Legal Advice
When a person dies, there also comes the task of notifying not only family and friends, but various legal and business entities. As a guideline, the following institutions need to be contacted:
- Insurance companies
- Credit card companies
- State Department of Motor Vehicles
- Banking and financial institutions
- Stockbroker or financial advisor
- Social Security Administration
- If the deceased was a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs
When contacting, often the following paperwork will be needed as well:
- The will
- Birth certificate and certified copy of death certificate
- Marriage license
- Tax returns for the past five years (joint if married)
- Deceased most recent W-2 forms
- Record of any employee-related benefits
- Insurance policies
- Real estate-related documents
- Financial statements
- Stock certificates or current investment statements
- Car titles, registrations, loans, etc.
- Proof of veteran’s military service (DD214) if applicable
