Flat-Fee Probate Assistance Statewide
Survivor Guide
Assisting you during this difficult time
This guide is written with the intention of assisting you during this difficult time. In the course of your efforts to settle the deceased's estate you may discover issues that need to be attended to that are not addressed in this guide. We encourage you to ask questions of the deceased's close friends and relatives to ensure that you are fully informed of the deceased's assets, debts, pending lawsuits, and any other outstanding matters that may need attention.
Important Phone Numbers
Veterans Administration
1-800-827-1000Civil Service Personnel Management Office
1-888-767-6738DFAS Casualty Assistance Office (Cleveland)
1-800-269-5170Office of Servicemembers Life Insurance
1-800-419-1473Issues to Consider When Dealing with the Decedent's Estate
- 1
Contact all applicable insurance companies
Contact auto, life, and health insurance companies. You will need:
- Policy number and/or social security number of deceased
- Full name of the deceased
- Date and cause of death
- Certified copy of death certificate
- 2
Search for unknown life insurance or annuity policies
If you believe the deceased may have had life insurance and/or annuities but do not know with which company, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers a free policy locator service at eapps.naic.org.
- 3
Obtain certified copies of the death certificate
Request approximately 10 certified copies of the death certificate (most without cause of death). Check with the funeral home director for assistance.
- 4
Locate the original Last Will and Testament
Consult with an attorney to determine what actions must be taken. Check for an established trust.
- 5
Contact the Veterans Administration
Check for applicable benefits for the deceased and/or surviving spouse and dependent children. You will need:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Copy of your marriage certificate (spouses only)
- Copies of the birth certificate for dependent children
- 6
If the deceased was retired military
Contact the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (Cleveland, OH) Casualty Assistance Line to report the death and check for survivor annuity (SBP, RSFPP). You will need:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Copy of your marriage certificate (spouses only)
- Copies of the birth certificate for dependent children
- 7
Contact Social Security for survivor benefits
You will need: certified copy of the death certificate, Social Security numbers of the deceased and spouse/dependents, birth certificates for spouse and dependent children, and approximate earnings of the deceased in the past year/last employer.
- If monthly benefits were being paid via direct deposit, notify the bank of the beneficiary's death. Request that any funds received for the month of death and later be returned to Social Security as soon as possible.
- If benefits were being paid by check, do NOT cash any checks received for the month in which the beneficiary died or thereafter. Return the checks to Social Security as soon as possible.
- A one-time payment of $255 is payable to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the beneficiary at the time of death, or if living apart, was eligible for Social Security benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record for the month of death. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who was eligible for benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record in the month of death.
- 8
Contact the deceased's employer
Check for possible group insurance or additional benefits.
- 9
Civil Service employees
Contact the Civil Service Office of Personnel Management if the deceased was an active or retired employee of the Civil Service.
- 10
Home and real estate loans
Contact the holder of home/real estate loans for possible mortgage insurance coverage.
- 11
Notify all creditors
Notify all creditors of the deceased's estate of the death. Check on credit life insurance.
- 12
Banks, credit unions, and credit card companies
Contact these institutions for any insurance coverage on loans. Check on savings and checking accounts.
- 13
Contact all three major credit reporting agencies
They will add a "deceased" indicator to the credit file to deter anyone from opening a new account in the decedent's name.
- 14
Fraternal organizations and associations
Contact any fraternal organizations or associations the deceased may have been a member of for assistance and to determine benefits.
- 15
Review financial paperwork
Review check stubs, canceled checks, stocks and bonds, real estate documents, safe deposit boxes, etc.
Caution: Do not open any safe deposit boxes without first consulting with an attorney. - 16
If you are the surviving spouse
Review your own life insurance policies to ensure that ownership and beneficiary designations are still current. Review your present amount of coverage and type of insurance with a financial professional.
- 17
Check Florida's Division of Unclaimed Property
If the deceased was a Florida resident, check with the State of Florida's Division of Unclaimed Property at fltreasurehunt.gov to see if any funds are currently held in the decedent's name and now owed to their estate. Note: If the deceased was widowed, be sure to also check if their predeceased spouse is owed funds.
The hiring of a Florida probate attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This site is designed to provide general information only. Content on this site should not be interpreted as specific legal advice, or the formation of an attorney/client relationship.
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