When we lose a spouse
Excerpted from Don Jackson’s STAR article
Upon the stressful event of losing a loved one, here is a list of important items to address.
[see also the Legal Responsibilities When Someone Dies, published by Colorado Legal Education, Inc.]
Notify Lockheed Martin
- contact the Lockheed Martin Service Center by phone at: 1-866-562-2363 (for hearing impaired is 1-800-833-8334) to report the loss.
- You
will need to have the deceased individual’s social security number and
date of death available in order to report the event.
- A
case manager will be assigned to assist the beneficiary through the
process and will send a letter regarding what documentation will be
required. In addition, the beneficiary may contact the case manager
regarding any other questions he/she might have.
Checklist Of Some Other Major Areas You Will Need To Address:
- Notify your spouse’s creditors.
- Prepare
an inventory of the estate. This involves obtaining copies of the most
recent will/trust; certified copies of the death certificate from the
funeral director (six minimum); collect insurance policies, and
marriage license; spouse’s social security number, veterans affairs
number and record, if applicable; a list of employer fringe benefits,
and the last three years tax returns.
- Verify that spouse’s credit accounts, mortgage payments, utility bills, etc., have all been kept up to date.
- Contact estate attorney, if applicable.
- Advise the executor of the estate if there is one.
- Contact banks, verify checking and savings accounts and safety deposit box(es).
- Arrange
with the executor to inventory the contents of any safety deposit box
held by your spouse and determine which if any may be removed with
receipt.
- Notify the casualty insurance brokerage to modify casualty and homeowner insurance as necessary.
- Locate securities and contact security broker to arrange re-titling of securities, if necessary.
- Have the executor adjust ownership of any insurance policies on lives of others owned by your spouse.
- Have the executor re-title real estate that was owned by your spouse.
- Visit
the nearest office in person and take with you the social security
number of your spouse, a certified copy of the death certificate, and
proof of your relationship (i.e. Marriage License and your spouse’s
birth certificate).
- Make sure you follow-up with the Social Security Office if benefits are not corrected within 60 days of your visit.
Veteran’s Benefits:
You
may also be eligible for certain veteran’s benefits. To determine your
eligibility or to file your claim, write to the Department of Veterans
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington D.C. 20402, or call (202)
872-1151. If you live within close proximity of a military base,
contact their Casualty Assistance Office for assistance. You must
submit the following documents:
- Veteran’s discharge papers.
- A certified copy of the death certificate.
- Itemized funeral bill with receipt of payment.
There may also be veteran’s benefits from your state or county of residence.
Insurance and Fringe benefits:
Contact
the insurance company(s) agents if applicable, obtaining the necessary
death claim forms. Return the forms, along with a certified copy of the
death certificate and a copy of the insurance policy.
If
a spouse is covered by an employer’s fringe benefits, contact the
employee benefits department, and request a list of death benefits that
are payable and how they are paid, i.e. lump sum or other methods. Lump
sum distribution should be studied for investment strategies.
Determine
what documentation the employer needs. At the same time you, the
surviving spouse, should review your insurance coverage and revise it,
if necessary. You should also review your estate plan and planning
documents, etc., and revise if necessary.
Using
the above named sources, resources and processes should provide an
added level of protection and a shield against fraud during a difficult
time. Having a complete set of information in a secure place ahead of
time will expedite the overall process