When a loved one dies, a number of actions need to be taken. During estate administration, the executor or personal representative must handle numerous tasks outlined in Texas law. In many cases, a surviving spouse will more than likely need to work with an estate administrator in order to take care of several issues that may not be quite so obvious.
For instance, a surviving spouse who is the beneficiary of a retirement account will need to determine how to obtain the funds without incurring significant tax liability. Certain distributions may be required that would not have caused a taxable event for the deceased spouse, but could for the surviving one. Health insurance could also be an issue if the employer of the spouse who passed away covered the spouse.
If the individual died as the result of an accident, the possibility of filing a wrongful death claim may also bear consideration. If the decedent was an organ donor, this issue will also require attention. Life insurance policy claims will need attention as well. His or her employer will also need notification, and issues such as earned but unpaid income, bonuses and more will need resolving.
These are just some of the issues that need addressing during estate administration that may not cross the minds of those involved right away. Failing to take care of some of these issues could prove costly to the estate, the executor and the beneficiaries. This is just one reason why numerous Texas residents decide to work with attorneys with experience in this area of law.