Table of Contents
Introduction ix
About the Author xv
My To-Do Checklists xvii
My Action Checklists xxiii
Chapter 1 Do First Things First 1
First Things Action Checklists 9
Burial 9
Celebration of Life 11
Charities 13
Cremation 14
Donation of Organs and Tissues 15
Entombment 16
Ethical Will/Legacy Documents 17
Funeral or Memorial Service Arrangements 18
Funeral Expenses 21
Obituary 23
Persons to Contact 24
Pet Care 27
Whole Body Donation 28
First Things: Other 29
Chapter 2 Get Organized for What Comes Next 31
Get Organized Action Checklists 35
Personal History of the Deceased 35
Children and Grandchildren 39
Parents 44
Brothers and Sisters 45
Grandparents 52
Stepgrandparents 54
Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins 55
Stepparents 58
Stepbrothers and Stepsisters 59
Records to Locate 61
Get Organized: Other 67
Chapter 3 Build a Team You Can Rely On 69
Build a Team Action Checklists 75
Assigned Tasks 75
Financial Professionals 78
Lawyers 80
Build a Team: Other 82
Chapter 4 Apply for Survivors' Benefits 83
Survivors' Benefits Action Checklists 97
Pensions 97
Social Security Benefits 99
Veterans' Benefits 100
Workers' Compensation 101
Survivors' Benefits: Other 102
Chapter 5 Find Out What's at the Bank 103
Banking Action Checklists 109
Certificates of Deposit 109
Checking Accounts 111
Credit Union Accounts 113
Safe-Deposit Boxes 114
Savings Accounts 116
Savings Bonds 117
Banking: Other 118
Chapter 6 Learn What's Available in Investments 119
Investments Checklists 127
Bonds 127
Money Market Funds and Accounts 129
Mutual Funds 130
Stocks 131
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) 132
Roth IRA 133
401(k), 457(b). 403(b), and TSP Plans 134
SIMPLE IRA 135
SEP IRA 136
Investments: Other 137
Chapter 7 Check on Insurance Benefits 139
Insurance Action Checklists 151
Annuities 151
Automobile Insurance 153
Health, Disability, and Medicare Health Insurance 155
Homeowners' Insurance 158
Life Insurance 159
Other Residence Insurance 160
Other Vehicle Insurance 161
Insurance: Other 163
Chapter 8 Stay Put in Your Home for Now 165
Real Estate Action Checklists 173
Commercial or Rental Property 173
Condominium 174
Farmland 175
Rental Agreements 176
Residence 177
Time-share 178
Real Estate: Other 179
Chapter 9 Pay Debts 181
Pay Debts Action Checklists 189
Commercial Property Debts 189
Condominium 191
Credit Cards 192
Credit Reporting Companies 195
Farmland 196
Personal Debts 198
Residence 199
Time-share 201
Pay Debts: Other 202
Chapter 10 Sort through the Stuff and Papers 203
Sort Stuff Action Checklists 213
Passwords 213
Rewards Accounts 216
Son Stuff: Other 219
Chapter 11 Get Ready for Probate 221
Get Ready for Probate Action Checklists 231
Codicils 231
Gifts 232
Letter of Instruction 233
Living Trust 234
Will 235
Get Ready for Probate: Other 236
Chapter 12 Take Care of Yourself 237