| |
|
|
| |
|
| A Checklist: |
| |
 |
Call the funeral home you have selected.
If you have not chosen a funeral home ahead of time, the Texas
Funeral Directors Association can give you information on
funeral homes in your area and can be reached at 800-460-8332,
or ask a friend, family member, or clergy for a reference to a
local funeral home. |
|
| |
|
|
If your loved one was a veteran, you may
be able to get assistance with the funeral, burial plot, or
other benefits. For information on benefits call the Veterans
Administration at 800-827-1000. Also, the phone number for your
local Veterans Agency is usually listed under Town Offices. You
will need a copy of your loved one's discharge papers. |
|
| |
|
|
If your loved one was receiving Social Security
benefits, notify your local Social Security office of the
death, since these benefits will stop. Overpayments will result
in a difficult process of repayment. If you are a surviving
spouse, ask about your eligibility for increased benefits. Also,
check on benefits that any minor children may be entitled to
receive. |
|
| |
|
|
Contact the health insurance company or
employer regarding terminating coverage for the deceased
while continuing coverage for others covered through the policy. |
|
| |
|
|
Contact the insurance company for all
life insurance policies. You will need to provide the policy
number and a certified copy of the death certificate and fill
out a claim form. If the deceased is listed as the beneficiary
on any other policy, arrange to have the name removed. |
|
| |
|
|
If the deceased was working, contact the
employer for information on pension plans, credit unions and
union death benefits. You will need a certified copy of the
death certificate for each claim. |
|
| |
|
|
Return credit cards of the deceased with
a certified copy of the death certificate, or notify the credit
card company if you, as the survivor, want to retain use of the
card. |
|
| |
|
|
Seek the advice of an accountant or tax
advisor about filing the deceased's tax return for the year
of the death. Keep monthly bank statements on all individual and
joint accounts that show the account balance on the day of
death, since you will need this information for the estate tax
return. |
|
| |
|
|
Arrange to change any joint bank accounts
into your name. If the deceased's estate is in trust, check
with the Trust Department or Customer Service at the bank. |
|
| |
|
|
If the deceased owned a car, transfer the
automobile title into your name at the Secretary of State's
Office, or if the estate is probated, through Probate Court. |
|
| |
|
|
Make sure that important bills, such as
mortgage payments, continue to be paid. |
|
| |
| Documents you may
need to complete the tasks:: |
- Death Certificates (10 - 15 certified copies)
- Social Security Card
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Birth Certificate for each child, if applicable
- Insurance Policies
- Deed and Titles to Property
- Bank Books
- Honorable Discharge Papers for a Veteran and/or V.A. Claim
Number
- Recent Income Tax Forms and W-2 Forms
- Automobile Title and Registration Papers
- Loan and Installment Payment Books and/or Contracts
|
| |
|
