A parent’s death could be sudden, like the ones caused by accidents and emergencies. On the other hand, some can be caused by a terminal illness or old age. Regardless of how they died, their passing would still leave a huge void in your life. The passing of a family relative who is close to you can be challenging, especially in your mental health. This can add to the burden of caring for some things after their passing.
One of the most important things you’ll need to do after your parent’s death is to take care of all the legal paperwork. This can seem daunting, but getting it all taken care of as soon as possible is important. This way, it would be one less worry off your back so you can grieve peacefully. Here are some of the most important papers you’ll need to deal with:
1. The Death Certificate
A death certificate is one of the most important legal papers needed to be taken care of after your parent’s death. This document is necessary to settle the estate and ensure that all debts of the deceased are paid. You can get a death certificate from the hospital or funeral home where your parent passed away. You can also get it from the vital records office in your city or state.
Be reminded that the death certificate is a significant legal document that needs to be taken care of immediately. This is to prevent any problems that might arise in the future. It’s crucial for estate planning and other legalities; that’s why you need to get this straightened out as soon as possible.
2. The Will
If your parent died with a will, you must take care of this document as soon as possible. It’s important to find out where the original copy is kept and to start the probate process. They will typically name an executor in charge of handling the estate. They will ensure that all the debts of the deceased are paid. It’ll also guarantee that the assets are distributed according to the will.
If your parent doesn’t have a will, the state will determine how their assets will be distributed. If this is the case for you, you can contact a reputable trust administration lawyer to help you with the process. This lawyer will be able to help you understand the laws of intestate succession and how they would apply to your parent’s estate.
The estate will still need to go through probate if there’s no will. This is a legal process where the court will appoint an executor to handle the deceased’s assets. The executor will ensure that all debts are paid, and the assets are distributed according to state laws.
3. Insurance Policies
Another important legal paper you’ll need to take care of is the insurance policies that your parent had. You’ll need to contact the insurance company and notify them of the death. They will then process the claim and send the benefits to the beneficiaries named in the policy.
Insurance companies typically require a death certificate to process the claim. So, make sure you have this document ready when you contact them. You should also find out if there are any other requirements that they need before they can release the benefits.
It’s important to take care of this as soon as possible so you can get the death benefits your parent is entitled to. This can help you with the funeral expenses and other debts that need to be paid.
4. Social Security Benefits
If your parent received social security benefits, you’d need to notify the Social Security Administration of their death. You can do this by reaching out through their contact number. Once you notify them, they will process the claim and send the benefits to the surviving spouse or dependent children.
Survivors’ benefits are available for a deceased person’s spouse and dependent children. This can help you with your living expenses after your parent’s death. The amount of benefit will depend on the earnings record of the deceased. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, you can contact a social security lawyer to help you with the claim.
5. Property Titles and Deeds
If your parent owned any property, you’d need to take care of the titles and deeds. You’ll need to contact the local land records office to find out how to transfer the ownership of the property. They usually require a death certificate and the original title deed to process the request.
Taking care of this will help you avoid future problems when you try to sell the property. Getting this done as soon as possible is important so you can take care of the property and prevent any legal issues.
6. Bank Accounts, Mortgage, and other Loans
If your parent has any bank accounts, you’ll need to take care of these as well. You’ll need to contact the bank and notify them of the death. They will then process the account and send the funds to the beneficiaries named in the will.
If your parent had a mortgage or other loans, you’d also need to take care of these. You’ll need to contact the lender and notify them of the death. They will then process the loan and send the funds to the beneficiaries named in the will.
The death of a parent is a difficult time for anyone. It’s essential to take care of the legal paperwork as soon as possible so you can focus on mourning. If you need support, don’t hesitate to ask a lawyer or another family member for help.
