3 Things You Need To Understand About Death Certificates As An Executor Of An Estate

If you have been assigned as the executor of a loved one's estate, there are a few things that you are going to need to do right away in order to get your role started and fulfill the duties assigned to you. Here are three things that are going to need to happen right away as an executor of an estate.

Where To Obtain A Death Certificate

One of the very first things that you are going to need to do is obtain a copy of the death certificate. Generally, the funeral home will help facilitate this process, or your loved one's doctor can help with this process as well. The funeral home is going to want to know how copies you want of the death certificate. This is a very important question. You are going to need numerous official copies of the death certificate as you work to settle your loved one's estate. These certificates are essential for the role that you have taken. It is easiest to get all the death certificates that you need up front.

What You Will Need A Death Certificate For

There are numerous times you are going to need to provide a death certification as you execute your loved one's estate. You are going to need to provide a death certificate in order to cash in on your loved one's life insurance policies. Any organization that your loved one has an account with, starting with all their financial accounts and including any retirement accounts that your loved one has, will require you to provide a death certificate before they will let you close the accounts. You need to stop your loved one's Social Security payments immediately, and you'll need a death certificate in order to do so.

How To Determine How Many Certificates You Will Need

Count up all the financial accounts that you know your loved one has as well as any other formal accounts, and double that number when you order death certificates. Having these on hand will make your job easier as you will not have to wait extra time to get formal death certificates for each bank, institution, and company that asks for them.

You may find that death certificates are even necessary in order to gain access to and close down online accounts that your loved one has as well. Many online based companies closely guard privacy and will need solid proof that your loved one is dead before they allow you access to their accounts. 

To learn more about how to handle your loved one's affairs after they pass, contact a probate attorney.


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