Use this checklist as a useful resource to guide those settling an estate or for estate planning to simplify things for your loved ones at a later date.
| Collect Important Papers | Location/ Name |
Done | Not Applicable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral and burial instructions | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Proof of prepaid funeral or burial arrangements | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Death certificate (recommend 15 copies) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Location of safe deposit box/key | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Birth certificate | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Marriage license | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Will | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Prenup | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Insurance policies | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Deeds (home, car, boat) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Trusts | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Divorce settlements | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Veterans discharge papers | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Mortgage | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Bills on autopay | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Log in information (i.e. email, social media, subscriptions, frequent flyer miles) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Contact Financial Advisor | |||
| Financial advisor contact information | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Contact Estate Attorney | |||
| Attorney’s contact infomation | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Date of death values for investment assets | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Appraisals for real estate, business, etc | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Complete Notification Of Death | |||
| Social security administration | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Investment advisor for investment accounts | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Bank for bank accounts | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Employer | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Pension administrator | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Contact Accountant | |||
| Ask about estimated tax payments | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Ask about required minimum distributions | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Obtain recent tax returns including gift tax returns | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Apply For Benefits | |||
| Life Insurance (individual and employer) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Retirement plan benefits | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Company stock | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Social security survivor benefits and death benefit | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Veterans benefits | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Health insurance, health savings account | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Change Title/Ownership | |||
| IRA and 401k (consult with your financial advisor) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Household bills | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Home | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Automobiles (leases and insurance) | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Credit cards | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Safe deposit boxes | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Bank accounts | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Investment accounts | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Mortgage | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Property insurance (consult with specialist) | ☐ | ☐ | |
Disclosure:
This insight contains general information that is not suitable for everyone. The information contained here in should not be construed as personalized investment advice. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed in this insight will come to pass.
Wealthstream Advisors, Inc. is a registered investment adviser. Additional information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on our Form ADV Part 2 available upon request or at the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
Clients of the firm who have specific questions should contact their advisor with whom they regularly work. All other inquiries, including any inquiry concerning a potential advisory relationship with Wealthstream Advisors, should be directed to Michael Goodman.