Losing a parent can be one of the most impactful events in life, and all the necessary tasks that come afterward can feel daunting. But with a little guidance, you can work through everything, one step at a time.
Here’s a timeline and list of tasks you’ll want to pay attention to:
Day One:
• Get a legal declaration of death. If at home, call 911 or hospice; if in a hospital, staff will do this.
• Contact a funeral home or mortuary to handle arrangements in accordance with your parent’s wishes.
• Arrange for the care of any dependents or pets as soon as possible.
Week One:
• Notify family and friends.
• Secure your parent’s home to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Remove perishables and garbage, but don’t rush to clear out the home too quickly or give away/sell assets without legal counsel.
• Arrange for mail to be collected and voice messages monitored.
• If your parent was in the military, contact the Veterans Administration to see if it offers burial benefits or funeral services (may include a military salute at the funeral or payment for a headstone).
• Arrange for the funeral or other final plans. Get help—ask relatives and friends to assist with writing an obituary, delivering eulogies, acting as pallbearers, planning the post-funeral gathering, writing thank-you notes, and so forth.
• Order 10-12 copies of the death certificate (needed to close accounts, file insurance and other beneficiary claims, etc.).
During the First Month:
• Gather documents, including the original Will and/or Trust, copies of bank and retirement account statements, recent income tax returns, loan documents, life insurance policies, and ongoing bills.
• Make an inventory of all assets and debts.
• Once you have the documents and inventory above, consult with an estate planning attorney to determine whether probate will be needed.
• Notify banks, credit card companies, and Social Security (call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office — this helps prevent identity theft).
• Notify credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — also reduces identity theft).
• Cancel subscriptions, deliveries, streaming services, AAA, gym memberships, and the like.
• Access safe deposit box, if any.
• Contact your parent’s employer about any retirement, profit-sharing, or other workplace savings plans, and find out how benefits are distributed. Under federal COBRA regulations, a surviving spouse or child may be able to continue coverage with an existing health insurance policy. If your parent has a surviving spouse aged 65 or older, they might be entitled to some Medicare benefits.
• If your parent will be buried in a cemetery, find out how the cemetery is maintained—some smaller, rural cemeteries depend on family members to maintain the grounds and graves.
During the First Three Months:
• If a probate is required, hire a reputable, experienced estate planning attorney who will get you officially appointed by the court as Executor or Administrator. You will work together with this attorney to administer the estate.
• Maintain and care for assets (pay taxes and ongoing bills, continue upkeep on house and yard maintenance until property is sold, etc.). You may want to consider holding an estate sale and cleaning/making repairs to the house to prepare it for a sale, if necessary.
• Pay off any debts using estate assets. Many creditors will accept a reduced settlement amount, so don’t be hesitant to negotiate. If you’re working with an attorney, they can help with this process.
• Contact and collect any life insurance policies, 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, or annuities. Ask the IRA if any Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) should be withdrawn. If you’re the beneficiary of the IRA, talk with your estate planning attorney or tax advisor to determine how best to proceed.
• Close bank accounts and other accounts.
• Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for Title and Registration change forms, transfer vehicle title(s), then cancel auto insurance policies.
• If your parent had frequent flyer/buyer points, contact companies and see if these can be transferred to a beneficiary or family member.
• Delete or memorialize social media accounts.
The death of a parent can be fraught with emotion, and the list of tasks in front of you, long. Try not to get overwhelmed. Give yourself the grace to process your feelings as the days and weeks pass, and consider reaching out for help.
For more than 30 years, the knowledgeable, compassionate attorneys at Erwin Law have been supporting clients through sensitive issues and difficult times. If you’re in need, call Elea Nielsen at 773-525-0153.
