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For instance, if the decedentвЂ™s cause of death is incorrect, this can impact the payment of certain benefits. It is important to determine that all of the information on the death certificate is correct. In New Jersey, correcting a death certificate can take upwards of six months. If a mistake is made on the death certificate, it is easier to have it corrected early as opposed to finding the mistake later. Jillian should be sure to review her husbandвЂ™s Social Security Number, domicile, date of death and cause of death. Often mistakes are made on death certificates that can unduly delay the administration of the estate. When Jillian receives the first certified copies of WilliamвЂ™s death certificate (usually from the funeral director), it is extremely important for Jillian to review this document thoroughly. It is important to keep in mind that whomever pays this expense will be reimbursed from the estate. However, this will depend on the funeral director. In many instances, a funeral director may permit the delay of the payment of the funeral until the will has been probated. If this is not an option, a family member should pay for the funeral.

A question that often arises is: вЂњHow do we pay for the funeral?вЂќ Because we donвЂ™t want Jillian to lose the benefit of any potential post mortem planning, it would be wise for her to pay the funeral expenses out of assets that are in her individual name. While a family, like the Ashbys, is mourning, their attorney can advise them about a variety of legal and non-legal issues.ДЇirst, the family should take care of the funeral arrangements. Families are at their most vulnerable when mourning the loss of a loved one and it is often difficult for them to focus on the issues that need to be addressed.ДЄn experienced trust and estate practitioner can be an invaluable resource to a family during this difficult time. Although we all know that death is inevitable, it is always a shock. On June 30, 2007, at age 85, William passed away. William and Jillian lived in Bergen County, NJ their entire lives.

Our fictitious family, William and Jillian Ashby, were married in 1942 and had three children: Benjamin (age 63), Abigail (age 61) and Hannah (age 57).

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In order to address some of these issues, we will be publishing a series of articles pertaining to a fictitious family which will illustrate some of these issues and concerns. Many of our clients come to us with questions when a friend or family member passes away. Meet the Ashbys: A Lesson in Estate Administration Summer 2007 Cole Schotz Docket Attorney: Tishya M.

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