If my wife recently passed away and we owned everything jointly, is there anything else I need do to “wrap up her affairs”?
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If my wife recently passed away and we owned everything jointly, is there anything else I need do to “wrap up her affairs”?
I’ve already notified the insurance company.
Asked on May 26, 2014 under Estate Planning, California
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry for your loss. If everything was jointly held then it passed to you automatically at the time of her death. Life insurance passes outside an estate meaning that it need not be probated if there is a named beneficiary (which I am assuming is you). You may want at some point in time to change everything in to your name so that there is no extra step in probating your estate when the time comes. Good luck.
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