Close out and transfer money from bank and investment accounts

You will need to fund the estate account with all of the deceased person's accounts. You will want to add all of the funds besides "payable on death" and joint tenancy accounts to the estate account.

finance, legal, settling affairsJennifer GoodNovember 20, 2019finance, legal, estate account, financial and propertyComment

Find a lawyer to double check probate will be avoided

planning, settling affairsJennifer GoodNovember 8, 2019planning, legal, probate, financial and property, medical and legalComment

Figure out how debt will impact surviving loved ones

In many cases, the surviving loved ones are not obligated to pay your debt when you pass.

planning, settling affairsJennifer GoodNovember 8, 2019probate, legal, finance, planning, financial and propertyComment

Add a loved one to all valuable property and financial accounts to avoid probate

Add a joint owner or transfer on death to each bank and investment account and asset (e.g., car, real estate, business) to avoid probate.

Figure out which debts you have to pay and in which order

Which debts the estate needs to pay, and in which order, depend on the state and whether the estate has more money than is owed or not. You are likely not personally liable.

finance, legal, settling affairsJennifer GoodOctober 3, 2019finance, legal, financial and propertyComment

Publish an obituary and social media tribute

Publishing an obituary is one of the five most important things you can do after a loved one dies. In addition to providing an outlet for mourning, it can help add meaning to the process of grief and bring together friends and family of the deceased for a memorial/funeral service.