In most of the following functions, a Death Certificate is required.
- Social Security- The first visit doesn't require an appointment. A time will be set for a 2nd visit when the determination will be made on a lump sum payment and the amount of monthly benefits, if any. At the time of this writing, a child receives benefits until age 18 or until graduates from high school. Surviving parent only gets benefits if the child is under the age of 16. Widows are only eligible for monthly benefits, if retirement age. There is a one time death benefit paid, a small sum of around $250.00 A Death Certificate is required.
- VA- If the deceased is a veteran, go to their office. They will take of the forms needed to collect the National Service Life Insurance. A Death Certificate is required.
- Banks-A Death Certificate is required to facilitate eliminating the deceased name from the bank accounts, CDs, ect. Do this quickly, so that any automatic payments will be honored as soon as arrangements are made with creditors.
- Medicare- Nothing needs to be done as Social Security takes care of this.
- Secondary Health Insurance- Send the Death Certificate for a refund on the deceased's policy.
- Car, Home, Personal Liability, Ect. Insurance- Must be converted to existing spouse's name. This can be done over the phone.
- Lawyer-The will of the deceased must be posted with the court, within 10 days. A new will for remaining spouse must be drawn to effect new beneficiaries and new power of attorney. If spouse died without a will you may need to apply to the court for paperwork proving that you are the Personal Representative of the Estate. You can contact the Probate Office of your county for assistance.
- County Clerk-For changing the name on property titles, must file Death Certificate with 3 years. Just go to the clerks office and file the Death Certificate. (May need Warranty deed to effect change in property title.)
- Investments-Each fund and company will have a slightly different procedure, but each will require certain things: a letter of instruction asking that the deceased name be removed and funds rolled over to existing spouse's name: a death certificate, IRA distribution forms. (all this assumes you are the beneficiary) There are service representatives who are patient and will to talk you through the difficulties. Hopefully, a financial advisor is already on board, if so they will be the best people to get help with all this. If you don't have a financial advisor and there are retirement accounts I recommend hiring one before you move any money, as there are taxes and penalties to be concerned with.
- Motor Vehicle-Need to take title plus registration and death certificate. If vehicles are in both names this is easy. If they were in the deceased name only it may require legal documentation of Personal Representative.
- Credit Cards, AAA, ARRP, All Co-Memberships-Must call to achieve name change and new cards. Each one is a different procedure, but not complicated.
- IRS-See an accountant, your accountant can also recommend financial advisors if needed.
- Life Insurance- Call for proper paperwork to collect insurance money. A Death Certificate is required.
Thanks to my friend, Connie, for this list. I would not have had any idea of what I was suppose to do with out it. I think that I may have everything on the list done. What a relief! I am still getting my finances in order and I am still dealing with doctor bills and insurance. I am hopeful that those will all be settled soon. I don't feel that I can truly move on until those things are in order.
