Losing a Loved One

Home Inventories help to prepare us for when tragedy strikes. The death of a loved one certainly falls within this realm. While unable to relieve the grief experienced by survivors, a Good Home Inventory can help alleviate stress by providing a central location for the decedent's important estate documents, financial statements, insurance policies, and heir designation of personal property.

In his article "Losing a Loved One", Rande Spiegelman, VP of Financial Planning at Schwab Center for Investment Research, has written a list of important procedures to consider during this emotional time. Mr. Spiegelman urges caution in making financial decisions and to be wary of criminal predators who scan obituaries seeking empty homes to burglarize. Mr. Spiegelman also reminds us to keep our own financial and estate planning affairs in order - he cites that after a certain time period, unclaimed assets resulting from a death by law become assets of the state - New York state holds $7.2 billion in unclaimed funds and California holds $4.8 billion!

A Home Inventory by DHI can help organize all of your important documents and property.