After a death, who must be notified?
Posted on Wed, May. 07, 2008
Q. My husband is alive but isn't in good health. Each time we go to the emergency room, I wish I had a list of whom I must notify, should it become necessary. Would Action Line have such a list?
-- Lisa S., Bay Harbor Islands
A. ''Every person's situation is different, and there really is no `one size fits all' checklist of entities to notify of a death,'' probate lawyer Lenore Schiller told us.
To determine who needs to be contacted -- and whether you'll need to open a probate case in order to access any of your husband's assets -- your best bet is to have a probate lawyer guide you through it all.
''That said, it seems prudent to notify a State of Florida Driver's License bureau, a voter's registration office, a passport office (if applicable) and a credit reporting agency such as Experian to help avoid identity theft problems,'' Schiller said.
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