Steps To Take After A Loved One Passes Away
Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things you will ever go through, even if the death was expected. During your time of grief, there are also many important steps to take and it is not always easy to know what these are. If you have lost someone, you may need legal help. Below, our Daytona Beach probate lawyer outlines the most important steps to take now, and in the coming weeks.
Steps to Take Immediately
The immediate steps to take after losing a loved one are as follows:
- Notify other loved ones: Call other immediate family members and close friends to inform them of the passing. To reach a broader audience of acquaintances, use social media to inform others.
- Make final arrangements: Hopefully, your loved one planned for their final arrangements before they passed, or made their wishes known. If not, family members should meet to discuss how to move forward with the final arrangements. During this meeting, you should also discuss the details of the ceremony and burial.
- Make pet arrangements: If your loved one had a pet, make arrangements for their care both in the short and long-term.
Steps to Take in the First Few Weeks
If the decedent had a will, Florida law requires it to be submitted to the probate court in the county where the deceased lived within ten days of their passing. Other steps to take in the first few weeks following the death are as follows:
- Obtain the death certificate: You can obtain copies of the death certificate from the hospital, funeral home, or by contacting the Florida Department of Health.
- Create an inventory of property: A complete inventory of your loved one’s assets will be required by the probate court. Create an inventory of financial accounts, real estate holdings, life insurance policies, and personal property.
- Collect bills and names: Look for credit card bills and other invoices that have yet to be paid. Pay bills that are necessary, such as the mortgage and property taxes, but do not pay anything that is unnecessary, such as credit card bills.
Steps to Take in the Months Following
Two to three after your loved one’s death you can start focusing on things that did not need immediate attention. For example, you may consider sending the three major credit bureaus a copy of the death certificate. This can help prevent identity theft. You may also want to delete or memorialize social media accounts. Each platform will have their own instructions on how to do this.
Call a Probate Lawyer in Daytona Beach
If you are facing the probate process, it is strongly recommended that you have legal representation. At Bundza & Rodriguez, our Daytona Beach probate lawyer can help you through the process, advise on the important steps to take, and make it easier for you and your family. Call us today at 386-252-5170 or chat with us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
floridahealth.gov/certificates/certificates/death/index.html
