Have you recently lost a loved one and feel overwhelmed by the many questions about what needs to happen next? Estate and trust administration can be complex, with numerous tasks to complete and deadlines to meet. A checklist can help provide clarity and organization during this challenging time. From locating the will and notifying beneficiaries to managing debts, taxes, and the distribution of assets, having a clear guide ensures nothing is overlooked.

 

There is no substitute for obtaining the advice of an attorney in these situations; however, this general checklist will provide you with some direction during this time of grief. At Provision Law Firm, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

 
Social Security
Notify Social Security of the death. If you are a spouse, or if you have minor children at home, check to see if any of you are eligible for benefits.

 
Military
If the deceased was a member of the military, notify them of the death and check for possible death benefits.

 
Death Certificate

Order copies of the death certificate. The funeral director may do this for you. You will need them to transfer bank and other financial accounts, as well as to send to insurers and others who may be holding assets or benefits payable to the estate.

 
Insurance/Pension

Notify all insurance companies and pension/retirement companies

Social Services

Inform Social Services or other entitlement/welfare programs

 
Banks

Notify banks and other institutions where the deceased had loans, checking and savings accounts.

 
Vehicles

Change car or recreational vehicle titles by contacting the motor vehicle registration office.

 
Mail

Have all mail forwarded to you.

 
Employers

Notify the employer and all former employers of the deceased; check out possible pension benefits.

 
Bills

If a credit card or other charge account of the deceased was in the names of both of you, you are liable for the bills. Remove the deceased’s name from the account if you wish to continue using it; close the account if you don’t want to use it. If the account was in the deceased’s name only, close the account; you may not be responsible for these bills. In Minnesota, a spouse is responsible only for the “family necessary” bills, including medical bills on the account of a deceased spouse.

 
Real Estate

Remove the deceased’s name from any jointly owned real estate. File the necessary documents with the County Recorder’s Office.

 
Probate/Will/Trust

If the deceased owned real estate or probate assets in excess of $75,000, the personal representative named in the will should contact a probate attorney for assistance. If no will was found, an heir of the decedent should contact a probate attorney. If the decedent had a trust, the successor trustee should contact an attorney for assistance on trust administration.

 
Double Indemnities

Check for double indemnities. If the deceased died in an accidental death, his or her estate might be eligible to collect above and beyond the standard life insurance benefit if the policy carried an accidental death clause. The deceased also may have carried additional accident insurance if he or she purchased airline tickets on a major credit card or was a member of an author or travel club.

 
Utilities

Cancel all utilities not required for real estate maintenance (i.e. – cable, internet). Maintain electric, gas, water/sewer and garbage for all read estate parcels owned solely by the decedent.

 
Real Estate Insurance

Secure all real estate and make sure real property is properly insured (home, cabin, condo, townhouse, real estate in different states, timeshare, rentals).

 
Medical Insurance

Cancel insurance policies for dental, medical and vision.