The Other Side: What to know to prepare for a death

I have been asked by several friends to document financial and legal steps to prepare death plans for parents or yourself.

I am not a lawyer, financial analyst or anyone looking to cash in on this situation. I am just trying to give you the results of my efforts over the past 8 years when my father had a stroke to his death several weeks ago.

FINANCIAL

	Write down and make accessible to all family members a list of all your holdings: bank accounts, insurance, stocks, bonds, etc. with the contact name, phone number and accounts numbers. Also note your social security #, military serial #, accountant, financial planner, executor, and anyone else of importance.
	Leave your safe deposit box location and #, with a duplicate key, with a member of the family or executor.
	Original, with copies, of your S.S. card, birth certificate, marriage license, DD214(discharge paper), car title, mortgage and any other titles to personal property.
	Social Security. The funeral home typically contacts S.S. A one-time $255 death benefit is paid to the survivor. If S.S. does not notify you within 30 days then check with the funeral home or the S.S. people (1-800-772-1213 www.ssa.gov )
	Trusts. In 2001 the first $675,000 of an estate is exempt from taxes. If your estate is more than that you should probably establish separate trusts. A tax lawyer or financial planner can help you here. If you can trust your kids they should be co-trustee(s).
	Pensions. If there was a pension there could be survivor benefits. Contact personnel dept. of the former employer if you cannot find contact information.

LEGAL

Update your will, POA (Power Of Attorney) and living will from your attorney. You will also need a DNR (Do Not Resituate). A living will is fine if you are in a care facility, but when you call 911 the medics will cease their efforts only if there is a DNR. You can obtain this form from a doctor. Your wishes mean nothing unless they are in writing. If you move to another state have this paperwork checked again by a lawyer in your new state as changes may have to be made.

MISCELLANEOUS

	Military benefits (HA!). If you have a G.I. insurance policy you can get the survivor form from Veteran Affairs. Send in the form with a death certificate. We used to be able to get $300 and a flag, but now the payment is available only if you are on disability at the time of death. You get the flag from the funeral home. If the surviving spouse is destitute he/she is entitled to some financial benefits. Contact Veteran Affairs (you need a copy of the marriage certificate and DD214)
	Contact the supplemental insurance carrier, such as Blue Cross, as you may be due a refund
	Be a co-signer on any checking accounts and close it out ASAP.
	Get the mail sent to you.
	Do not assume ANYTHING. Check the records in the care facility periodically to be sure that the paperwork is in order.
	Have information readily available as to physician and medication.
	You will need information for the funeral home...deceased mother's (maiden) and father's name, cremation, burial place, among other things I am sure that I am missing some details, but this should be help to get you started on your planning.

Until Next Time,

            Good Picking!
                    Jared