Losing a loved one is never easy. No matter the circumstances, going through the process of grieving a loved one is one of the hardest things we go through in life. Grieving a loved one just after losing them is arguably the most difficult part. This isn’t the time when you want to be making decisions, especially ones that can be costly. You may not even know where to begin after losing a loved one. Below are some of the first steps to take when a loved one passes away.
What To Do After a Loved One Passes Away
Take Time to Grieve
You may be too overwhelmed to make sound decisions. Don’t be ashamed of your feelings, seek help in the ways that are most beneficial to you. Delegate tasks and talk to your loved ones about what you need. Maybe being productive helps you, in this case you could begin to make a list of tasks and who will be responsible for completing them. Everyone grieves differently, do what feels right for you.
Take Care of the Details
There are so many small things to be taken care of when someone passes that it can seem overwhelming, especially while grieving. The first objective should be to obtain the death certificate, as this will be the first thing you need to start making arrangements. This is needed to really move forward with any plans for a funeral or memorial and to take care of your loved one’s remains. During this time you could also focus on writing the obituary and making a list of who needs to be notified. Make sure to contact the deceased’s lawyer and the appointed executor as well, if it’s someone other than yourself.
Take Care of the Finances
If you are the executor of your loved one’s estate, the financial administration of the estate is arguably the largest portion of your responsibilities. Begin by contacting the deceased’s attorney to go over any estate plans that are in place to begin administering the estate. As you work your way through their estate plan, also look at their current finances to cancel any unnecessary accounts, pay off debts, or cash in insurance policies.
This time can be so overwhelming both emotionally and with everything that needs to be done. We’re always here to help guide you through the process when it comes to estate administration. Let us know how we can help. If you’re in Illinois or Wisconsin, contact us today and let us set you up for success when it comes to your estate plan or help with a loved one’s plan.
Sign up for our newsletter to receive business updates and estate planning tips right to your inbox!
Like us on Facebook to keep up with new blog posts and daily tips!
Disclaimer: This article is intended to serve as a general summary of the issues outlined therein. While this article may include general guidance, it is not intended as, nor is a substitute for, qualified legal advice. Your review or receipt of this article by Lexern Law Offices, Ltd. (the “LLG”) or any of its attorneys does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the LLG. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors of the article and does not reflect the opinion of the LLG.