Handling the Affairs When a Husband Dies: Widow: A Women Alone
Just the loss of a life partner is a tragedy and it is that much worse when the surviving partner has to deal with all of the financial and legal complications by themselves. These are some of the responsibilities that will automatically shift to your plate when your husband is gone, during what is arguably one of the worst stages in your life. This means that by taking care of operational chores, you will be able to mourn and at the same time secure your future financially. Here is a guide to what to do when you lose your husband: Here is a guide to what to do when you lose your husband:
Inform Those Who Are Close and Dear The first thing that you should do will be to inform some of your close friends and members of your family about the death of your husband. This is your children, parents, siblings, and best friends among them you have to take good care of. Let them know of funeral plans if you have them and seek their help for this new and grieving transition. Emotional support from family and friends is important as they help you come to terms with this tremendous loss.
Apply Get copies of the death certificate After registering your husband’s death, you should hire a funeral home director to provide you with, at least, ten certified copies of the death certificate. Businesses, especially banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, and government agencies will need these to either shut down the accounts process claims, or change titles of assets. To be safe, get certified copies as well and obtain these even if you do not need them right away because it may take several weeks to get them.
Consult with an Attorney or an Administrator of the Estate If your husband had a will, then it is advisable to seek legal advice from the executor of the will to begin the legal process of probate. If he predeceased you without a will, you may want to consult a probate attorney and ask him to be considered for administrator. He or she will gather and appraise assets and then pay debts and taxes on the estate and distribute the rest to the heirs as governed by the state laws. You may be asked to present the death certificate, the marriage certificate, the property documents, and statements of your accounts.
Notify Financial Institutions Gather all banking and financial information; this includes accounts held jointly or solely in your husband’s name, investment, retirement, and insurance policies. It is important to make a physical visit to each institution to inform them of the death. Do not allow your husband to use your funds by transferring his name from the accounts or licenses of vehicles and property. Make any life insurance claims as soon as possible and hear what needs to be done for the accounts to be closed or claimed. Subsequent account modifications should now include updating all account beneficiaries.
Review Insurance Policies Provide information about any health, home, auto, and umbrella insurance policies that have been taken prior. Make sure that the coverage is continued during the probate stage. It is wise to have an additional insurance policy to help you cope with the loss of your husband’s earnings depending on your needs. Go over all the beneficiaries and adjust the forms stating that the spouse is deceased.
Update Your Budget This usually leads to a decline in the household income since one of the earners is gone and cannot contribute as before. If your husband was the chief provider, go over your budget plan now and cut costs where possible. Explain the fact that if you lost your spouse’s employer insurance coverage, you would have to factor in higher costs of health care. Any inheritance, life insurance, or retirement funds as and when they go through should be incorporated into the budget. It may be wise to consult a financial planner if you need to plan for your later life.
Changing the Ownership of Co-used Resources After informing all institutions of the demise of your husband, transfer properties and things you accumulated together but not titled as joint tenancy with rights of survivorship. These could include cars, houses, stocks, bonds, business entities, or investment products. Present death certificates as records that will enable the transfer of titles and deeds exclusively in your name. Inheritances can take weeks or months to complete this may still be ongoing.
It is important to file for SS survivor benefits so that you can be provided with an income if the worker passes on. If you are a widow over 60 years and your husband worked and contributed to Medicare And Social Security taxes for at least 10 years, you can apply for Social Security benefits. This is a Social Security disability claim and you must report the case to the Social Security Administration at the earliest opportunity. Provide passport photos along with the passport number of you and your spouse, marriage certificate, social security cards, and most recent income tax return. Minor children of the deceased may also be eligible for monthly benefits if they are not adults.
Consider Tax Changes Consult with a tax consultant or a professional who has undertaken filing of tax for survivorship changes to learn about the new status. There is a potential to file estate taxes or your annual return may be affected and could be much higher if you filed jointly before. Recognize tax factors and when is the inheritance received considered as taxable income. Make sure that the homes or any other property possessed are correctly assessed for the taxes in the future.
Make Final Arrangements There are other things you will have to arrange for your deceased loved one’s final physical remains, though you will be dealing with a funeral director to determine the details of the service. Will your husband take his last journey in a casket or shall his ashes be scattered? Have you a cemetery plot and have you taken it up fully? Are arrangements pre-paid? Maintain records of service plans that will be given to the executor of the particular service. There is no doubt that many widows can find solace in having these issues finalized as early as possible even though they may continue to mourn.
Take Care of Yourself Some of the most important and valuable tips that you have to memorize in this period are to take care of yourself. Rest well for your body to recuperate, feed on healthy foods, and avoid alcohol and other unhealthy products. It is good to let friends and family cook, go shopping for groceries, and give small chores to others so that you can take time to mourn. Consult a therapy professional if you are experiencing difficulties with the changes. It is always helpful to talk to people who are going through the same thing you are so consider joining a grief support group. Focus as much as you can on your physical recovery as you start your long journey after the death of your husband.
It is devastating when a woman loses her husband through death, or any other means considered to be irreparable in most societies. Although managing the financial, legal, and estate matters can be overwhelming at that emotional stage, there is no shame in doing it one at a time with the support of other caring family members. Use the help of lawyers, tax advisers, and other specialists in case you need it. Above all, have tolerance and ensure that there is sufficient time to mourn for the loss that you have incurred. By the grace of God, and the support of your families, friends, and colleagues, you will stand the test of this transition.
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