1. Certified copies of Death Certificates 2. Notify Social Security 3. Notify other govt entities like VA, USCIS, etc 4. Medicare Advantage Plan/Prescriptions plans 5. Job HR (pension, 401K, PTO) 6. Health insurance from job or other or supplemental / effects depends covered 7. Life Insurance 8. Contact Insurance companies like homeowners, car, long-term, etc 9. Make list of debts/bills 10. Inventory of assets 11. Contact credit card companies 12. Contact credit firms 13. State dept of motor vehicle to cancel driver’s license 14. Close emails or website acct 15. Cancel memberships 16. Prepare tax return 17. Contact estate attorney
Let me tell you the trouble of contacting the bank right away…I went in with the Death Certificate to close my husbands business account. Luckily there wasn’t much money in there because before I notified them, I had taken money out. They immediately put a suspension on the account and said that in order for me to access any of the money, I also had to get an Affidavit from a lawyer or courthouse. They didn’t even tell me what the Affidavit was suppose to say. They then locked up any on-line information I could get from any of my 4 accounts there. Even my personal account which had my husbands name on it also. I thought this was terrible! Life was hard enough at that moment without the added stress of wondering where I was financially. I wanted to be calm and nice but direct. The manager started giving excuses of why they wrongfully did that. I told her that I should have been informed of their policy, as every person who has lost a loved one, before I left the bank that day instead of finding my accounts locked up when I got home. When she kept giving excuses, that’s when I got heated. No widow or widower should have to go through that! She finally apologized. This shows me that I WILL NOT be putting my husband Life Insurance money in that bank. Maybe it was a sign.
1) order death certificates 15-20 2) notify Social Security to stop payments 3) Veterans could have benefits-contact Veterans 4) Medicare - contact and cancel 5) Employment Benefits- former employer 6) Notify health insurance 7) Notify life insurance 8) Contact other insurance companies Car, Home, etc 9) Outstanding debts, bills, make a list 10) Inventory estate of deceased 11) Close credit card accounts 12) Contact credit reporting equifax, experian, and Trans Union 13) Cancel driver’s license 14) Close email and website accounts and social media (PayPal, eBay, Amazon) 15) Cancel memberships and clubs 16) Contact CPA to prepare individual and estate Tax returns 17) Contact an estate attorney to handle legal issues So helpful! Thank you!
When my husband died 5 years ago, I did all of this out of common sense. I probated the will myself also. All I needed was the short form and an original DC to transfer assets into my name like his union annuity and a Traditional IRA that I took possession of, because it's a traditional IRA I don't have to collect RMD's, I can let it ride until I'm 70 1/2 before I have to start withdrawing from it. I taught myself all of the info by researching and googling it. Thanks for your info .
It may have been common sense for you. But, others might be in such an emotional daze, so that having steps clearing stated in detail and in writing is a giant help.
Just want to stop by and say thank you for taking the time to do this for people. What a generous thing to do. It's so helpful. I transcribed everything down and printed it for my family in case i die before them. And I wrote down all the phone numbers they need to get through each item. I really appreciate you and if i lived in your state i would definitely seek your counsel just bc of your thoughtfulness in helping others. Take care and thanks again.
Regarding email & cell phone... you may need these to be able to access accounts (bank, credit card, etc) to pull statements. Once accounts are closed, the institution will send past statements for a fee, so grab what you can now while free.
Don’t ever close SM or email That’s just not needed Close cell phn after u get info, yes. Every acct, don’t notify of death or close till ur ready to let go of it. U will be locked right out.
This video was extremely helpful. I live in NJ and now that we've had my father's memorial mass we have to get to take these steps and while daunting, your video made it digestible. Thank you.
Great video, as a matter of fact it’s one of the most comprehensive ,complete ,easy to learn from and understand videos of these kind that I have seen, thank you sir I really appreciate it👍
Thank you for sharing this information. You don't realize how much work there this to do when someone passes away. This is a great tool to have, at least this puts you in the right direction on where to start. Again, thank you
Thank you so much Mr. Stanton for this very helpful thorough video to help jump start the process. I am very grateful. We are dealing with an estate in a different state. Otherwise we would contact you.
I'd pump the brakes on closing an email account, at least right away. Especially now in 2022, one's email account is the gateway to their online presence. If you close an email account, you all but lose the ability to easily recover online accounts in which you do not know the password. i.e. Months later you realize a loved one has a Facebook account that you do not know the password to. In order to easily close the Facebook account, you'd need to reset the password via that loved one's email account. Wouldn't be surprised if many websites have an alternative method to do this without access to the email account, but surely it would be much more of a hassle. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the video it was very informative. A friend passed away and may have listed me as a "pay on death beneficiary" on his account. I submitted all of the necessary information to the bank, but they informed me that the account was frozen. They won't tell me why it was frozen. They won't even confirm whether or not I'm a beneficiary. They are now telling me that I need to get a court order to release the funds. This is a credit union in San Diego, CA. I live in Colorado. I don't know where to begin.
This can be overwhelming for a surviving spouse to take care of. Hopefully, you can ask for help taking care of things mentioned in video from a family member, friend or even your pastor. Sounds to me like a lot and things that I wouldn't even think of that would need my attention. Thanks for informative video.
It truly IS a lot to handle. So, getting the information gathered in one spot in advance can really make the task easier for the person who will take it on (whether surviving spouse, family member, etc.) We were super blessed when our Mom passed that she had done this. She was also able to give instructions while she was still with us to make sure we had everything prepared according to her wishes. One hint: When emptying closets, do check pockets and lapels. Our Mom left jeweled pins on her sweaters/coats and she left cash in her pockets habitually.
Thanks Chris, I feel I'll be going through all this with in the next year, that's why I'm here. If I need you I'll contact you. You've certainly given me a lot to think about and prepare for. Thanks for sharing. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya
Some states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey have an Inheritance Tax in addition to an Estate and Income Tax. In Pennsylvania it is 4.6% of net asset value on date of death.
Recently I am thinking about death and getting prepared for it to make life easy for my girls! AND I saw your video which is very thoughtful and through to walk thro many issues to be taken care of. Appreciate your guidance sincerely.
Thank you for this very helpful and informative video. I have been handling my aunt's affairs after she passed. I thought I was crossing my T's and dotting my I's until I watched this. I didn't contact the credit agencies, cancel her non-driver's license or her gym membership. I will do those things ASAP.
Her ID? U don’t cancel an ID And a license was only good for her. The gym membership would be a courtesy - unless they debit her bank acct! Credit agencies don’t need to know, she doesn’t care about her credit lol
The life insurance companies I talked to when my dad passed would not discuss much of anything unless you were the beneficiary. I was not and they would not even tell me what the policy was worth or even the beneficiary even though I knew it was my sister.
They can't Ma'am ,the Bennie or who's name is on that item is the only one they are Directed to give info to and then hopefully they should give it to you in black and white in proper order ,IE full proof signed with the seals and delivered that's yours .certified by the probate court , done .
You can not believe how difficult it is under the physical stress of grief. Ins, 401k, investments, etc all want passwords, SS, death cert. before they will even talk to you. Some send a “packet” with a list of their requirements & forms to fill out. Some must be signed & notarized. It just goes on & on. You will be on hold for hours. The scammers are out too so be careful. Two scammers tried to add themselves as beneficiaries on our insurance. One even changed our online password.
Just one is sufficient; they'll notify the other two. This way you use only 1 death certificate instead of three. Be sure to request a final report be sent - it lists all reported loans & credit cards and estimated balances.
I learned when my grandfather died that push off, ANY CREDITORS for 6MONTHS (DO NOT TELL THEM they DIED THOUGH) bc THEY CANNOT FILE CLAIM on an ESTATE AFTER 6 MONTHS!!!
Why would you not want to pay his dept? So dishonest This is why America is like it is today...so many greedy dishonest people want everything for themselves for the cost..nothing! I will also add that for NC,once you start probate and run the ad notice of the deceased in the newspaper. (Only once) after 30 days...they cant collect anyway. I could be incorrect but I'm close to correct. Thank you for Shari g your videos. This takes alot of time and hard work.
Funny she should be so quick to degrade someone for not paying off a deceased loved ones debt. WHY NOT? BECAUSE it doesn't make sense. Duhhhhh Wonder if she thought to ever question does the government pay off their debt. No because they have the enslaved citizens do it. SMH WE THE PEOPLE ARE THE DEBTORS FOR US DEBTS, Paying off debts with our servitude, labor, and taxes. Wake Up AMERICANS
@@unapologeticallymeasistaha7820 ty for commenting I was just responding 2 let ppl know that just bc many ppl don't know that they DON'T have 2 pay it!!! I didn't have $$ when my mom died 2 pay her debts nor should I have too
I’m in Ohio and me and my husband lost our dads a month apart( June & July ) and it’s been hard just getting things started and knowing what’s going to happen my dad had a will however the executor isn’t keeping in contact or communicating since my dad passed. Husbands dad was over seas on temporary visit and passed away in Philippines and we still haven’t gotten him back to US to start that process.
Do you need to contact the holder of an IRA sooner than later? Regarding #12 I opened lifelock accounts for each of my elderly parents. That account alerts you for a couple of years. #14 you can delete those credit cards from the website profile section
I started a Death File decades ago Young widowed mom, so my friends would have been left to deal with stuff. A nonfamily was my executor. I had letters explaining what I wanted to some ppl. Nothing can be certain becuz after death anyone can bring dispute cases. I could try tho. Guardians are so n so, not gma n gpa. U do what u can. And u DO need to get over to SS office the day after funeral Take friends to help u if needed It takes so long to get this money coming in! Get on it! It was CRUCIAL for us. No wealthy family to support us in the interim.
@@dialecticalmonist3405 you'd be surprised how many you will need..usually you get a certain number free and then have to pay for more..my mom had to go back for more...
@@nancysexton545 I would say 25 death certificates. You would be surprised how many places demand an original death certificate, including utility companies.
The funeral home will also get you to sign over the social security death benefit on their forms to them. It's only $255 but, it doesn't belong to the funeral home and you won't see it deducted on the form as part of your payment to them. I know this because the funeral home stole it that way when we buried our father and we didn't learn about it until a couple of years later. The funeral home takes advantage of your grief to their benefit. BE CAREFUL!
Does Social Security also require a death certificate? What a joke. The death certificate business sounds like yet another scam. Only another $200, because "why not?". People are desperate, confused, and have no choice. The vultures make a killing on the dead.
@@rosemarie20 I am sorry for your loss. Please know that not all Funeral Homes are like the one you used. I might suggest your eddit your post . Please...
@@fredziffle5219next time just cancel service online Done Or if have to call n say ur him, cancel it No need to talk about the death Simply cancel it n pay balance
If you have a relative without much assets, and just some cash, furniture, a care...you needn't do a damn thing other than the disposition of the remains. In some cases, if you donate to science or cremate - you are looking at no more than zero to $500. This assumes a vehicle, or two, have been titled in more than one name so that vehicle can be retained or sold if so desired. Regarding debts. Many people have no debts, and especially the elderly. No one is responsible for the debts of a relative unless you owned assets jointly. If a person has sizable assets, a Living Trust may be useful, and a pour-over Will. Homes can be gifted up to a certain value. Watch out for the pharmaceutical-medical industries. They aggressively look for money to pay their bills. Thus, if person elderly, you want them to be as poor as possible at time of death.
I’ve never had to deal with the process of funeral or any type of Will or probate never herd of the stuff prior to my recent and current experience and I don’t want anyone to take my parents items ( both mom and dad of mine are passed )
Can you add the 17 steps to the 105 NICER complete Administrations steps. They’ll probably be duplicates in the acceptable use policy in April if it’s approved by NICER 837PC AUP?
All the credit card companies I called turned around and wanted someone to pay the debt or they would sue the estate. I would only do this again once you speak with a attorney because you will be needing one soon if the deceased owed a lot of money.
Don’t call credit companies or bureaus Cut up cards Call to close accounts or credit lines, pretend your the dead person or even better-do online If estate has to pay, it has to pay 🤷🏼♀️ Prob won’t be enough $ to pay debts tho. Most ppl live way above their means and have few assets.
What steps do we take when the relative dies in the house? Do we call the police, paramedics or funeral home? Who picks up the body? Do we take the body to the coroner or does someone come to pick it up? I need instructions for steps to take from the moment of death.
Bill Bundle I think one would call the local Police Dept first, they will contact the Coroner's Office to remove the body. I experienced this. Hope that little helps.
We had my mom under hospice care & when she passed I called the hospice company & they handled everything. They came to the house immediately,pronounced her dead & called to have her body to be picked up & taken to the funeral home.
If they’re not on hospice u have to call 911. If there’s no DNR, they have to try resuscitating and take to ER. If on hospice, u just call funeral home to come get body. They verify DNR is present. Or call hospice and they will call funeral home. DNR - do not resuscitate Has to be signed by a dr while the person is in sound mind A long time ago (like 3 decades) u could just do hospice unofficially n have no DNR n call fun home once the person died. No more!
Hi.. I live in Tx.. my Mom and her boyfriend bought a house together.. they were together for 20 yrs before her boyfriend pass.. now.. recently before he pass my mom let his granddaughter move in cause of personal reasons.. ok.. 13 days after she moved in he passes away.. now she went to probate against my mom for the house.. now my mom has to hire a lawyer to get her house back.. so does the granddaughter have any rights to the house.. there is no where in the title shows her name.. so I can't understand why the court let her continue staying there.. my mom out the door.. if my mom's name is on the title..
she can go to the courts and have herself declared a common law wife. If they presented to the public as man and wife...Joint bank accounts/etc. Hope, she didn't move out.
I trusted my step mother, but when an account the bank transferred to my sister as for my fathers instruction to the bank it only had $90 in it. I am 100% sure my Step mother siphoned out at least $300k. I am now 18 months after my fathers death.
@@YeshuaKingMessiah No, that is now how inheritance works. Spouse is entitled to 50% and children to 50% unless there is a will. I am sure there was a will but she has it and didn't show anyone.
Most creditors, banks, etc will accept a copy of the certified death certificate. Social Security will accept a phone call. DISAGREE with this guy on canceling home owner insurance because IF there was Homeowners Insurance do not cancel the policy if there was/is a remaining mortgage, because the mortgage and mortgage lender requires the homeowner insurance continue coverage until the mortgage is paid off in full. Otherwise, tbe mortgage requirements can fall into a default in responsibility to KEEP the home insured. IF tbe mortgage is paid off already, then just transfer the coverage into tbe beneficiary of the home into your name, otherwise it might be difficult to insure, dont allow any gap in home owner insurance coverage. This guy fails to give good sound advice on this issue. Someone namely tbe executor of tbe Will, will have to continue filing tax returns for tbe deceased, tbe year last lived, so do file it that last year lived or else the IRS could place a tax lien on tbe accounts and property owned by tbe deceased. And depending on tbe last tax filing and time of year the person died it could mean filing for 2 years after a person dies if tbe person had an extension on that year of death, or failed to file that year. Hmmn. This guy isnt covering all this correctly with good advice.
Question about canceling an auto or general liability policy in the instance when the deceased was in an at-fault (or looking like it) accident just prior to (or maybe causing) death. The policy coverage is a function of the coverage on the date of the event and as long as coverage was in effect on that date, the policy is obliged to pay per contract stipulations even if canceled soon after the event, correct?
POA is way to go with elderly parents or infirm friend ur helping POAs have to use acct $ FOR the person, not them (unlike a joint acct) Once the person dies, the executor has access to the funds, eventually. Executor is often the POA but POA rights end immediately upon death.
Social security does not pay ahead, they pay for the month past regardless of what they tell us publicly. It is black letter illegal for them to stop your payments if that is your only income-they do so anyway. It is also illegal for them to hold that person responsible for overpayment. What they did to my mother was stop her payments and hold them until she signed an agreement allowing them to reduce her benefit to repay the overpayment; overpayments not supported by bank deposit records. At certain ages your benefits retroactively increase. They plan for these events.
What if I lived in CA he lived in alot of states and I don't know any of his connections and I am rep of estate , only child , and only heir I didn't get nothing from estate his wife lied and said he had no children I proved I was but I can't find nothing , trust, his house, his minerals , stocks, and more what can I do?
Was wondering my father passed away and he left my sister and I the beneficiary. I was wondering if we go down to get the IRA would we be able to get the money that same time day as when we are there to get the IRA
Unofficial tasks for the day maybe: secure the deceased person's home, turn off electrical items, move the trash to the trash bin in the garage, see to the care of pets and plants. Film all your activities from car thru tasks, relocking, and back to your car.
Of course it depends on the size of the estate. Some folks have many small accounts with differing banks and brokerages. In making a list of such assets, and asset holders, you get a good feel for everyone who will be wanting a death certificate. In listing other routine bills, you will know how many of them exist, too.
My father had a stroke in May, in Florida where he lived since 1989. He died in November. He NEVER left Florida, but I had all his mail sent to me in MD as I have to take care of everything. Because mail comes here, will I be required to file a MD state tax return for him or just Federal. FL has no state taxes. Thanks if anyone knows about this.
Unless u called 911 Then u wouldn’t need to call anyone if they die at hospital They will take corpse to ER if no DNR n have it pronounced dead Either way ur calling no one after the 911
All you have to do is show the death certificate for example the bank and they will make a copy and you, but the life insurance they need a copy of the death certificate.
What if my father had a law suit where he was sueing for discrimination? And sueing a trucking company from Nevada where a truck driver caused an accident? Also I was appointment over my fathers accounts he stated this verbally to everyone in our family and I had to sign a paper through the state to act for my dad and now everyone is and has mismanaged his accounts and sense my father passed these insurance and legal departments have mismanaged his accounts and hired 3ed party to destroy our home and family and has made me see and be deemed competent by 3 therapist. The 1st 5 years none of the bad things that took place made sense, then I enrolled in legal school and sense then have learned how insurance places can without insurance money because they don't contact the family. I was told all this that your talking about was cover in our funeral plans. I had to pay taxes for my fathers taxes on a large amount, I got garnished because of these, I have under gone the most sick and unspeakable data breach with zero legal help and compensation, they broke into my home, they stated lies to my employer, they caused me to suffer health illness, they caused home mortgages to be lost... what can I do to fight back and recieve my fathers inheritance?
