| Guide to the Many Business, Legal and Financial Decisions that Come After a Death. |
Legal Information/Probating a Will
We suggest you obtain legal advice on the array of different
matters such as the disbursement or conservation of assets,
changing of property deeds and titles, the disposition of bank
accounts, stocks, bonds, and the disposition of any business assets.
If you loved one had a will it will need to be probated. Probate is
the legal procedure for the orderly distribution of assets. In most
cases, probating a will is a simple process. Only in the instances
where a will is being contested or the deceased had numerous holdings
will the action be more complex. There is usually a specified time
within which a will must be probated, so it is important to check
carefully. If there was no will, the estate will be disposed of
according to the state laws governing descent and distribution.
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Social Security
The family must call Social Security at (800) 772-1213 between
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., M-Friday, or call the Bellingham office at (360)
738-3952. The funeral home will notify the Social Security Department
with Form 721, but the family must call to stop any payments and to
determine any survivor benefits. A $255 lump sum burial allowance
may be eligible for a surviving spouse. You can access more information
via the website: http://www.ssa.gov
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Death Certificates
A certified copy of the death certificate is available through the health
department of the county where the death occurred. These are colored legal
documents with County Registrar's signature and the State seal. These copies
are usually required for legal purposes. Certified copies may be obtained
through our Funeral Home, or you may request them on your own at a later date
through the health department. The funeral home does not charge a fee for
acquiring these documents; we obtain the copies on your behalf as a service
to you. However, the County does charge $17.00 for each certified copy. Usually,
certified copies of the death certificate are required for insurance, insured
loans, stocks or bonds in joint ownership and for real property in joint ownership.
Some institutions may take a photocopy.
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Veterans’ Benefits
We can help you file for burial benefits and obtain a U.S. Flag for the next of
kin. We will also order your free military marker and in some cases cemetery
reimbursement. If the deceased was a Veteran, a benefit may be available depending
whether or not the death was from a service related cause. If the deceased was
receiving a Veteran's disability pension, contact the Department of Veteran's
Affairs or other local Government office dealing with Veteran's Affairs. Be sure
to give the deceased person's name, rank, serial number, branch of service and
discharge date if available. You can also call the VA Regional Office at (800)
827-1000.
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Insurance Policies
An original Death Certificate will likely be needed and copies of Birth and Marriage
Certificates may be necessary before claims can be made for Life Insurance proceeds.
Life Insurance Policies, even though premiums have not been paid for a number of
years, may still be in effect through an automatic agreement stated in the policy.
Check for coverage at the place of employment, health and accident coverage. Also
be sure to check with all credit card companies regarding possible policies on the
account. Call the agent for each or write to the headquarters for the appropriate
forms for claims. Make sure you keep a written log of who you spoke with and when
so that you can track the claims easier. For fire insurance, remove the name of
the deceased from the policies.
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Other Organizations
Contact any association, union, fraternal order, automobile club, or any other
organization that the deceased may have belonged to. They may provide a death benefit.
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Personal Property
Personal property held in joint ownership generally passes automatically by law
to the surviving owner. However, any fire or other property insurance policies
should be changed to the name of the surviving owner. Vehicles registered and
insured in the name of the deceased should be transferred into the estate as soon
as possible. The legal representative of the estate should make the transfer of
ownership.
Some loans, service contracts and credit card accounts are life insured, and are
paid up automatically when a client dies. Check with all companies where the
deceased had accounts payable. All bills must be paid on the due date. Review
all cancelled checks to determine whether or not a bill has been paid.
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Home and Real Property
Take a certified death certificate to the Tax Assessor's Office in the county
in which the property is owned.
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Banks
Be sure to notify banks of a death and transfer all money accounts to your name.
For Safety Deposit Box- If in joint ownership, remove the deceased's name.
If in name of deceased only, inquire with the bank as to what steps need to be taken.
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Stock and Bonds
Write to the stock company and ask about their procedure for transferring
stocks into your name, or check with your broker.
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Voter Registration
To cancel an individual's voter registration, write a cancellation notice
stating that the individual is deceased to the County Auditor’s Office.
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Workers' Compensation
If the deceased was receiving full pension from the Workers' Compensation
Board at the time of death, contact the local Board Office. The family
may be eligible for survivor's benefits.
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