DONALD T. WIGHT
ATTORNEY AT LAW
43417 Fassano Court, Temecula, CA 92592
Telephone: (951) 303-2020 Fax: (951) 303-2019
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Please consult my office at your earliest convenience. Handling the affairs of a deceased loved one involves complicated legal issues and procedures. Seeking the assistance of an experienced attorney will help avoid future problems and make the process as easy as possible.
Initial Steps for Handling the Final Affairs of a Loved One
Initial Steps
Notify family, friends, church & coworkers
Notify doctor
Make funeral arrangements
Order Death Certificates (10-15 original copies).
Contact Attorney – Locate and bring the following to the appointment
Wills, trusts and estate planning materials
Names and addresses of all heirs, beneficiaries & next of kin
Death Certificates (originals)
Copies of recent account statements for all banks, investment account and retirement accounts
At Decedent’s home:
Locate house keys and car keys; secure house and car.
Set up an answering machine to screen calls and take messages.
Arrange care of pets, if any (check for possible instructions).
Take care of perishables, clean out the refrigerator & empty the trash.
Collect mail and arrange for mail to be forwarded to someone.
Arrange for yard maintenance and water indoor plants.
Cancel newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
Inform the neighbors.
Dispose of prescription medications.
Notify credit card and credit reporting companies:
Personal Credit Cards
Experian, 888-397-3742, P.O. Box 9701, Allen, Texas 75013
Equifax, 800-525-6285, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, Georgia 30348.
TransUnion, 800-680-7289, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, California 92834.
Notify government agencies and other parties:
Landlord, terminate lease
Gym memberships, clubs, etc with automatic payments from accounts established
Social Security Administration, 800-772-1213 (everyone).
Veteran’s Administration (if decedent was formerly in the military).
Defense Finance and Accounting Service, 800-269-5170 (military service retireereceiving benefits).
Office of Personnel Management, 888-767-6738 (if decedent is a retired or formerfederal civil service employee).
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, 800-375-5283 (if decedent was not aU.S. citizen)
Department of Motor Vehicles (if decedent had a driver’s license or stateID).
Wait Until Later to Notify the Following
- Health insurance company
- Mortgage company – make provisions to continue to pay mortgage
- Homeowners and vehicle insurance companies
Insurance Policies
Homeowner’s Insurance - Ensure policy is kept current and paid
Auto Insurance - Ensure policies are maintained
Health Insurance – Do not cancel until all claims are processed
Life Insurance – Provide copy of policy to attorney, review beneficiaries
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Inventory Estate Assets – provide a copy of account statements to attorney.
THE ATTORNEY WILL REQUIRE A COPY OF ACCOUNTS STATEMENTS WHICH COVER THE DATE OF DEATH
Bank & Credit Union accounts
Retirement accounts (IRA’s 401k’s etc)
Mutual funds, brokerage and investment accounts
Life insurance policies
Pension
Inventory and Pay Estate Debts
KEEP ALL RECEIPTS
Funeral expenses
Medical bills
Final utilities
Credit card
Mortgage – make arrangements to continue paying any mortgage to avoid foreclosure
Insurance bills – maintain home and auto insurance policies in effect
Keep family and beneficiaries informed
Funeral arrangements
Information about the will and trust
Progress of administering estate
Timelines for distribution of estate
Things not to do
- Don’t distribute any assets to beneficiaries or heirs until consulting an attorney!
- Don’t allow family members to grab and go with the decedent’s property!
- Don’t comingle decedent’s assets with your own!
- Don’t use decedent’s assets for your own use!
Things to do
- Consult an attorney!
- Keep good records and receipts!
- Keep bank account open which was used for social security and/or pension direct deposits (adjustments may need to be made)
D W
Donald T. Wight, Attorney and Counselor at Law
(951) 303-2020
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