Basic Legal Information
Basic Legal Information
After a death, there are many legal details to hammer out. While it is not necessary to get a lawyer, it is strongly recommended. A lawyer will make sure all the ‘t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted. The time following the death of a loved one is extremely emotional, and even the closest family will have disagreements over the most trivial matters. To make sure there is still peace in the family, it is a good idea to let a lawyer figure things out.
Before getting in touch with a lawyer, there are a few terms you may want to familiarize yourself with. Those include:
Wills
Everyone knows they should have a will, but the vast majority – about 70% of us – do not. Writing a will is easy and inexpensive, and once you are done, you can rest easy knowing your hard-earned money and property will be distributed according to your wishes. See More
Proof of Death's
A Certified Proof of Death is often required before many legal, financial, and administrative matters can be handled. Your funeral director can assist you in obtaining certified copies and answer any questions about when they may be needed. See More
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a document that gives the individual you have appointed in your will the ability to make binding decisions for you while you are living. The Power of Attorney's responsibilities end at the time of death, at which point the Executor's responsibilities begin. See More
Executors
An executor is the personal representative of your estate, responsible for managing assets, paying debts, notifying creditors, and distributing assets according to your will. These responsibilities can be complex, but assistance is available through our affiliate, RESOLVED Executor Services.
