Just starting the process of performing the role of an Executor for my recently passed Mom. She died unexpectedly but at least in a peaceful way--sleeping in her recliner with her cat in her lap.
Given the demographics of this Forum I suspect there is a lot of learning from similar experiences in this group. The sheer volume regulatory protocol has been a bit amazing. Forms for everything.
Some initial insight comes from finding out to just begin the role of Executor I have to complete paper work and appear before the Court in order to be "certified" as the Executor. Learned a new phrase--Letter of Testamentary. This is one of those documents that everybody and their mother wants a copy before you can do any business as the Executor. Vanguard will not release funds we set aside to meet her end of life expenses until they get the Letter and a Certified Death Certificate. We are moving at a pretty good pace but the process will take at least three weeks if we are lucky--meanwhile bills remain unpaid.
Also discovered in the process of filing a claim on a small whole life policy that shares issued when the life insurance demutualized some years back are sitting in the previous state's unclaimed property records. Where I also found remanents of her former husband's estate also sitting. Lots of special forms for these guys as well. One of the most interesting requirements is that I prove with correspondence or bill that she actually lived at the address shown when the property went to the state. (this will be interesting since it was a temporary apt which I did know she even lived).
Couple of "lessons" so far.
Make
Given the demographics of this Forum I suspect there is a lot of learning from similar experiences in this group. The sheer volume regulatory protocol has been a bit amazing. Forms for everything.
Some initial insight comes from finding out to just begin the role of Executor I have to complete paper work and appear before the Court in order to be "certified" as the Executor. Learned a new phrase--Letter of Testamentary. This is one of those documents that everybody and their mother wants a copy before you can do any business as the Executor. Vanguard will not release funds we set aside to meet her end of life expenses until they get the Letter and a Certified Death Certificate. We are moving at a pretty good pace but the process will take at least three weeks if we are lucky--meanwhile bills remain unpaid.
Also discovered in the process of filing a claim on a small whole life policy that shares issued when the life insurance demutualized some years back are sitting in the previous state's unclaimed property records. Where I also found remanents of her former husband's estate also sitting. Lots of special forms for these guys as well. One of the most interesting requirements is that I prove with correspondence or bill that she actually lived at the address shown when the property went to the state. (this will be interesting since it was a temporary apt which I did know she even lived).
Couple of "lessons" so far.
Make