Simple Steps to Avoid Disputes after a Loved One Passes Away
Too many times, family members turn to an attorney after a loved one has passed away because there are serious disputes in the family about their loved one's belongings and assets. Losing a loved one is a very stressful and painful time. Under stress, people don't always respond as they normally would to situations. Little problems can get blown way out of proportion at these times.
The following are some tips about how to lessen the stress on your family at the time when you pass away. These words of advice, as simple as they may seem, may help your family at the time you pass away.
1. Tell the person who will be your Executor the location of your Will and your important papers.
When a will can't be found, unnecessary disputes can erupt within the family and unnecessary
unnecessary problems arise about taking care of the deceased person's estate.
2. Do not put your Will and important papers in a safe deposit box.
Only persons who are signatories on the safe deposit box can obtain items from a safe deposit
box. If a Will and other important papers are in a safe deposit box, this will cause problems for
the family in obtaining these important papers. Once the Executor is named and has his
letters of Authority, he will then be able to obtain the contents of the safe deposit box. However,
this is after your family needed these papers.
3. Make a list of your assets with account numbers, beneficiary information, and contact information.
Give a copy of this list to the person who will be your Executor or let him know where this list is
located.
4. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.
Don't keep your affairs a secret from your closest family members. While people like to keep
certain information private, there is nothing to be gained by keeping your financial information a
deep dark secret. While you don't need to disclose everything about your finances, you should
let someone know where you keep your financial information and your important papers.
It is also a good idea to let your family know how you want your assets to be divided upon your
passing. It is also a good idea is to make a list of the items you want family members to receive
upon your passing. Give this list to the person you have named to be your Executor.
5. Make your own funeral arrangements.
Making funeral arrangements for a loved one is a very stressful task. If you make your own
funeral arrangements, you are relieving your family of this burden. You can benefit if you prepay
for the funeral arrangements. You will receive what you purchased at the price you paid for it even
if by the time you pass away, the same funeral arrangements cost much more.
