FADE TO
BLACK
(ROLL CREDITS)
PHOTO BY MARTIN PARR
① ESTATE
TO DO
GET 10-15 COPIES OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE
YOU WILL NEED A COPY OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF MANY TASKS SUCH AS CLOSING ACCOUNTS. IN MANY CASES, ONLY THE EXECUTOR WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE THESE MATTERS.
Find the will and the executor
the deceased survivors need to know where any money, property or belongings will go. Ideally, you talked with your relative before they passed and they told you where they kept her will. If not, look for the document in a desk, a safety deposit box or wherever they kept important papers. People usually name an executor (the person who will manage the settling of the estate) in their will. The executor needs to be involved in most of the steps going forward. If there isn't a will, the probate court judge will name an administrator in place of an executor.
Meet with a trusts and estates attorney
While you don't need an attorney to settle an estate, having one makes things easier.
Contact a CPA
If they had a CPA, contact them; if not, hire one. The estate may have to file a tax return, and a final tax return will need to be filed on the deceased's behalf.
Take the will to probate
Probate is the legal process of executing a will. You'll need to do this at a county or city probate court office. Probate court makes sure that the person's debts and liabilities are paid and that the remaining assets are transferred to the beneficiaries.
Make an inventory of all assets
Laws vary by state, but the probate process usually starts with an inventory of all assets (personal property, bank accounts, house, car, brokerage account, personal property, furniture, jewelry, etc.), which will need to be filed in the court. For the physical items in the household, get an appraiser.
Track down assets
Part of the work of making that inventory of assets is finding them all. The task, called marshaling the assets, can be a big job. Comb your family member's tax returns, mail, email, brokerage and bank accounts, deeds and titles to find assets. Don't leave any safety deposit box or filing cabinet unopened.
CONTACT BANKS, MORTGAGE COMPANIES AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS
TALK TO EACH INSTITUTION ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE THE DECEASED ACCOUNTS. IF THERE IS A SAFE DEPOSIT BOX, YOU MAY NEED A COURT ORDER TO OPEN IT IF THERE IS NO KEY.
CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANIES
FOR A LIFE INSURANCE ACCOUNT YOU WILL NEED TO FILL OUT A CLAIM FORM. FOR ALL OTHER POLICIES LIKE CAR AND HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE JUST STOP THE COVERAGE,
The Social Security Administration: If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you need to stop the checks. Some family members may be eligible for death benefits from Social Security. Generally, funeral directors report deaths to the Social Security Administration, but, ultimately, it's the survivors’ responsibility to tell the SSA. Contact your local SSA office to do so. The agency will let Medicaid know that your loved one died.
Make a list of bills
Share the list with the executor so that important expenses like the mortgage, taxes and utilities are taken care of while the estate is settled.
CLOSE CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTS AND NOTIFY CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES
CLOSE ALL ACCOUNTS AND SEND A DEATH CERTIFICATE TO CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES TO REDUCE THE RISK OF IDENTITY THEFT. EQUIFAX, EXPERIAN AND TRANSUNION ARE THE THREE MAJOR CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES.
CANCEL DRIVER’S LICENSE
NOTIFY THE STATE TO CANCEL their DRIVER’S LICENSE.
CONTACT SOCIAL MEDIA SITES TO CLOSE OR MEMORIALIZE ACCOUNTS
CONTACT SOCIAL SITES LIKE FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER TO CLOSE YOUR LOVED ONE’S SOCIAL ACCOUNTS. SOME SITES SUCH AS FACEBOOK ALLOW YOU TO MEMORIALIZE AN ACCOUNT TO LET OTHERS SHARE MEMORIES AFTER A LOVED ONE HAS PASSED AWAY.
CONTACT SOCIAL SECURITY TO APPLY FOR SURVIVOR BENEFITS
YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR SURVIVOR BENEFITS. THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE- CHECK THE SOCIAL SECURITY WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
CONTACT MEDICARE
MEDICARE BENEFITS AND SERVICES ARE TYPICALLY HANDLED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
Close email accounts
To prevent identity theft and fraud, it's a good idea to shut down the deceased's email account. If the person set up a funeral plan or a will, she may have included log-in information so you can do this yourself. If not, you'll need copies of the death certificate to cancel an email account. The specifics vary by company, but most require a death certificate and verification that you are kin or the executor.
want more to do? check out the 51 point checklist
EMPATHY.COM
“Your personal companion through loss” // An app that helps your organize all the tasks.
② posessions
final sale
donation, liquidation, charities, estate sales, garage sales, + pets.
♺ Donation station
clothing
career gear donate professional clothing.
Angel gown Provides comfort for bereaved families through the gift of a beautiful custom made gown for final photos and for burial services made from donated wedding gowns.
One Warm Coat find coat drive locations.
free the girls donate bras and help women rescued from sex trafficking reintegrate into their communities.
BOOKS
Books to prisoners mailing books to incarcerated people since 1973.
other stuff
Everything but the house an online marketplace.
WE BUY ANY PORN IS A UK BASED COMPANY THAT DISPOSES OF YOUR DEAD RELATIVES STASH
♺ support
Children of hoarders Crisis cleaning advice
Your parent's living conditions are not, now and never were, your fault.
③ #neverforget
Rituals/Memorials/Tributes
Light a Candle
pour one out
Visit the Grave
Send reminder on social media
Wear a reminder - jewelry. Locket, etc.
altar
resources
morning altars made from pieces of nature
