LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

If you need help understanding what comes next, a good place to start is reviewing our Survivor Checklist. It's a guide to common next steps and financial responsibilities following loss. You can also call our Survivor Relations Team at 800-292-8294. We're available Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.

A will is a document that allows a person to communicate their wishes for distribution of their assets after their death. If you die without a will, your estate will go through the probate process to distribute your assets.

Probate is a court proceeding. It can validate a will and approve or deny the named executor. It may also assist in the process of distributing estate assets.

A will doesn't govern the distribution of any asset that has not already gone through the probate process. Also, a will won't cover anything that passes by title, by beneficiary designation or through a trust.

A trust is a document that allows you to pass control of assets to a trustee. The trustee will manage the assets as designated in the trust. The trustee can be the same person as the trustor. Although there's no rule for who does or doesn't need a trust, it's an effective way to control what happens to your assets after death.

Once the person who creates the power dies, the power of attorney ends.