Losing a Family Member: Living Through the Legal Aftermath
Life is a fragile thing, and none of us are here forever.
Losing someone close to you can be devastating, and the months and even years that follow are often quite difficult. This difficult emotional journey can be made even more challenging due to the complicated legal decisions that often come with this kind of loss.
When someone leaves this existence, they leave behind a hole that requires filling in more ways than one. The complications of losing a family member require a lot of attention, and there’s a lot you may need to do to get things back in order.
What do you need to be aware of when dealing with the death of a family member? Read on, and we’ll walk you through what you need to know.
Initial Steps to Take
The immediate aftermath of a loved one passing away can be incredibly shocking and surreal. However, there are time-sensitive tasks that need to be accomplished during this difficult time.
First, you’ll need to ensure you have an official declaration of death, which will lead to an official death certificate. This certificate is a critical piece of paperwork. It is what will notify everything from the government to the insurance companies that your loved one has passed away.
A declaration of death can be given by any medical professional and will likely be automatically done if your loved one passed away in the care of doctors. If they passed away at home, you might need to contact medical services to procure one.
You’ll also need to begin the process of making funeral arrangements and plan out cremation or burial options.
Legal Aftermath of Losing a Family Member
Once these initial matters are settled, you can dive into potentially more complicated legal affairs.
If your loved one left a will behind, you’ll need to begin the process of executing it. The will should stipulate how they wanted their assets handled in the wake of their death.
One or more probate court lawyers will be needed to execute this last will and testament. These experienced professionals will make sure that the final debts of your loved ones are paid and that their assets are distributed according to their wishes.
An accountant may also need to be hired to help the deceased final their final tax return. Even beyond the grave, your loved one might owe some money to the federal government.
Last but not least, you’ll want to ensure all institutions that your loved one was a part of being notified of their death. This way, services can cease.
Concerns When a Loved One Passed Away
Losing a family member is a deeply difficult affair and one that needs to be handled with a light touch. Preparing yourself for the legal realities of this kind of loss ahead of time can be helpful. The above information is what you’ll need to know to get started.
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