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Finalizing estate matters while planning a funeral is a stressful necessity during a time of death. These tips will help you know where to start.
Make financial arrangements. Contact creditors and access bank statements (you often have to show a death certificate before allowed to see bank records). The deceased may have left debts, and you should make arrangements to pay any outstanding bills. All assets should be accounted for, if you aren't sure of where all the deceased assets lay you should contact their tax consultant or accountant. The name should be changed on all joint bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages, loans, brokerage counts, stocks, bonds and any other type of investment.
Divide the assets. The will, living trusts and remaining estates are gone through and belongings are shepherded out to survivors by an appointed Executor either named in the will or appointed by a Probate Court. If no will exists the Probate Court will process the estate matters and assign belongings to the deceased's survivors.
Claim death benefits. File life insurance claims, social Security, pension or retirement funds, unions, and anywhere else your loved one had financial protection. In order to make death benefit claims you need an official death certificate.
Notify death to third parties. Call employers, any social or religious groups the deceased was a part of, state and local agencies like the Department of Motor Vehicles, the telephone books and newspapers and let them know of the deceased's passing. It may help to have someone assist you in doing this, as bearing this news can be burdensome.
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