1. What Do I Do Now?
Next steps to consider when you’ve lost a loved one
April 2015 by Kristine Porcaro, Co-Founder Lexington Wealth Management
Don’t feel rushed or pressured. Taking time to mourn is necessary, but many of us feel
the need to get ”stuff” done. If that’s the case, start here.
Get some help!
• Reach out to your advisors. If you don’t have one you trust or feel comfortable
enough to help you through this time, find someone you do. Ask your friends,
professional contacts, or give Lexington Wealth a call. Unfortunately, we have
dealt with the loss of a loved one and can point you in the right direction for
resources.
Gather your documents
• Anything you think might be important or are not sure, like bank statements,
check books, marriage documents, accounts statements, wills, trusts, and
anything that comes in the mail the next few months. Start a pile that your
advisors can help you go through.
Open the mail and check emails
• Many of us still get paper statements for mortgages, loans, bills, etc. But, many
of us also receive these things electronically or via email. Be sure to watch for
these items.
Get copies of the death certificates
• Get more copies than you think you’ll need, but be certain to review it for correct
information and spelling, many times there are mistakes which can be frustrating.
Make some calls
• You’ll need to call social security or go online at www.ssa.gov to see if you qualify
for benefits or call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for Publication No. 05-10084: Social
Security Survivor Benefits.
Call the bank of your loved one.
Call your loved one’s employer or former employer to ask about benefits, life
insurance companies, other insurance companies, possibly the veterans’
administration, and several other entities.
Call the utilities companies and service providers. Be sure to remove your love
one’s name so you don’t have any problems down the road if you need to make
a change in service.

2. Close those Credit Cards
• Be sure to close any credit card accounts in your loved one’s name and notify a
credit-reporting agency like Experian.
Cancel those club memberships
• If there are any health club or golf club memberships many require a 30-day
written cancelation notice. Be sure to call and do this so your not paying for
anything you are not using.
Check online accounts
• Hopefully, you will have logins and password to any online accounts (e.g.,
PayPal, Amazon, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, dropbox, photo sites) so you can
close anything or be sure accounts are behaving as they should.
Collect other documents
• You’ll eventually need car titles, and property deeds, so look around for these
things. If you can’t find them they are available and your advisors can help.
Call you local charities or church
• When it’s time to go through some personal belongings many folks in need can
use some of these simple items.
Meet with your Financial Advisor
• You will have to rollover IRA’s, distribute retirement accounts, possibly sell some
assets, plan for your future and they can help with all of this.
Call your Estate Attorney and CPA
• They can help with any state requirements/filings, obtaining tax id numbers and
updating your estate documents, etc.
Start to review your cash flow
• Postpone any big financial decisions, but know your situation, what income is
coming from what sources and what needs to be going out for expenses. This
will help you to begin to plan for your future.
Remember all of this is a process and it will take time. Don’t put to much pressure on
yourself. Take a break occasionally, visit family or friends and be prepared, once all of
the “stuff “is done you may be feeling like “now what”. Keeping yourself busy is a great
mechanism for healing. Now it’s time to find something fun to do for you. Join a book
club, a support group or an exercise group. What ever works for you, just get out there
and live!