While nothing can take away your pain after the death of a family member or loved one, having your financial and legal affairs in order can provide some peace of mind during this difficult time. Military OneSource provides tools and services to simplify and ease the process.

Understand the probate process

When a loved one dies, you may go through a court proceeding called probate, the legal process by which a person’s final debts are settled and legal title to property is passed from the deceased to heirs. Since the probate process can be a little overwhelming, it may help to remember these four steps:

  1. The probate hearing
  2. Collection and inventory of assets
  3. Review and payment of bills, taxes, expenses and creditors
  4. Formal transfer of remaining estate property

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Claim your tax and Social Security benefits

A critical step in organizing your finances after a death is understanding your survivor tax and Social Security benefits. Several of the benefits paid out to families of deceased service members are tax free. These include Social Security benefits, death gratuities, burial benefits, and Department of Veterans Affairs pension and compensation payments.

In addition to the Social Security lump-sum death payment, there are other monthly benefits for eligible surviving family members. Visit https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ for the details. The following resources also provide more information on those benefits.

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Plan your finances

Mapping your financial future can be a bit of a puzzle when you’re trying to figure out benefits. Be sure to use the interactive Online Survivor Benefits Report to view current and estimated future benefits and to help you set up saving and spending plans in order to forecast your financial future.

If you need assistance accessing your report or have questions about your benefits, direct inquiries to the OSBR Family Assistance Support Team at 877-827-2471. The Defense Department’s “A Survivor’s Guide to Benefits” is also a practical resource that provides the information you’ll need to adjust your financial plans. And financial counselors are always available through Military OneSource.

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Identify your insurance and survivor benefit payments

As a survivor, you may be entitled to receive Survivor Benefit Plan payments. The amount received is based on the number of their active-duty service years at the time of their death. You may want to know about the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, for which service members may pay life insurance premiums from their monthly income.

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