Thursday, March 25, 2021

Template for Family for Follow-Up

Template for a Guidance Document to be set up by the Head Person as the Primary Guide for the Tasks the Family should do to tidy up the affairs after that Head Person is Gone.

Introduction:

     Here is a template that might be set up by one in order to help one's family with guidance on Tasks the Family Members have to do in order to tidy up the affairs of the estate after that person is gone.

     This template was merely a suggestion by the writer with no obligation or guarantee that it covers all or most situations. Individuals may have to set up a list of tasks with guidance from their attorneys and accountants and based on the customs and laws of their country, state, and locality. It is the belief of the writer that this template serves the residents of US. Residents of other countries may have to get a suitable template for their own circumstances, and locations. It will, however, be of great help if knowledgeable people develop templates suitable for specific locations and make them freely available. Even if the developers of templates charge a small charge for a template, it will be good business for the developers and highly beneficial for the families.

     I will be happy if the following Template enables and excites them to develop and post good and useful Templates for the said purpose.

     I will be happier if my small contribution is acknowledged.

Task List – “After Me”

     When one is gone, those left behind will have a number of tasks to do.

      Hence, it is best if seniors prepare a list, update it periodically, and leave it where the loved ones can access it, if and when needed. Keep this document in a secure place as there can be some level of confidential information in here. Here is a template to prepare such a list with information that is appropriate in your case.

      The details here are relevant to US residents and if you live in another country, such details have to be changed.

      Please note that this is not your will. You should state where they can find your will. You should check with an attorney if this template is right for your situation.

      The preparers and providers of this template neither assume any responsibility nor provide any warranties. The user should use their discretion and judgement in utilizing this guidance template.

      Best wishes to readers.

The Template

 Part 1:

Name: ________________________________

 

My will can be found in the security container at ­­­­­__________________(e.g. Bank/Institution name).

 

Many of my accounts are jointly held with my spouse and they can be accessed by the spouse.

 The spouse should transfer such accounts to her/his name as soon as possible after me.

 Here is what should be done immediately after I am gone? [1]

 o   Get a legal pronouncement of death from a doctor or hospice nurse or call 911.

o    Arrange for transportation of the body

o    Notify my doctor (name and phone number)   __________

       or the county coroner (Name and phone number)  _________________.

o    Notify close family and friends. (List attached)

Name ________________ can contact others.

o    Handle care of dependents and pets.

o   Call my employer ________________

o    Request info about benefits and any pay due to me. Ask whether there was a life-insurance policy through the employer/company.

o   Arrange for funeral and burial or cremation (Some steps are in the Table in Part 2 below.)

o   Details, if there is a prepaid burial plan or cremation plan? (Yes ----, No ---)

o   Prepare an Obituary (See my resume).

o   I do or do not belong to a group ­­­­____________, that would handle any ceremony?

o   Ask a friend or relative ____________ to keep an eye on the home, answer the phone, collect mail, throw food out (so that it does not rot in the refrigerator), and water plants.

o   Obtain death certificates from the funeral home.

o   Get official copies of death certificate from County or State office.

o   Make multiple copies of death certificate.

 

Part 2:

Notify the Following

Serial No.

Task

Organization

Phone

Address

web

Remarks

1

Legal Pronouncement of Death

Doctor (Name)

 

 

 

As applicable

2

Alternative to the above

Hospice

 

 

 

As applicable

3

Alternative to the above

Emergency

911

 

 

As applicable

4

Transport of Body

Funeral home

 

 

 

 

5

Notifying the County Coroner

 

 

 

 

 

6

Notifying friends

Location of the list (of Friends)

 

 

 

 

7

Inform Employer

 

 

 

 

Name of boss/colleague

8

Funeral/Cremation

Funeral home

 

 

 

 

9

Service

Temple/church

 

 

 

 

10

Prepare Obituary

Location for information

 

 

 

Resume or website

11

Safe keep home

Request Friends

 

 

 

 

12

Death certificate

Funeral home

 

 

 

Make 10-20 copies

13

Official Death Certificates

County or State

 

 

 

 

The following organizations have to be contacted as soon as possible, perhaps, with a Copy of the Death Certificate.

Serial Number

Organization

Reference Number

Phone

Web

Address

Remarks

1

Social Security Administration

My social security number

1-800-772-1213

 

 

Note 1

2

Employer or Former Employer

 

 

 

 

Note 2

3

Annuities

 

 

 

 

Note 3

4

Life Insurance Company

Insurance policy number

 

 

 

Note 4

5

Health Insurance

ID

 

 

 

Note 5

6

Dental Insurance

ID

 

 

 

Note 6

7

Vision Insurance

ID

 

 

 

Note 7

8

IRA 1

 

 

 

 

Note 8

9

IRA 2

 

 

 

 

Note 9

10

Roth IRA

 

 

 

 

Note 10

11

Joint Account 1

 

 

 

 

Note 11

12

Joint Account 2

 

 

 

 

Note 12

 Note 1: Social Security:

·         Social Security office (1-800-772-1213) should be informed.

o   This prevents the SS# from being used by ID thieves.

o   They (SSA) would recalculate (for retired people) social security benefits for the spouse.

o   Since social security is paid in advance, some amount may have to be refunded to Social Security; they will tell you how much.

o   Here is my SS # (­­­­­­___-__-____) {Keep this information secure.}

 Note 2: Pension:

Some government department, or a private company, or other organizations are sending my pension monthly. They should be informed. They will stop my pension and recalculate the pension for the spouse.

Here are the Contacts for Pension: 

Note 3: Annuities:

Here are the companies that I have annuities with. They should be informed.

 Provide details here:  ...

Note 4: Life Insurance:

Congratulations! You will get some life insurance amount if you have a policy.

Here are details.  ...

Note 5: Health Insurance:

I have the following health insurance for the family. They will recalculate for spouse only.

Note 6: Dental Health Benefits:

I have been paying for the family and they should be adjusted for the spouse and family only (without me) in the future.

Note 7: Vision Benefits:

I have been paying for the family and they should be adjusted for the spouse and family only (without me) in the future.

 Note 8: IRA: Is it set up as STIRPS?

It is not essential to take the whole amount in the IRA at once by the beneficiaries. The amount can be withdrawn over many years.

Of course, there is a Required Minimum amount to be withdrawn (RMD) each year.

Contact company for details.  ------

 (Note: if you have a 401K plan instead of an IRA) provide relevant details.

Note 9: Other IRAs:

Same as Note 8.

 Note 10: Roth IRA:

There is no minimum withdrawal requirement. There are no income taxes to be paid on amounts withdrawn from Roth IRA.

 Note 11: Change Joint Account(s) to individual Account(s)

 Account Numbers: -----

Note 12: Change Joint Accounts to Individual Accounts

Account Numbers: -----

Other Notifications

Serial No.

Organization

Address

Account Number

 

 

Remarks

1

Post Office

 

Home address

 

 

 

2

Gas company

 

 

 

 

Transfer name on account

3

Electricity

Supply company

 

 

 

Transfer name on account

4

City

 

 

 

Transfer name on account

5

Water, Sewer, Refuse

City or supplier

 

 

 

Transfer name on account

6

Driver License

DMV

 

 

 

Cancel

7

Vehicle Title

DMV

 

 

 

Change owner name

8

Home Deed

Attorney

 

 

 

Change owner name

9

Land

Attorney

 

 

 

Change owner name

10

Other

 

 

 

 

Assets (if any!)

Serial No.

Institution

Account No.

Phone no.

Web

Location

Remarks

A1

IRA 1

 

 

 

 

Note A1

A2

IRA2

 

 

 

 

Note A2

A3

Roth IRA

 

 

 

 

Note A3

A4

College 529

 

 

 

 

Note A4

A5

College 529

 

 

 

 

Note A5

A6

Home

 

 

 

 

Note A6

A7

Land

 

 

 

 

Note A7

A8

Joint Account 1

 

 

 

 

Note A8

A9

Stocks, Bonds, etc.

 

 

 

 

Note A9

A10

Security Container

 

 

 

 

Note A10

A11

Loans owed by others

 

 

 

 

Note A11

A12

Valuable collections

 

 

 

 

Note A12

A13

Life Insurance

 

 

 

 

Note A13


Note A1: IRA accounts

Note A2: Same as A1

Note A3: Details under accounts above

Note A4: College Savings Name and details

Note A5: College Savings Name and details

Note A6: Home: Address

Mortgage: Company name: etc. ...

Monthly amount to be paid: $ ....

Account Number: …

Phone number: …

Address:

Note A7: Land location (address):

Mortgage: Company

Monthly amount to be paid: $....

Account Number: …

Phone number: …

Address:

Note A8: Joint Account1: Bank Name

Note A9: Stocks, bonds, etc.: Name of company and details

Note A10: Security Container: Location

Note A11: Loans owed by others: Names and amount details (references)

Note A12: Valuable collections (Stamps, coins, gold, jewelry, rare manuscripts, etc.) Locations and details

Note A13: Life Insurance: Name: Beneficiary

Liabilities (Major)   (if any!)

Serial No.

Institution

Reference Number

Phone

Web

How paid

Remarks

1

Home Mortgage

 

 

 

 

NoteL1

2

Land Mortgage

 

 

 

 

NoteL2

3

Car Loan

 

 

 

 

NoteL3

4

Home Equity loan

 

 

 

 

NoteL4

L1: Mortgage on home: Company and details and location of papers

L2: Mortgage on Land: Company and details

L3: Loan or lease on Car(s): Company and details

L4: Home Equity Loan: Company and details

Other Loans: Company and details Account Numbers: ...

Liabilities/Monthly Bills to be paid

(Credit cards in my name should be cancelled and cards cut. Those in joint names should be transferred to spouse’s name only.)

Serial No.

Institution

What

Phone

Web

How paid

Date bill is due

Remarks

1

Visa1

 

 

 

 

 

NoteCC

2

Visa2

 

 

 

 

 

NoteCC

3

Amex

 

 

 

 

 

NoteCC

4

Mastercard

 

 

 

 

 

NoteCC

5

Macy’s

 

 

 

 

 

NoteCC

6

Discover

 

 

 

 

 

NoteCC

7

Store cards

 

 

 

 

 

NoteCC

8

 

 

 

 

 

NoteCC

NoteCC: Balances should be cleared monthly by the due date.

There should be another Template for how the other bills are paid (automatic deduction from bank account, credit card, check, cash, etc.)?

Taxes

S no.

Organization

Ref No.

Paid

To Pay

Reference

Remark

1

IRS

 

 

 

 

Note T1

2

State

 

 

 

 

Note T2

3

County/City

 

 

 

 

Note T3

4

Other

 

 

 

 

Note T4

Note T1: IRS: Federal Income tax: (How paid and when)

Note T2: State Income Tax: (How paid and when)

Note T3: County/City: Property Taxes: (How paid and when)

Note T4: Other.

Monthly or Periodic Bills

Serial No.

What

Institution

Phone

Web

How paid

Remarks

1

Gas

 

 

 

 

Note B1

2

Electricity

 

 

 

 

Note B2

3

Water, Sewer, Refuse/Garbage

 

 

 

 

Note B3

4

Newspaper

 

 

 

 

Note B4

5

Membership(s)

 

 

 

 

Note B5

6

Home Insurance

 

 

 

 

Note B6

7

Auto-Insurance

 

 

 

 

Note B7

8

Automobile Road Assistance

 

 

 

 

Note B8

9

Home Owners Association (HOA)

 

 

 

 

Note B9

10

Property Owners Association (POA)

 

 

 

 

Note B10

11

Lawn Mowing

 

 

 

 

Note B11

12

House Cleaner

 

 

 

 

Note B12

13

Cable

 

 

 

 

Note B13

14

Internet

 

 

 

 

Note B14

15

Home phone

 

 

 

 

Note B15

16

Home security

 

 

 

 

Note B16

17

Phone other

 

 

 

 

Note B17

18

Streaming TV

 

 

 

 

Note B18

19

Consumer Checkbook

 

 

 

 

Note B19

20

Consumer Reports

 

 

 

 

Note B20

21

Magazines

 

 

 

 

Note B21

Note B1 to B21: write guidance as applicable.

Indicate if any cancellations are to be done.

Inform if any changes should be made, in cases where they charge automatically to credit cards or bank accounts?

Note B1: Gas Bill:

Note B2: Electric Bill:

Note B3: Water, Sewer, Garbage Bill:

Note B4: Newspaper: (May be discontinued.)

Note B5: Memberships: (list)

Note B6: Home Insurance: Company, premium, date.

Note B7: Auto Insurance: Company, premium, date.

Umbrella Insurance:

Note B8: Company name:

Note B9: Home Owners Association, (HOA)

Note B10: Property Owner’s Association, (POA)

Note B11: Lawn mower, Monthly bill from

Note B12: House cleaner:

Note B13: Cable

Note B14: Internet

Note B15: Home phone

Note B16: Home security                                                   

Note B17: Phone other

Note B18: Streaming TV

Note B19: Consumer Checkbook                                   

Note B20: Consumer Reports

Note B21: Magazines (names & amounts)

Medical Bills

As we visit doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, Insurance pays part of the charges, and we copay first and also pay balance to each doctor or provider of product or service.

 

S. No.

Name

Type of practice

Phone

Web

How paid

Remarks

1

 

Doctor

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

8

Dentist

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 


Pharmacy

S. No.

Name

Type of practice

Phone

Web

How paid

Remarks

Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local shop

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call and cancel any refills for me or usually filled automatically by the pharmacy. 

Miscellaneous Items

Driver’s License: Cancel mine.

Yachts, Planes: If you have these items, then you are beyond this template; get your attorney’s help!

Vehicle Title: To be changed appropriately.

Vehicle Registration: To be changed appropriately.

Home Title: To be changed appropriately.

Land Title: To be changed appropriately.

Car Title: To be changed appropriately.

Vehicle Emissions test: Get it done when due & Pay by check or credit card.

Memberships: Cancel or pay when notice comes via email

Sports club memberships:

Auto Roadside Assistance: When notice comes by mail or via email.

Cable, etc.: TV, Internet, Digital Voice package

Set top box and wireless router to be returned or name changed.

Other TV: (e.g. IPTV, Yupptv,  Streaming Media)

My Domain Name: Should it be canceled, or kept up for some more years?

My Website annual hosting fee: Should it be canceled, or kept up for some more years?

Email ID: Cancel?

Wholesale Club Membership: Fee and what to do?

- Is there Reward cash amount and when does it come?

Contracts for maintenance services: Names and instructions

Home Owners Association Membership: optional ($ ...   ) Paid by check or online

Checkbook, Consumer Choice: Optional; paid by check

Magazine Subscriptions: Optional; paid by check

Whom to call list for repairs to Items, Devices, and Systems in the Home

Serial No.

What for

Company

Phone

Web

Remarks

1

Furnace

 

 

 

 

 

2

Air Conditioning

 

 

 

 

 

3

Refrigerator

 

 

 

 

 

4

Dishwasher

 

 

 

 

 

5

Clothes Washer

 

 

 

 

 

6

Garbage Disposer

 

 

 

 

 

7

Handyman

 

 

 

 

 

8

Home Security

 

 

 

 

 

9

Gas Problem

 

 

 

 

 

10

Electricity

 

 

 

 

 

11

Cable TV

 

 

 

 

 

12

Medical

 

 

 

 

 

13

Lawn/Yard/Snow

 

 

 

 

 

14

Home Cleaning

 

 

 

 

 

15

Neighbors

 

 

 

 

 

16

Taxi

 

 

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 


Websites & Email Accounts

Serial No.

Type

Organization name

Address

Account Number

Contact Info

Remarks

1

Name

 

 

 

 

 

2

Email Account

 

 

 

 

 

3

Gmail

 

 

 

 

 

4

Yahoo

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

If you get most billing information via your email account, it is very important that you provide the email address(es) used for each account, password, and the contact information. Such information should be secure. 

Passwords: Location of secret documents and information.

Online Accounts

Serial No.

Type of Account

Organization

Address

Account Number

Contact Info

Remarks

1

 

 

 

 

 

2

Gmail

 

 

 

 

 

3

Yahoo

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Passwords: Should be provided via a secret location for security reasons. 

Organizations (Volunteer or Professional or other) 

Serial No.

Organization Name

Address

Reference Number

Web

Phone

Remarks

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friends: Location ____________ of list with contact information

Relatives: Location ___________ of list with contact information.

---....---

[1] The list is put together with information from the following sources. 

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/10/what-to-do-when-a-loved-one-dies/index.htm

http://www.ehow.com/list_6053962_organizations-notify-after-death.html

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/will-your-heirs-get-slammed-with-your-outstanding-debt-when-you-die/ar-AAicWXd?li=BBmkt5R

Please note that in this Template, the writers used the word 'you' that refers to the person preparing the document as well as the the person (possibly, Spouse) receiving instructions and details based on the context.

Alert: You may have to revise this document periodically to update it! Long live!

Comments are welcome so that I can update this Template.

- End of Document -





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