A financial payment made to the estate of the deceased. Death benefits may come from an employer, government, insurance or veteran's organizations. Executors must be diligent and pursue these benefits for the estate. An executor should closely review the terms of the death benefit and seek legal assistance if required as there are many factors to consider: cause of death, named beneficiaries, service details and many others. Often these payments are received as a lump sum and while most death benefits are not subject to income tax, an executor should confirm that is the case in their estate's jurisdiction.
What you need to know
How to open a loved one’s safe deposit box after they die
Opening the safe deposit box of your spouse or other loved one isn’t as easy as driving down to the bank. States often require multiple forms, and the laws depend on where you live. To make things simple, we’ve listed every state and what they require so you can open a safe deposit box quickly and easily.
Find your state’s rulesIn collaboration with
In collaboration with
This could be you
Atticus values the expertise and professional experience of our partners and community of contributors. And we appreciate that's what makes the fiduciary industry so uniquely special.
After all, being a fiduciary isn't something that's just learned— it's a mindset that's demonstrated, tested and enduringly earned.
That's why Atticus is built around a community of passionate executors, attorneys, wealth advisors, probate clerks and other professional fiduciaries.
🤔 Who else are we missing? You!
Join our mission to support families through some of life's most difficult events as we foster financial literacy for fiduciary topics like probate, estate planning, estate administration & inheritance.
Everyone leaves a legacy... together, let's make the process easier.
