Steps to Take When Losing a Loved One
Losing a loved one can be one of the most difficult periods we can possibly go through.
You may want to honour the wishes of your loved one but may not know exactly what you need to do to finalize his or her estate.
Below are some steps and documents to consider to help you through this process.
Steps
Notify a lawyer or the personal representative of your loved one’s estate
Search for a will/codicil/trust which your loved one may have prepared prior to his/her passing
Notify any insurance companies in the case where your loved one held an insurance policy
Notify any banking or financial institutions where these deceased held accounts
Make list of your loved one's assets (real estate, cash & cash equivalents, investments, motor vehicles, jewellery, antiques & collectibles, equipment, furniture, digital assets, intellectual property, etc.)
Make list of your loved one's debts (personal loans, credit card debt, mortgage loans, outstanding bills, etc.)
Documents to Gather
Certified Death Certificate of the deceased
Original Will/Codicil/Trust
List of All Beneficiaries
Insurance Policies and supporting documentation
Title Deeds
Inventory of All Assets
Inventory of Outstanding Bills/Loans
At the Law Office of Lyngeolle Morris we are committed to providing you with personalized legal counsel while you are trying to cope with the grief of your loved one’s death. When you have questions, contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss how we can meet your legal needs at this time.