| The death of a family member is something we | | | | this event. |
| typically don't think about until it happens. Death is | | | | · Contact the paper and develop an obituary for |
| tragic yet unavoidable. When someone you love | | | | the deceased to let the community know of the |
| passes there are a number of things that must | | | | passing. |
| be done. While this is difficult to think about, | | | | · Locate your loved one's will and prepare for |
| knowing in advance what to do can make the | | | | settling the estate. |
| whole process a little less stressful. By making | | | | Settling an Estate |
| things easier you are better able to concentrate | | | | Settling an estate can be a very confusing |
| on the issue at hand, mourning and honoring the | | | | process to navigate, especially in a time of grief. |
| recently deceased. | | | | There are important steps to consider when the |
| Steps to Take Following the Death of a Loved | | | | time comes to settle the estate of your loved |
| One | | | | one. |
| · Contact family members and others close to | | | | · Once you have located the will, identify the |
| the recently deceased who should know | | | | chief executor. |
| immediately of the passing. | | | | · Contact the beneficiaries identified in the will. |
| · If your late family member has dependents | | | | · Locate the important legal documents of the |
| you need to contact the person set up as the | | | | deceased, such as their birth certificate, marriage |
| child's guardian. | | | | certificates, social security card, and death |
| · Begin making plans for the remains of the | | | | certificate. |
| deceased. | | | | · Develop a list of all the assets of the deceased |
| · Contact any official agencies that should know | | | | and locate all necessary paper work surrounding |
| of the passing, such as the post office, the social | | | | these assets, such as mortgages. |
| security administration, and banks or creditors. | | | | · Speak with a tax advisor to find out about any |
| · Begin making plans for a funeral or memorial | | | | tax steps necessary in settling the estate. |
| service if this is something you would like to do. | | | | · Contact the late family member's life insurance |
| Never be afraid to ask for assistance with this. It | | | | company to begin the collection process. |
| is extremely difficult to manage a death on your | | | | · Once these things have been done it is possible |
| own and your loved ones are a great resource | | | | to begin distributing assets. |
| for aiding in the planning and implementation of | | | | |