Do's and Don'ts after someone dies
Once the immediate task of appointing a funeral director is completed, there are some immediate Do's and Don'ts on administrative matters that are useful to know.
DO NOT :
- DO NOT tell their bank. You are under no legal obligation to tell the bank until you receive the official Death Certificate (which takes at least two weeks). The reason is that the bank will freeze the deceased persons' accounts and can also freeze any joint accounts they hold with their spouse.
- DO NOT drive their vehicles. This may invalidate insurance until ownership has been transferred
- DO NOT give away any items/possessions. Immediately after someone dies is not the time to start dividing things up. Some people may say "but they promised this thing to me". There are processes and procedures for distributing things afterwards.
- Do NOT sell any of their personal assets. There may be ramifications in doing so and sometimes very difficult to unwind.
DO :
- DO inform Centrelink. Do this within a day or two if they are receiving a pension, either by calling 132 300 or using the Centrelink form SA116A.
- DO think about who else to inform. After their death, you will certainly notify immediate family. Also thin about extended family members, old friends, neighbours, solicitor or financial advisor.
After someone dies it is a difficult time and there are plenty of decisions to be made. It can be a tricky path to tread.
Be sure not to get bullied or forced into anything.
Always seek the right advise from the right people.
Every person is unique. Every family is different.
With us, every Funeral is Individual.
Contact Northern Beaches Funerals at any time :
-- 0455 285 041
-- info@northernbeachesfunerals.com.au