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Checklist for Family Members to Handle When a Loved One Has Passed in the Orlando, Florida Area

Your loved one has passed. You are dealing with the grief. On top of that, you now must deal with the financial aspects of your loved one’s estate. How do you do that? Attorney Shannon Miller of The Miller Law Firm in Gainesville, Florida has compiled a wonderful list that can help you out during this stressful time of grief. 

You should IMMEDIATELY handle all arrangements for final burial or cremation. You should obtain death certificates. An attorney can tell you what type of death certificate you must obtain depending on what financial institution you are dealing with. 

Next, locate the will. You may need to contact the personal representative or an attorney. You should notify the investment advisor or financial planner. 

Contact your loved one’s place of employment. 

Pay certain necessary bills that may be delinquent or due within a few days, such as utility bills, secured loans, and car payments. 

Request a credit report. 

WITHIN 30 DAYS, you should do the following:  keep a phone log of all business conversations, notify your loved one’s doctor’s offices, discontinue cable, internet, phone bills, etc. Notify insurance companies or insurance agent. Notify any Retirement Benefits. Notify Social Security. If the social security is direct deposit, notify the bank. 

Notify sources of any other pension benefits, such as: previous employers, worker’s compensation, and Veteran’s Affairs. 

Make claims to bank where joint accounts or Paid Upon Death accounts exist. If joint account was established for convenience, do NOT liquidate, any of those funds should be payable to the estate. 

CONSULT YOUR ATTORNEY TO DETERMINE IF AN ESTATE MUST BE OPENED AND/OR A NOTICE OF TRUST MUST BE FILED. 

WITHIN 60 TO 90 DAYS, you should close email, website, and social media accounts. 

Cancel any outstanding memberships, such as: gym, professional organizations, and subscriptions, such as magazines, newspaper, streaming services, etc.

Notify your stockbroker or investment specialist to change ownership and tax identification number on accounts. 

Notify your banks to change ownership and tax identification number, if necessary. Remember to leave one joint account open for at least one year to handle any payments or checks that may be deposited. Cancel any direct deposits if necessary. Change IRA accounts if necessary. 

Notify all other credit card companies. Inquire about credit life insurance coverage on unpaid balances. 

Real estate holdings held jointly. Record death certificate without cause of death and Florida Non-Taxable Certificate at the courthouse of the county of residence. File the Widowed Person’s Homestead Exemption. This is filed at County’s Tax Assessor’s Office. Transfer automobile registration. Take the death certificate to local DMV. 

WITHIN 6 MONTHS,  Cancel the driver’s license of the deceased. Review YOUR will and/or trust for updates with Estate Planning Attorney. 

OTHER ITEMS TO CONSIDER:  Notify accountant or tax preparer and collect all necessary documents. Notify the elections board in your loved one’s primary state of residence. Filing of taxes for estate.  

Do not throw anything away if you are unsure. Keep a joint savings or checking account open for at least one year. Save the daily newspaper that list stocks, bonds, and mutual funds for deceased date of death. 

If you have more questions regarding a Probate Administration  matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. at 407-732-7620 and set an initial consultation. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not form an attorney client privilege.