In this Column . . .

Who Are the Lawyers on Sawyer?
(contact information and email links)

And. . .Did You Know
- About the American Rule on Attorneys Fees?
- About the Unconstitutional and Unnecessary Proposed Special Events Permit for the City of Oshkosh?
- How Mediation and Arbitration Help and Hurt the Legal Process
- About Easements?

-$8,000 First Time Homebuyer's Tax Credit
-What To Do First When A Loved One Dies
-Home Improvement Laws


FYI - We will post relevant comments & corrections after reviewing them. Just click on the comment link.

Who Are the Lawyers on Sawyer?

Kindt Phillips Friedman & Fremgen, SC
141 N. Sawyer St.
Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54902

920-231-1500
www.oshkoshattorneys.com

Email a Lawyer on Sawyer

Chris Kindt
Andy Phillips
Ken Friedman


Sunday, April 19, 2009

Did You Know: What To Do First When a Loved One Dies

1. Comfort the Survivors

Comforting survivors is job #1. In addition to emotional support, check whether survivors have access to money for living expenses.

Surviving family members and dependents may need several thousand dollars – enough to last for the 60 to 90 days it may take for the personal representative or others have time to arrange for transfers from decedent's assets (if any). Sources of funds include survivor's individual bank accounts, retirement or other financial assets, joint accounts or credit cards, POD/TOD accounts and Trusts with surviving Trustees.

2. Help With or Make Final Arrangements

Helping make or confirm final arrangements is the second major priority. Organ donations may be indicated on driver's licenses, powers of attorney for healthcare or powers of disposition of final remains. Funeral and burial (or other disposition) wishes may be stated in a will or power of disposition. There may be a funeral trust. While final arrangements cost money, most providers are used to the idea that payment will be delayed for some weeks while survivors work out the details of administration of the decedent's estate. If you are approached for contribution to expenses, make sure you understand who, if anyone, has a responsibility to reimburse you and whether they have sufficient assets to do so.

3. Get Copies of the Death Certificate

The funeral home, county clerk or, in some cases, the coroner, will provide a copy of the death certificate. Death certificates are essential to administer estates and to prove death to parties who hold assets for the decedent and his or her heirs. It will often be helpful to have half a dozen originals as attorneys, courts and most financial institutions will want originals or copies.

4. Take Time For Grief

Each of us needs time to grieve and time to heal. Focusing on financial decisions delays our adjustment to a loss. Even if death appears to be a blessing, focusing on administration of the estate may make it more difficult to adjust.

Many people try to "take care of everything" in the first days following the death of a loved one. This is impossible and often makes matters worse. Forcing decisions can leave hard feelings. The law gives 30 days to start probate, but many probates start later. Administration of an estate takes time, often between six months and two years. Even the simplest tasks (like accessing funds in a payable on death bank account) may require a death certificate and several days.

Sometimes, family members and heirs are in town for a funeral or reception. Depending on their feelings, this may be a good time for a preliminary meeting with an attorney. Otherwise, it might be better to wait until you have more information. (See step 7).

5. If You Need to Pay Bills, Stick to Necessities and Avoiding Late Fees and Interest

Creditors understand that a death will mean a delay in payment or, as the case may be, a write-off. If a survivor or trustee has access to funds, then he or she should start dealing with bills that assess fees or interest for delayed payment. If no funds are available, or if funds are inadequate, it may be necessary to make arrangements for critical services (e.g., heat, light and phone).

6. Find “The Estate Records List” (if one exists).

It will simplify decision-making if the decedent left instructions for final arrangements and/or where to locate papers or assets, Survivors may know where papers are located, If there was a will or trust and what other wishes the decedent may have had. Hint: if you don’t have a list, now is a good time to make one.

7. When You Are Ready, Gather Information and Seek Advice

Gathering is NOT organizing. It is merely putting mail and readily available information about wills, trusts and assets in a safe place. Review the information you have gathered and make an appointment to discuss how the estate will be administered. If there is a trust, the beneficiaries should meet with the Trustee. Trustees should confer with their attorneys. If there is probate property or debts which cannot be paid from probate property, the personal representative(s) named in the will probably need to see an attorney to start the legal process of administration (probate). A family member, heir or creditor may take responsibility for probate if there is no will or if the personal representatives (and alternates) fail to act.




For more information email Ken Friedman, call him at 920-231-1500 or post a comment here.

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