The Paperwork

After your husband has died,you will find herself faced with an immense amount of paperwork. To be sure that you receive all the benefits that you are entitled to, collect up the following papers and put them a folder that is at hand. At this time in your life, it is easy to lose things.

Make a place on your desk or in your kitchen that you devote to only this kind of paperwork. Several folders labeled differently help a great deal. Every woman will have different files, but basically things such as ”house,” “car,” ”social security,” “insurance,” and so on will be a good beginning. I also kept one labeled “funeral home” to keep that paperwork separate.

These are the documents you will need. It might be good to print this list and keep a copy of it until you have all your paperwork together. This is not an all-inclusive list as everyone’s life has variables but these are papers you absolutely need to have on hand.

• Tax returns for at least two years.
• Your spouse’s will if one exists.
• Military discharge paperwork. The primary form you need is the DD214.
• Insurance policies for any life insurance that was purchased.
• Copies (both certified and Photostats) of the death certificate.
• Birth certificates for all family members.
• Your marriage license/certificate.
• Paperwork concerning any property you own (house, car, stocks, etc).
• Business paperwork if your spouse owned a business with or without you.
• Divorce papers if either you or your spouse were previously married.
• The originals and Photostats of your spouse’s driver’s license, social security card, military ID and any other ID cards.

As you begin wading through the financial quagmire of settling your husband’s estate or lack of one, these are all papers you will need. Having them on hand can reduce stress and worry. Do not give anyone originals of anything except for those companies and agencies (such as Social Security) that need the certified copy of the death certificate. Photostats will do for most things.

Keeping all of the important documents in one folder will make them easy to access, as you need them. As time goes by, you will develop a filing system that will work for you and your needs, but this is the best way to start as you reorganize your life. It is also advisable to leave these folders in a place that is not out in the open.  You need easy access to them but you also need your privacy and a sense of control. If need be, a locked file cabinet can be purchased for around $30.00 and can keep prying eyes out of your personal business.

Some simple steps at the beginning as outlined above can help as you find your sense of self. It is difficult to grieve and be a financial manager but unfortunately there is no way around this so help yourself as much as you can. You will be able to do this and as you gain confidence you will find you have protected yourself, your family and started a process of taking care of yourself, as your husband would have wanted.