Who Needs to Be Contacted After a Loved One Passes Away?

The loss of a loved one is hard no matter when it happens. Family members often face significant challenges if a loved one passes away with no estate plan. This creates many questions and possible confusion as California requires that an estate executor be appointed to handle the administration of the estate. If no will exists, California will still appoint someone else to serve in this role.

If you have not undertaken the steps necessary to create a holistic estate plan, you can add more control and get peace of mind that your loved ones will be facing less confusion or frustration in the future by working with a lawyer now. The loss of a loved one can be devastating and can create many different questions.

Knowing who to contact can be important to start the official process of estate administration and preventing any further charges on existing accounts or credit cards. An official pronouncement of death may be required and in that case, someone should contact law enforcement officials. An appointed executor may also need to reach out to the decedent’s loved ones, the decedent’s bank, an investment advisor, an insurance company, the Social Security Administration, and any estate planning or probate lawyer when there are questions about what to do next.

If the loved one had credit cards or open lines of credit, make sure you inform those companies that the account holder has passed away. If your loved one was employed, the employer may need to be contacted quickly, too. 

Document all of the communication you undertake and any responses you’ve received. You may also need to reach out to accounts specific to the individual, such as a retirement account manager, life insurance policy company, or any property managers for real estate located in or out of California. By taking proactive steps now to plan your estate, you can reduce future confusion for your loved ones and make it easier for them to undertake these important steps. Talk to our Pasadena law firm to discuss estate planning concerns.

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