After a loved one dies –
Losing a loved one is very hard; often just coping with the loss is as much as the family can handle.
At the same time, there is so much to do. Friends and relatives to contact. A funeral to arrange. Obituaries to write. Visitors to host.
And even after all that, the work isn’t over. The estate still needs to be settled.
When a loved one dies, there are many open loops that need to be closed. Some need to be addressed right away. Some can wait. But they all need to be identified and dealt with.
This process usually takes at least a year, most often takes two to three years, and in extreme cases can take half a dozen or more. The tasks are varied, complex, and full of pitfalls, and they require a lot of time and attention. Very often, those left behind don’t know what to do or how to do it. And they still have their own jobs to keep, bills to pay, homes to maintain, and children to raise.
The rest of life doesn’t wait.
Settling a loved one’s estate is a heavy burden. But the right help can really lighten the load. And that’s what I do. I identify the open loops, I organize them, and I close them properly. So you don’t have to.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT
SETTLING AN ESTATE?
Here are some of the specific loops that need closing after someone dies:
- Terminating Social Security benefits and arranging for surviving spouse benefits.
- Terminating Medicare and other health insurance.
- Making life insurance claims.
- Getting the will allowed and the personal representative (executor) appointed.
- The probate process, including notices, an Inventory, and an Account.
- Probate to deal with assets in other states.
- Gathering assets.
- Paying debts.
- Closing bank and credit card accounts.
- Maintaining and dividing tangible personal property.
- Maintaining real estate, paying the taxes, and keeping it insured.
- Clearing title to real estate.
- Selling real estate.
- Transferring retirement accounts.
- Estate and gift tax returns.
- Individual, estate, and trust income tax returns.
- Trust funding and administration.
- Beneficiary distributions.
I guide families as they navigate the important process of closing these loops. If you’ve lost a loved one, I can guide your family as well.
