What To Do When Your Loved One Dies - Troup County (PDF)

9 Contact employer and/or business associates to find out about: • Group Life insurance • Unpaid commissions • Terminal pay allowance • Disability income • Credit union balance • Pension fund contributions • Accrued vacation/sick pay • Gratuity payments (tips) • Service recognition awards • Check to see if you and the other dependents are still eligible for hospitalization and health insurance 10 Contact organizations to which deceased Belonged 11 After property title changes are complete, contact the insurance company that insures your property to inform them of changes in ownership 12 Notify Federal and State tax authorities 13 Notify anyone connected with family finances such as a banker, stockbroker, accountant or financial planner 14 Gather and list all current bills deceased owes and money owed deceased 15 Cancel driver’s license 16 Notify credit agencies to insure credit identity is protected Prepared by Esther M. Maddux Extension Home Economist Family Resources Management Reviewed and edited by: Wanda L. O’Callaghan Fran Carmichael The Cooperative Extension Service, The University of Georgia of Agriculture offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap status. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May and June 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE DIES Presented as a public service by: Debbie Wade, Judge Troup County Probate Court 100 Ridley Avenue LaGrange, Georgia 30240 Main office number: 706-883-1690 Fax: 706-812-7933 Copied and distributed with permission of COOPERATIVE EXENSTION SERVICE THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE/ATHENS Losing a loved one is one of the most stressful Experiences of life! You can ease this time in advance This information brochure is not intended to be by preparing a will and a list of the locations for used as legal advice. Please consult with your all financial and professional resource information. attorney.  ---- • Life insurance cash value • Interest only: principal stays intact, interest paid periodically-good temporarily while you decide WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR LOVED 4 Likely places to search for important papers are: what to do with the money ONE DIES • Safety deposit boxes • Life income or annuity: beneficiary receives When you spouse or someone close to you dies, certain • Strongboxes or Lockers stipulated benefit on set dates for the lifetime of things need to be done. Here is a quick list of things to do: • Brief cases the claimant 1 Contact the funeral director. Be prepared to give the following information for the death certificate: • Full name of deceased • Nationality • Social Security Number • Date and place of birth • Office desks • Safes Locate: • Life insurance policies • Accidental death and health insurance policies • Homeowner insurance policies • Bankbooks 7 • Fixed installments: benefits are paid in agreed amounts over a period of time until the money is used up Contact attorney immediately so he or she can: • Locate and Probate will* • Occupation • Marital status • Notes receivable and notes payable • Real estate deeds • Advise you as to what to sign and what not to sign • Full name of parents, siblings, and other survivors of deceased (including mother’s maiden name) • Full name of previous marriage partner(s) Make funeral arrangements with funeral director and clergy: • Specify when family members will be available • Select casket • Select calling hours • Choose cremation, body donation, memorial service, burial service • Select transportation (number of cars, limousines) Full expenses may include coffin, flowers, clergy, honorariums, newspaper notices, use of church, clothing, funeral home space rental, certified death transcripts, opening the grave, cemetery plot, grave marker, cremation and transportation. 5 6 • Security certificates • Wills • Income tax return forms • W-2 forms and other records of earnings • Marriage certificate • Social security number • Birth certificates of all family members to prove ages • Military discharge papers • Veteran’s administration claim number • Automobile registration Obtain copies of these papers: • Death certificate (may need 2-15 copies from funeral director to claim insurance, social security and veterans benefits) • Birth certificate • Social Security card • Marriage certificate Contact life insurance agents: 8 • Re-record deeds to real property* • Disperse estate assets such as stocks, bonds, savings account, business assets* • Write a will for you and update your will • Advise you • *some choose to do this themselves Contact your nearest Social Security Office to apply for spouse and dependent benefits. Bring the following information: • Certified copies of Death certificate • Deceased’s Social Security Number • Proof of age of deceased • Marriage certificate • Approximate earnings of deceased in year of death • Deceased employer name • Record of deceased earnings in year prior to death (use W-2 forms or self-employment tax return) • Social security number of spouse and 2 3 Contact clergy, if including in service: • Specify when family will arrive • Plan service including hymns and poems • Provide biographical information • Ask clergy’s choice for time of service Locate cash to take care of immediate needs. Sources of cash include: • Cash on hand • Checking accounts or savings accounts • Money market certificates • File a claim using death certificate or attending physicians statement for proof of death • Supply information including policy numbers and amounts. Full name and address of deceased, deceased’s occupation and date last worked, date and place of birth, date, place, and cause of death, claimants name age, address and social security number Your settlement options general are: • Lump sum: you may immediately be paid a lump sum dependent children • Proof of age of spouse and dependents (birth certificate, baptism certificate or grade school records if no birth certificate Note: Railroad worker benefits are available to the beneficiary rather than social security benefits, if the person was employed more than 10 years. For veteran’s benefits, you should contact the VA office and take along service discharge papers, serial number, branch and dates of service. Also, the death certificate, marriage certificate and birth certificates of dependent children.