Losing a loved one brings both emotional and practical responsibilities. While there is no single checklist that fits every family, taking a few important steps early can help you protect the estate, avoid unnecessary delays, and make the administration process more manageable.
Many people know they will need to arrange a funeral and locate a will, but several other tasks are easy to overlook. Here are five that often deserve attention soon after a death.
1. Get Multiple Certified Copies of the Death Certificate
One of the first documents you will need is the official death certificate. Financial institutions, insurance companies, government agencies, and others often require an original certified copy before they will release funds or transfer assets.
You may need certified copies to handle matters such as:
- Life insurance claims
- Social Security benefits
- Retirement accounts
- Bank and investment accounts
- Veteran’s benefits
- Real estate transfers
The funeral home typically helps obtain certified death certificates. Ordering multiple copies at the beginning often saves time later. While every estate is different, many families find they need more copies than expected.
If you pay for certified copies yourself, keep your receipts. Those costs may be reimbursable through the estate.
2. Notify Your Loved One’s Financial Advisor and Accountant
Many families think first about calling the attorney who prepared the estate plan. That is an important step, but it is also helpful to notify your loved one’s financial advisor, accountant, or tax professional if they had one.
These professionals may help identify:
- Investment and retirement accounts
- Required tax documents
- Financial records
- Automatic payments or recurring withdrawals
- Other assets that beneficiaries may not know about
Having a complete picture of the estate early can make administration more organized and reduce the risk of overlooking property or financial obligations.
3. Forward Your Loved One’s Mail
Mail often provides valuable information about a person’s financial life. Bills, account statements, tax forms, insurance notices, and other correspondence may continue arriving for months after someone passes away.
If you are responsible for administering the estate, arranging for mail forwarding through the United States Postal Service can help ensure you receive important documents without interruption.
Reviewing incoming mail may help you identify:
- Outstanding bills
- Credit card accounts
- Utility accounts
- Insurance policies
- Investment accounts
- Subscription services that should be canceled
Keeping track of this information can help you settle the estate more efficiently.
4. Contact Your Loved One’s Employer
If your loved one was employed at the time of death, contact the employer as soon as reasonably possible.
The employer’s human resources department can explain available benefits and provide information about matters such as:
- Final wages
- Unused vacation or paid time off
- Employer-sponsored life insurance
- Retirement plans
- Health insurance benefits
In many cases, the employer can also explain what documentation will be needed before benefits are paid to the estate or named beneficiaries.
5. File the Required Final Tax Returns
Yes. A person’s tax responsibilities do not automatically end when they pass away.
Depending on the circumstances, the estate’s personal representative may need to file:
- A final federal and state individual income tax return
- Estate income tax returns, if required
- Any other tax filings that apply to the estate
Not every estate will owe estate taxes, but most people still have final income tax obligations. Working with an attorney and tax professional can help ensure the necessary returns are completed correctly and submitted on time.
You Don’t Have to Handle Everything Alone
Administering an estate often means handling a long list of legal and financial responsibilities. You may be communicating with banks, government agencies, employers, insurance companies, and family members while also coping with the loss of someone close to you.
Trying to manage every task on your own can make an already difficult time even harder. We can help you understand your responsibilities, identify the next steps, and guide you through the estate administration process from beginning to end.
We’re Here to Help You Through Estate Administration
If you have recently lost a loved one, you do not have to figure everything out on your own. At E.A. Goodman Law, LLC, we help New Jersey families with estate administration, probate, and the legal responsibilities that follow a death. Contact us today to discuss your situation and learn how we can help.
Posted in: Estate Planning