Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Trust

When someone close to you passes away, the emotional weight of loss brings family and friends together for mutual support. Once you’ve found some emotional stability, you’ll need to begin handling the practical matters of settling the deceased person’s affairs.

The following checklist outlines key steps that you or the designated Personal Representative and Trustee should complete right away after a death occurs. (Similar steps may apply if someone becomes incapacitated.) This list covers immediate priorities rather than every possible task, serving as a guide to help representatives address urgent matters promptly.

1. First, if a surviving family member is alone, suggest they call a friend to stay with them for the next several hours. The shock of losing a relative can affect people in unexpected ways.
2. Contact a funeral director and religious leader to arrange services. If working with our clients, check the Portfolio’s “Location List” and “Estate Planning Letter” sections for contact information and any specific wishes the deceased expressed. Order multiple death certificates, as you’ll need them for the employer, insurance companies, and legal procedures.
3. Call immediate family, close friends, business associates, and the deceased’s employer to inform them of the passing. Our clients can find contact details in the Portfolio’s “Location List” section.
4. Make arrangements for family members who need support, including childcare and having someone present at the deceased’s home.
5. Begin gathering the deceased’s important documents. Our clients should refer to the Portfolio’s “Location List” section. Continue collecting paperwork over the coming weeks.
6. Schedule a meeting with our office or the attorney handling the estate matters. Book this appointment quickly since tax returns may be due within nine months of death. This meeting will cover estate planning documents and discuss state and federal death taxes. The attorney will also determine whether opening a probate estate is necessary or advisable. For incapacity situations, the attorney may recommend additional estate planning steps, particularly if death appears imminent.
7. Call the deceased’s employee benefits office with this information: full name, Social Security number, date of death or incapacity, whether it resulted from accident or illness, plus your name and address. This allows them to start processing benefits.
8. For Medicare recipients, contact the local program office with the same details listed above.
9. Alert life, accident, or disability insurance companies about the death or disability. Provide the information from Step 7 and ask what else they need to process your claim. Inquire about the payment option the deceased selected and whether you can choose a different option. Without a payment option on file, benefits typically come as a lump sum.
10. Visit the nearest Social Security office in person to report the death and apply for survivor benefits. You can find the office location in the phone book under U.S. Government listings.
11. For immediate financial needs before insurance payments arrive, ask about cash advances against life insurance benefits you’re entitled to receive.
12. Contact the Veterans’ Administration if the deceased served in the military, as surviving relatives might qualify for death or disability benefits.
13. Keep detailed records of all expenses you or the family incur. These records may be necessary for tax filings.
14. Be aware that surviving family members may be emotionally vulnerable. They should avoid signing contracts or spending or loaning significant amounts of money during this time. Our clients should review the Portfolio’s “Other Documents” section before taking further action.
15. Hold off on transferring ownership of any assets. Making title changes prematurely can cause complications. Contact our office for guidance before beginning this process.Retry