Loss of a loved one is a painful experience, whether the death is expected or unexpected. During the grieving process, it is hard to focus on what needs to be done to wrap-up a loved one’s affairs. The following is a list of things to consider during this time:

1.         Take time to mourn the loss.

2.         Inform family and friends.

3.         Make funeral/memorial arrangements.

4.         Prepare an obituary and submit it to the local paper.

5.         Make arrangements for the care of the deceased person’s pets.

6.         If the person lived alone, stop all periodical subscriptions and home delivery services.

7.         Contact the Social Security Administration and the Veteran’s Administration (if applicable) to notify them of the death.

8.         Contact credit card companies to cancel all of the deceased person’s credit cards.

9.         Prepare a change of address card to direct the deceased person’s mail to the person who will be administering the estate.

10.       Locate the original estate planning documents and other important papers.

11.       Look at the deceased person’s Advance Health Care Directive to see if there are any instructions regarding the disposition of his or her bodily remains.

12.       Order certified death certificates.

13.       Contact the estate planning attorney to get advice on administering the estate.

14.       Do not sell, transfer or make arrangements to sell or transfer any of the deceased person’s assets until you have talked with the estate planning attorney.

15.       Secure all of the deceased person’s valuables so that they are safe pending the administration of the estate.

16.       Place a notice on all of the deceased person’s social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc.) stating that he or she has passed away and information about the funeral/memorial service.

It may seem like there is too much to handle alone. So, contact your estate planning attorney who will guide and assist you with these tasks.

If you would like to discuss this or other trusts and estates issues, please contact the attorneys at Drucker Law Offices, 468 North Camden Drive, 2nd Floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310.285.5375 Tel, 310.444.9754 Fax, www.druckerlaw.com