Successions

THINGS TO DO AFTER THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE

Visit www.LouisianaWillForms.com to download helpful forms that can assist you with some of the tasks outlined below.

Within first 24 hours:                 

1.       Determine whether any of decedent's property needs to be safeguarded, such as a motor vehicle, vacant or rental house, etc.  Secure property from potential loss such as theft and vandalism.                 

2.       Ensure that proper funeral arrangements have been made.  Funeral home will order Certificates of death from the state department

.Within two weeks:                 

3.       Locate the decedent's letter of instruction, or other final wishes.                 

4.       Locate the original Will or Trust and read it.  Do not write on original documents.                 

5.       Locate important records: account statements, titles, deeds and life insurance policies.                 

6.       Make appointment with an attorney to discuss estate.                 

7.       Notify life insurance companies and annuity companies of the death and request claim forms.  Order one Death Certificate for each company.  Click Here for Forms.       

8.       If mortgage life insurance on home exists, notify mortgage holder and insurance company of death. Click Here for Forms.                 

9.       Determine if any bills must be paid immediately.                 

10.      Contact creditors who are demanding immediate payment and notify of death.     Click Here for Forms.             

11.      Notify credit card companies of death.

Click Here for Forms.               

12.      Cancel credit cards on which decedent was the only signer.                 

13.      Obtain bill for last illness from hospital.                 

14.      Order at least one death certificate for each account or major asset owned by the deceased, minimum of seven death certificates from the funeral home.  Click Here for Forms.                

15.      Contact Post Office to make any necessary changes in delivery of mail.

Within one month:                 

16.      Notify Social Security and any other organization paying retirement or annuity of the death.  If direct deposits have been made, they will likely reverse them.  Click Here for Forms.                

17.      Gather and organize financial documents

:a.       Bank accounts owned by decedent.

b.       Mutual funds owned by decedent.

c.       Brokerage accounts owned by decedent.

d.       Certificates of Deposit in decedent's name.

e.       Stock Certificates registered in decedent's name.    

f.       Any promissory notes under which decedent was entitled to receive payment.      

g.      Titles to Motor Vehicles or Mobile Homes that are listed in decedent's name.

h.       Deeds to real property owned by decedent

.i.        Appraisals of jewelry or other valuable personal property owned by decedent.                 

18.      Gain access to and complete an inventory of the contents any safe deposit box.                 

19.      Obtain balance on every mortgage, loan, checking, money market, savings accounts as of the date of death.                 

20.      Bring original Will, Trust, financial documents showing balance and account number, death certificates, and inventory of safe deposit box to meeting with attorney.                 

21.      Notify tax preparer, CPA, accountant or bookkeeper of the death.

Within two to six months:                 

22.      If automobiles are held in joint tenancy, change motor vehicle titles to reflect ownership only by the surviving joint tenant.                 

23. If stocks or bonds are held in joint tenancy, contact stockbroker to change records to reflect ownership only by the surviving joint tenant.

24. If bank or financial accounts are in joint tenancy, leave the deceased name on the account for 90 days to deposit any final payments to the deceased which may be received, or to provide payment for outstanding checks which may be presented for payment.  Review all checking accounts for proper activity to avoid identity theft.