|
Post by Spock on Sept 19, 2014 13:39:59 GMT -6
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Sept 26, 2014 16:30:13 GMT -6
Got my brothers wallet and went through it to extract the credit cards to cancel them. Found a lot of business cards. Don't know if they are friends, business associates, care givers, or what. I will be creating an email to send to those with a listed email address and will mail a copy of the email to those without.
There were a couple of names with only a phone number. Guess I will have to call them to let them know.
Still don't have the death certificate, so cannot do anything "official".
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Sept 26, 2014 20:00:36 GMT -6
It can takes weeks to get a death certificate. And if they need to do an autopsy that delays it because they'll want to put a reason for the person's death on the certificate.
|
|
|
Post by Mini Mia on Sept 26, 2014 23:27:59 GMT -6
Sometimes a Google search on a phone number can lead to an email addy or snailmail address. It the person has a website.
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Sept 27, 2014 9:17:07 GMT -6
After mom died, the hospital kept sending bills (that we forwarded to Medicare) for nearly a year. I guess they weren’t getting their money quickly enough and thought we might pay the bills if they kept sending them. Mom was covered so we just kept forwarding the bills until they stopped coming.
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Sept 28, 2014 0:42:02 GMT -6
Finally got the death certificate. Now to try to get some notarized copies. Originals cost way too much, especially since I don't think there will be any "estate".
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Sept 28, 2014 7:49:50 GMT -6
Spock, before you pay for a bunch of notarized copies (unless the notary charges a flat fee for services and not a per page fee), find out the requirements of whoever it is to whom you're a sending a death certificate copy. Some companies only require a photocopy that needn't be original or notarized. I ordered 10 official copies of my brother's death certificate; I've still got about half of them left because many places only required a photocopy.
I'm not sure a notarized copy would be acceptable for those who require official copies, just as a notarized copy of a birth certificate is not an acceptable form of ID.
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Sept 28, 2014 15:39:37 GMT -6
Phalon's right Spock. You will need a few originals, but most places are willing to accept a photo copy. Insurance companies - if any are involved - will probably want an original, the VA for benefits they offer, as will banks (although banks and some organizations will generally make their own copy and give the original back). But if there are no legal/financial ramifications, anyone else should be okay with a copy. Also keep any financial statements as "someone" will have to file a tax return for the current year. And you'll want the titles to any vehicles, boats, etc. I've heard recommendations that people should get 10 just to be sure but as Phalon mentioned - that could be too many - especially if the estate is not extensive.
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Sept 30, 2014 22:24:12 GMT -6
My wife had the good sense to suggest we go talk to a lawyer. I have free legal advice available, unfortunately the soonest we could get an appointment was on the 21st of October. Maybe they will be able to do the copies for me while we're there. I keep thinking it would be simpler to just ignore everything. Any "undelivered" mail still in his P.O. box will be returned to sender when the rental runs out. I don't care if they cut of his power or other utilities. I don't even care if everything he owns goes up in flames! What use are "things" without the connections? My only thought was that I would try to make things easier for others but if I get an ulcer while doing it, why bother? I still haven't heard anything about probate. I'm fairly sure he didn't have a will but am also fairly sure he didn't have enough of an estate to quibble over. What to do? What to do?
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 1, 2014 19:09:49 GMT -6
What to do indeed. Spock, what you do depends on what you can deal with I guess. There's a joke to the effect that friends go to the funeral, but good friends go to your home and erase stuff on your computer. It's always possible your brother had something he would have preferred never saw the light of day - it's up to you to decide if you wish to go through his papers and ensure that doesn't happen. As for the mail, you can mark it all deceased and put it back in the mail box. The postman should take it back or will forward it to the address specified by the executor/estate manager. Much of it will probably be tossed by the post office as junk mail, but first class mail will normally be returned to the sender. The postmaster and you can have the junk stopped.
I have a few people whom I call friend and mean more than acquaintance. I told one of them just a few years ago that I'd look for a memento - something small that will be a persistent reminder of that person. As time goes on, you'll appreciate the unobtrusive reminder. Yes, I know you've experienced this situation before - and you're going to do what is right for you - that's as it should be. I tell everyone that if you care about the person, look for something you can keep. What to do with the rest? Once you are comfortable that nothing important will be lost - pictures of family, forgotten emergency money in a cookie jar, etc. - perhaps Good Will would be an acceptable disposal option.
And if it's possible, share the burden. Talk to friends & other people you trust and get their opinions. You don’t have to do it alone.
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 1, 2014 19:14:32 GMT -6
He didn't have his mail delivered to his physical address but to a P.O. box. In order to go through it, I would have to have it forwarded here.
He lived in central Florida, I live in central Maryland.
His computer is not working but I have had someone box up all his paperwork, computer, etc so that it will be waiting for me if I'm able to get down there to get it. The only thing I would want from his computer would be his email address list so I can notify any of his correspondents that he will no longer be contacting them ... via email.
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Oct 1, 2014 19:20:42 GMT -6
Ah. I did not catch that he was in a different state.
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 2, 2014 11:51:59 GMT -6
Ah. I did not catch that he was in a different state. Of course he's in a different state! I'm still alive.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Oct 3, 2014 21:33:53 GMT -6
Ok, Spock, that made me chuckle.
|
|
|
Post by Spock on Oct 3, 2014 22:24:26 GMT -6
What? Did I say something funny?
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Oct 4, 2014 6:18:51 GMT -6
Yes.
|
|