What investment accounts, safe deposit box, credit cards, and bank accounts exist?

• Pull a credit report to assist at www.annualcreditreport.com

• Who is the insurance agent and what policies exist?
• Who was their attorney, tax advisor or accountant?
• Was your loved one still working? If so, who is the HR contact at their employment?

• Are there any former employers to check with about pension or group insurance?

• Was your loved one receiving payments from Social Security, an employer's pension, the Veterans Administration or a reverse mortgage?

  Department of Veterans Affairs	1-800-827-1000	va.gov
  Social Security Administration	1-800-772-1213	ssa.gov
  Office of Personnel Management	1-888-767-6738	opm.gov
  Railroad Retirement Board	1-877-772-5772	rrb.gov

  More at right

  This table shows the contact information for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, Office of Personnel Management, and the Railroad Retirement Board.

• In order to obtain answers to those questions, here are some helpful items to have on hand:

• SSN and DOB of surviving joint account holders
• Marriage Certificate
• Stock certificates
• Deeds
• Safe deposit box key
• Military discharge papers
• Vehicle titles
• Insurance policies

Are you in charge of settling the estate? To that end, the following is a list of people you may need/want to contact:

Attorney

Keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to use the lawyer who drew up the will or trust to settle the estate. Instead, ask about the lawyer's fee and estate settlement experience, and look elsewhere if you have concerns. Assuming there is a will and perhaps a trust, the attorney you hire can guide you and the other survivors through these documents.

Accountant

If the deceased's finances are complicated, you may also need to hire an accountant. Even if the situation is relatively straightforward, you'll need a tax preparer to file final federal and state income-tax returns for the year in which the person passed. These returns are generally due 9 months after the date of death, but you can request an extension to file. Surviving spouses can still file joint returns. Also, you may need to pay state and federal estate taxes, although surviving spouses likely won't owe any taxes on the money they inherit.

Financial Advisor

If you are the surviving spouse, you may have been named as a beneficiary on any retirement accounts and as joint owner on any taxable accounts. It can be helpful to sit down with a Financial Advisor, review what you own and why, and discuss whether the portfolio, your insurance coverage and your estate plan are still appropriate.

Bank

You will want to see how the accounts are titled. As you make decisions about the deceased's bank and other financial accounts, you may be asked not only for a death certificate, but also a court order, such as letter of testamentary issued by the probate court, that show you are the executor of the will, or a copy of the trust to demonstrate you are the trustee.

Insurance Agent

Insurance companies don't pay benefits automatically. Instead, they must be notified of a policyholder's death. If you're working with an agent, a telephone call may be all that's needed. If not, you may need to notify the company in writing. Be sure to ask for any unpaid dividends.

Past or Present Employers

Ask about retirement plans, such as 401(k) or defined benefit plans. If the deceased was still working, you will also need to check about a final paycheck, as well as any company-paid life insurance and other benefits.

Social Security Administration

Contact Social Security to stop payments to the deceased and to see if you are eligible for survivor benefits.

Veterans Administration

As with Social Security, you should halt the deceased's benefits and see if you are eligible for benefits as the survivor.