A Checklist for When a Spouse or Parent Passes
当你失去配偶、伴侣或父母时，悲伤可能会压倒一切. In the midst of that grief, life goes on. There are arrangements to be made, 需要照顾的事情——并认识到这一现实, here is a checklist that you may find useful at such a time.
First, gather documents. Ask for help from other family members if you need it. Start by gathering the following.
- A will, a trust, or other estate documents. 如果这些都不存在，那么在处理该人的遗产时，你可能会面临更长的法律程序.
- A Social Security card/number. 一般来说，这个人的社会安全号码将在死后不久退休. 如果你不确定，可以考虑向社会保障局查询.
Then, gather these additional highly important items.
- Any account statements
- Deeds/titles to real estate
- Car titles or lease agreements
- Storage space keys/account records
- Any bills due or records of credit card statements
- Any social media platform information, if applicable
最后，但并非最不重要的是，寻找有数字账户密码的计算机文件或打印件. Prior to their loved one’s passing, 一些家庭成员可能会试图集中所有这些信息或说明在哪里可以找到这些信息.
In addition, see if the person left a letter of instructions. A letter of instructions is not a legal document; it’s a letter that provides additional and more-personal information regarding an estate. It can be addressed to whomever you choose, but typically, letters of instructions are directed to the executor, family members, or beneficiaries.
Next, take care of some immediate needs. One, contact a funeral home to arrange a viewing, cremation, or burial, in accordance with the wishes of the deceased.
Two, call or email the county clerk or recorder to request 10 to 12 death certificates; a funeral home director can often help you with this matter. (Counties usually charge a small fee for each copy issued.) Ten to 12 copies may seem excessive, 但在与保险公司和各种金融机构合作时，你可能需要这么多钱.
Three, if the person was still working, 联系你爱人工作场所的人力资源主管，告诉他们发生了什么. 人事官可能需要你填写一些有关退休计划的文件, health benefits, and compensation for unused vacation time.
Four, 考虑和律师谈谈——这可能是帮助你所爱的人制定遗嘱或遗产计划的律师. Should your loved one die without a will, 你可能想联系一位律师，了解一下遗嘱认证过程是如何运作的，看看如果你所爱的人有任何未偿债务，你可能要承担多大程度的责任.
第五，决心跟踪你所爱的人设置为自动转账的任何经常性债务. 考虑把这些债务的每月账单写在你的名下(或其他家庭成员或遗嘱执行人)。.
通知债权人和信用卡公司，你所爱的人的信用记录的一部分. Creditors may want to know when existing debts will be paid, either by you or your loved one’s estate. 你也可以通知“三大”信用机构——益百利, Equifax, and TransUnion – of their passing, which can usually be done online, over the phone, or by letter.
按照这些步骤，处理金融、保险和信贷问题. 投资和退休计划账户和保险政策应该有受益人, 因此，请向帮助过你所爱的人的金融和保险专业人士以及监督他们工作场所退休计划的人寻求帮助. 与这些专业人士交谈，了解继承这些资产可能带来的税务影响.
你还需要为你所爱的人缴纳州税和联邦税, and possibly, other taxes for the year of their death.
Remember, 本文仅供参考，不能替代现实生活中的建议, so make sure to consult your tax, legal, 在修改你的任何税务或遗产策略之前.
如果你爱的人拥有一个小企业或专业实践, 与业务伙伴(和客户)进行讨论可能是必要的，也可能需要咨询为该业务提供建议的律师.
Look after your future. 解决其中的几个问题可能有助于结束你所爱的人的遗产.
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