Among Friends

[Bird mama]

@BunSnoop  I just wanted to stop by and express my sincere sympathy for the loss of your husband.

[chrystaltree]

So sorry for your loss.  Relax.  Don't over think this thing.  When you go for the consult, they will tell you what to bring and if you don't have everything, they'll wait.  Depending on your circumstances, the process could take a while.  It won't be completed in one or two visits.  You are paying the attorney the patterned for his or her expertise, just let them guide you through the process.

[Dazlin]

@BunSnoop ,I am very sorry for your loss.

I'm still going through red tape for both of my deceased parents.  The 1st thing i did was hire an attorney to get the house deeds in my name. I presented death certificates, original will, and all documents of the house. He then submits all that to a court and a judge will determine if you qualify for your name on deed, which I believe you qualify.  I got deed done in about 2 months.

If you can afford to have the attorney handle everything else you mentioned, I so highly suggest letting him/her take over.   My attorney charges $400 an hour, so it was not a go for me...but I did let him handle the house deed.  My final fee from him was over $4,000...he looked over a couple of other issues.  I wasn't pleased with him at all.

Anyway, I've dealt with things you mentioned, car insurance  house insurance,  utilities, canceling all credit cards, and multiple services for their house, even getting their mail forwarded, was all a horrible, stressful mess.

My daughters did help, but ultimately I was the one to present legal documents.  As of now, I'm dealing with the IRS, for their taxes. HRblock submitted all the documents, and yet IRS still wants me to go into an office to prove my identity.  I was on the phone over 3 hours yesterday to get no where.  I don't mean to add any anxiety to you...I just really hope you can take all and any help you can. 

My best to you, and please take care of yourself!

[shoekitty]

Oh, I am just so sorry.  I wish every little memory will just be blessing.  What I have learned is every state is different.  Here in California rules are different than say, Michigan.  I say Michigan off hand cause I am personally  familiar with that stuff from dealing with a relative there. In California you have to show up in person At DMV, and county assesers for property stuff,  but you can hire legal proxy. Most stuff is done online.  The one thing you need as everyone has told you is plenty of Death certificates, at least 10. Many places take copies, so ask and save yourself an original  I am glad you are seeing an attorney to get yourself taken care of., have one help you with this other stuff.  So,etimes attorneys get a bad rap,  but let me tell you they can save you foot work and grief.  Good luck, let us know how it is going. And take care

[Dazlin]

@shoekitty @BunSnoop ...I got copies of death certificates from the funeral home...both long and short form.  Just ask them for copies.

I believe I got about 6 copies for each my parents...and yes I do use them.  Also, I take photos on my phone in case maybe something , like a utility co asks to see DC.   Sometimes they accept a screenshot. 

Another day today dealing with IRS...but I got an appt in june...4 hours total on phone...and I'll have to go into an office.   I'll need a boat load of proof/documents  😭...i have everything...so @BunSnoop be prepared and organized as possible...it helps relieve the stress.

My best to you!!

[shoekitty]

@Dazlin   Here in California the copies can be ordered by funeral home.  They do cost, I think 17@, and this was 2019, lol.   I found many places took copies, so I do a couple left.  We had it easier than some, because the estate we dealt with had a living trust. At the time of my moms death, I went from trustee to executor, and had control of estate.  It was a matter of of transfer papers being signed and filed.   But I hired an attorney because it involved property and such and I didn't want to deal with it as the executor. The attorney was a fair price considering. Al. He did.  Omg, he was a keeper for sure! And fees were split.  It's a lot of work. Holy Cow!  Four hours on phone, been there done that...not quite that long, but it was the start of Covid, and no one was there.  I loved on the phone though..  talk, talk talk, I was on hold all the time,   IRS, once we got hold of them moved quickly, but as Covid progressed so did the mistakes.  Took 2 years to get a small check released, they owed her.  it wasn't rightamount, but I just took it and let it go. It wasn't worth the grief. 

[Dazlin]

@shoekitty ...honestly I let so much go because it was just too much to deal with...on top of caring for my parents and everything they owned, the year before they passed.  I actually took a loss, but I needed to get my life back.

Hopefully this IRS issue is the last problem I'll have to deal with...I really can't take much more.

Yes being executor is the worst!

3 trips to HRblock, 2 days of phone calls, and now an appointment to lay my life bare to prove my identity....sighhhh.

[ScrapHappy]

When my Dad passed, he didn't have a will.  My Mom went to an attorney.  Both my sister and I signed a paper saying that we agree everything to go to my Mom.  Then my Mom began getting what she needed to in her name.  But the first thing she did after my Dad passed was notifying social security.  I'm so sorry for you loss.