Open/Close Menu We provide comprehensive planning to manage and protect clients’ assets for their family and other beneficiaries. We invite you to contact us for a consultation to learn how we may be able to help you with your estate planning needs, business succession planning or probate/trust administration matters.

Axis Estate Planning
Trusted. Thoughtful. Here for what matters most.

Losing a loved one is one of life’s most heartbreaking experiences. When that loss is sudden, the combination of grief, shock, and responsibility can feel overwhelming. At Axis Estate Planning, we understand how difficult those first few days can be—and we’re here to help guide you through the steps you need to take to protect your loved one’s legacy and bring some sense of order to a disorienting time.

 

1. Obtain the Death Certificate

The death certificate is a critical document and the foundation for nearly every legal and financial process that follows—from closing accounts to filing insurance claims to opening probate.

If your loved one passed away in a medical facility or was under hospice care, the staff will typically manage this step. If the death occurred at home, call 911 to begin the official process.

Axis Estate Planning recommends ordering 10–15 certified copies to avoid delays later in the estate administration process.

 

2. Notify Family, Friends, and Employers

Begin by informing close family members, friends, and your loved one’s employer. While emotionally difficult, this step is necessary to start managing their affairs.

Employers will need to handle payroll, benefits, and internal communications. If your loved one had a social media presence, you may also consider posting a memorial message or using their accounts to notify others.

At Axis Estate Planning, we often advise clients to prepare a short, consistent message to simplify this process during a time of emotional strain.

 

3. Locate or Make Funeral and Memorial Arrangements

If your loved one made prior arrangements—such as pre-paid funeral plans or written preferences—these documents will ease your decisions during this emotional time.

Look for:

  • Funeral contracts

  • Burial or cremation instructions

  • Cultural or religious requests

  • Military or service organization honors

If no plans were made, families will need to make arrangements together. Local funeral homes or spiritual leaders can help you honor your loved one’s wishes with compassion. If you’re unsure how these decisions intersect with the estate process, Axis Estate Planning can offer clarity and support.

 

4. Secure the Home and Property

It’s easy to overlook practical matters in the midst of grief, but securing your loved one’s home and belongings is important.

We recommend the following steps:

  • Change locks and safeguard valuables

  • Redirect mail to prevent accumulation

  • Arrange for care of pets or plants

  • Notify trusted neighbors or local law enforcement if the home will be vacant

As part of our services, Axis Estate Planning helps clients create a checklist tailored to their loved one’s unique situation.

 

5. Locate the Will or Estate Planning Documents

The presence—or absence—of an estate plan will dictate the legal steps that follow. Begin by looking for a will, trust, or letter of instruction. These documents are often stored in a safe, filing cabinet, or at the office of an estate planning attorney.

If you find materials prepared by Axis Estate Planning, please contact our office immediately so we can assist in honoring your loved one’s wishes efficiently and respectfully.

If no plan is found, the estate will follow Michigan’s intestate succession laws, and the court will determine how property is distributed. This process can be more time-consuming and may not reflect what your loved one would have wanted.

 

6. Lean on Legal Support for the Next Steps

Navigating probate, managing debt, transferring assets, and fulfilling tax obligations are complex responsibilities that fall to surviving family members—often during a period of profound grief.

That’s why Axis Estate Planning exists: to provide expert legal support with compassion, helping you carry out your loved one’s final wishes while protecting your own peace of mind.

Whether you’ve been named as an executor or are simply unsure of what to do next, we can guide you through each step with clarity and care.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone

Grief doesn’t follow a schedule, and healing can take time. While there’s no easy path through loss, there is guidance, and there is support.

Axis Estate Planning is here to stand beside you—not just for legal answers, but for the peace of knowing your loved one’s legacy is being handled with dignity, respect, and thoughtful attention to detail.

 

Need support navigating a recent loss?

You don’t have to go through this alone. The team at Axis Estate Planning is here to help you take the next step—one at a time, at your pace.

Visit Us: 900 Wilshire Drive, Suite 105, Troy, MI 48084
Call Us: (248) 251-1001
Learn More: www.axisattorneys.com

*Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

© 2024 Axis Estate Planning | Sitemap | Privacy Policy
Our clients benefit from the judgment and experience of attorneys who deliver the highest quality legal services including Guardianship, Living Trust, Wills and Trusts, Estate Planning, Revocable Trust, Elder Law, Asset Protection, Durable Power of Attorney, Elder Care Attorney, Wills and Estate Planning, Estate Trust, Medicaid Application Assistance, Conservatorship, Estate Tax Planning, Probate Trust Administration, Long Term Care Planning, Probate Law, and more
Secret Link