Post-Death Strategies

At the moment of death, a bunch of financial, tax-saving, strategic opportunities start.

So before you say “There’s nothing to be done, they’re dead,” hold on: often there are things to save money and redirect assets.

You increase those opportunities if certain terms go in documents before the death. (This could mean looking at your parents' wills, and those terms won’t affect their independence in any way.)

But even without those terms, things can be done.

So after a death, before you shift any assets, change names on accounts, file for insurance, or take over joint accounts, come hear the ground rules. Moving the dead person’s assets can cut off much of what you can do.

Want some examples? See

• You Need Us When Someone Dies.