Mortgage or Rent
Mortgage Information
If you have a mortgage, your Executor/Executrix will need to contact the mortgage company regarding your death.
Any disruption to scheduled mortgage payments - whether it is an account change or the mortgage company should expect payment from a third party - needs to be addressed immediately.
Also consider that there may be more than one mortgage company, in which case, each mortgage company must be notified, and appropriate actions arranged and confirmed.
If the mortgage payments are not automatically debited from the deceased's checking account, then the Executor/Executrix must ensure that these payments are continued.
If "mortgage insurance" is involved - usually taken out by younger homeowners - chances are that this insurance will pay off the mortgage, and the property will become part of the assets of the estate, with no liens.
If you are not sure - check with the mortgage company (or companies).
Rental Issues
In the situation where the deceased was renting a property, the premises must be vacated within the same month as the deceased's passing.
If the Executor/ Executrix or person-in-charge is unable to clear the dwelling that quickly, the rent must still be paid.
If this dwelling is in an adult residential community, the community management will notify you as to when they will expect you to have the apartment cleared out.
Note, "clearing out" means not only the apartment space, but also any allocated storage space in the building used for personal belongings.
You may also need to check on rented garage space and parking rules - particularly with apartment buildings.
With my friend's estate, the management company of the senior community was quite firm on the date for clearing out all belongings - with no room for negotiation.
Other Considerations for Renters
Expect that any landlord/owner will also have a check list, for the conditions of the dwelling upon vacating the premises.
In your planning document, provide your Executor/Executrix with the following details:
- Landlord name and contact information
- Copy of the lease agreement
- Information on any garage space that is rented and or accounted for in a sparate charge or possibly as part of your maintenance bill.
If the Executor/ Executrix or Person-in-Charge is unable to clear the dwelling that quickly, the rent must still be paid.
Additional Critical Information to provide:
For some areas, cars need stickers and/or parking permits.
It will be critical for the executor/executrix to know, especially if your death occurs near an expiry date for said permit/sticker.
More on Real Estate
Home Security
The Police should be notified if the deceased was living independently. Irrespective of whether or not someone will continue to reside in the home, for security purposes let the police know of the death.
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First Steps
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Step-by-step guide to what to do first. Calls, paperwork, Care Arrangements, etc.
Funerals, Etc.
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Next hurdle -how to handle financial records and accounts
Digital Footprint
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What you need to know to protect and eliminate the deceased's digital presence
Subscriptions
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Don't forget subscriptions, memberships and more...
Shared Stories
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Funny, helpful, special stories others have shared to help you through the process
Checklists
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For each section, download and personalize a ped checklist