INDEX OF BOOKS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1: Grieving the Loss of a Spouse

Introduction
Stages of Grief, Common Reactions to Grief, It is Healthy to Grieve
Acknowledge the Loss: The Story of Beth
Acknowledge the Loss: The Story of Norman
Acknowledge the Loss: The Story of Susan
Acknowledge the Loss: The Story of John
Helping others Help you Grieve, The Importance of Self-Care, Beginning a New Life
Holidays and Special Occasions, Keeping the Memory of your Spouse Alive
In the End, This is your Journey.

CHAPTER 2: Getting Organized

Getting Started
Whom to Contact
Income Taxation of Inherited Property
Locating and Organizing Important Papers
Asset Inventory with Values Worksheet
Obtain Date of Death Value of all Assets
Determine your Expenses
Identify Available Sources of Cash Flow
Summary Checklist

CHAPTER 3: Navigating Social Security

History
Survivor Benefit Overview, Earnings Requirement
Social Security Benefit Amounts
Benefits from Two Accounts, Remarriage
How to Apply for Benefits.

Other Social Security Programs or Benefits: Lump Sum Death Payment, Medicare, Medigap Insurance, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Miscellaneous Social Security Issues: Benefit Estimate, Direct Deposit, Full Retirement Age Increases, Early Benefit Option Remains, Delayed Retirement, Automatic Cost of Living Adjustment, Annual Earnings Test, Divorced Spouse, Taxes, Government Pension Offset, Leaving the United States, Social Security Services are Free.

CHAPTER 4: Insurance Claims, Life, Health and Long Term Care.

Introduction, Locating Life Insurance Policies, Claim Procedure.

Settlement Options: Lump Sum, Life Income, Period Certain, Installment Refund, Fixed Period, Interest Only.

Determining your own life insurance needs.

Types of Life Insurance: Term Insurance, Whole Life, Universal Life, Variable Life, Tax Aspects.

Health Insurance: COBRA Coverage, MEDIGAP Coverage.

Long Term Care: Medicaid, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Conclusion.

CHAPTER 5: Putting your Financial House In-Order

Introduction.
Determine your Net Worth, Define your Goals.
Can you get there from here?

The Impact of Inflation: Investment Risk, Diversification, Tax Considerations, Your Financial Plan.

Understanding Investments: Guaranteed Investments, Money Market Account, Passbook Account, Certificate of Deposit, Treasury Bill, Bonds.

Equity Investments: Stocks, Mutual Funds.

Individual Stocks or Mutual Funds?: Load Versus No Load, Load Funds, No Load Funds.

Annuities: Deferred Annuities, Variable Annuities, Fixed Annuities, Market Indexed Annuities, Immediate Annuities, Real Estate, Tangible Investments, A Word of Caution.

Life Insurance and Retirement Distribution Options: Choosing a Financial Planner, Conclusion.

CHAPTER 6: IRA and Retirment Distributions

Introduction, The “Stretch” Philosophy, Rollover.
Required Minimum Distributions - RMDs.

Rolling Over Versus Not Rolling Over: Distributions at death before required beginning date, Distribution on death after RMDs have begun.

Post-Death Planning, Ten Year Averaging, Conclusion and Course of Action.

CHAPTER 7: Settling The Estate - Probate and Trust Administration

Introduction: How do you know when probate is required? Fiduciary Responsibilities.

Categorizing Assets - Assets passing by operation of law: Joint Ownership and Survivorship Rights, Assets passing by Beneficiary Designation, Assets passing through Probate, Assets owned in Trust, Applicable Law, Ongoing Administration.

Step One: Appointment of Fiduciary: Appointment of Personal Representative in Formal Probate, Appointment of Personal Representative in informal probate, Appointment of Trustee.

Step Two: Admission of Will: Admission of the Will in Formal Probate, Admission of the Will in Informal Probate, Admission of the Will in Trust Administration.

Step Three: Asset Inventory and Administration: Asset Inventory and Administration in Formal Probate, Asset Inventory and Administration in Informal Probate, Asset Inventory and Trust Administration, Family/Marital Trust Division, Best Income Tax Result, Best Estate Tax Result, The Problem and Solution.

Step Four: Dealing with creditors: Dealing with creditors in Formal Probate, Compromising Claims, Personal Liability of the Personal Representative, Creditors and informal probate, Dealing with creditors in trust administration.

Step Five: Making Final Decisions: Distribution of property in formal probate, Disinherited Spouse, Divisions of assets, Minors as beneficiaries, Procedure for Distribution, Distribution of property in informal probate, Small Probate Estate Procedures, Distribution of property in trust administration, Small Probate Estate Procedures, Compensation of Fiduciaries.

Conclusion: Finding a lawyer, Comparison Chart of Formal Probate, Informal Probate, and Trust Administration.

CHAPTER 8: Tax Reporting

Introduction.
FORM 1040, 1040 Estimated Tax Payments.
Replace SSN with new tax ID number.
Medical Expenses, Income Tax Deduction for Estate Tax Paid.
FORM 1041.
Avoiding the Tax Trap, Form K-1.
1041 Estimated tax payments, Costs of Administration.
You and your CPA
Form 706, Disclaimer, State Inheritance Tax.
Gifts and Form 709.
Other Records, Word to the Wise, Record Retention, Choosing a CPA.

CHAPTER 9: Basic Estate Planning

Introduction, Last Will and Testament.
Durable Powers of Attorney, Revocable Trusts.
How to get started: Choose Fiduciaries, Name Beneficiaries, Control from the grave.
Joint Ownership as a Trust Substitute.
Funding your revocable trust:
Real Estate, Qualified Plans and IRAs, Personal Property, Often Missed Items.
Planning to avoid estate tax.
Gifting, Special Needs Trusts for Disabled Children and Elderly Parents.

CHAPTER 10: Advanced Estate Planning

Introduction.
Irrevocable Trusts.
Family Limited Liability Companies.
Charitable Transfers and Charitable Remainder Trusts.
Additional Options: Pooled Income Fund, Gift Annuity, Charitable Lead Trusts, Wealth Replacement Trusts.

CHAPTER 11: Prenuptial Agreements.

Prenuptial Agreements. Planning ahead of time.

CHAPTER 12: Losing Independence

Introduction.
Medicare and Private Pay.
Medicare, Divestment, Spousal Protection.
Planning Techniques and Strategies.

CHAPTER 13: Making Funeral Arrangements

Introduction.
Choosing a funeral home, Funeral Costs.
The arrangement conference, Itemized statement.
The Funeral Rule, Obituaries and Death Notices.
Cremation, Caskets, Urns, Vaults and Grave Liners.
The Funeral Service, Visitation, The Service, Interment.
Cemeteries, Alternative Plans, Pre-Planning.
TRACT - An excerpt from The Undertaking Life Studies from the Dismal Trade by Thomas Lynch

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
P. Mark Accettura, Esq., Samuel A. Hurwitz, Esq. (Chapter Seven),
Steven J. Case, CLU, ChFC, CFP, CDP (Chapter Six), Lynn Gross, Esq.,
Dorothy E. Deremo, President and CEO, Hospice of Michigan (Chapter One),
Thomas Lynch, Doreen Benson (Chapter Three),
James M. Knaus, CLU, ChFC, CFP (Chapter Four),

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This information would not have been possible without the help, support, ideas, research and editing of my family, friends and colleagues. With love and gratitude to my wife Amy, who helped me pull the whole thing together. Many thanks to our graphic artists, Jillian Blume who is the inspiration and perspiration behind the books layout and design. Thank you, Keith Tishken, my old college friend for the interior photography.
Thank you, James Jenkins, CPA and staff for your help with Chapter Eight, Tax Reporting. I thank my clients for their patience over the last several months of writing, and to Kimberly Rapp, Lynn Gross and Samuel Hurwitz for their input and help while I wandered around in a daze trying to juggle home, practice and Lost and Found. I thank the many people who lent their professional expertise and insight including: Margaret Cotter (Grief), Mark Ziegler (Funerals) and Peg Reimer (Funerals).

LOST AND FOUND:<br>Finding Self-Reliance after the loss of a spouse.<br>by P. Mark Accettura, Esq.

LOST AND FOUND:
Finding Self-Reliance after the loss of a spouse.
by P. Mark Accettura, Esq.

The book is designed to assist surviving spouses, those planning for the eventual loss of a spouse and the families of surviving spouses in the grieving process and in navigating the complex legal, governmental, financial and accounting requirements associated with the death of a loved one.

The information contained in this website is not intended to be comprehensive and should not be considered as individual legal advice. The law discussed herein is inherently complex and constantly changing. You should consult with an experienced elder law attorney for specific legal advice regarding your individual needs.