While nothing can take away your pain following the death of a loved one, having your financial and legal affairs in order can provide some peace of mind during this difficult time. Military OneSource offers tools and services to simplify and ease your burden.
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MilLife GuidesSurvivor Finances and Legal Affairs
Overview
Understand the probate process
When a loved one dies, you may go through a court proceeding called probate — the legal process during 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 overwhelming, it may help to remember these steps:
- The probate hearing
- Collection and inventory of assets
- Review and payments of bills, taxes, expenses and creditors
- Formal transfer of remaining estate property
Figure out your financial and legal affairs
Getting your financial and legal affairs in order can provide some peace of mind during this difficult time.
Tax forgiveness
Taxes might not be on your list of things to think about following the death of a loved one. But they may be entitled to certain benefits — including tax forgiveness.
Any final bills, debts, taxes or claims against the deceased are reviewed for their validity and then paid with funds from the estate. You are not personally responsible for paying these expenses, even if estate funds are not available.
Claim your Social Security benefits
A critical step in organizing your finances after a death is understanding your 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 available to eligible surviving family members. Visit Social Security Administration Survivors Benefits for details.
Identify your insurance and survivor benefit payments
As a survivor, you may be entitled to receive Survivor Benefit Plan payments. The amount you receive is based on the number of active-duty service years your service member had at the time of their death. You may want to know about Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, for which a service member may have paid premiums from their monthly income.
Tools and resources for survivor benefit payments
Benefits for SurvivorsChanges to the eligibility verification for SBP annuitants
The Defense Finance Accounting Service simplified the eligibility verification requirements and forms in August 2023. Now, Survivor Benefit Plan annuitants will only need one eligibility verification each year.
TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR SURVIVOR FINANCES AND LEGAL AFFAIRSPRODUCTS FOR SURVIVOR FINANCES AND LEGAL AFFAIRS
Plan your finances
Interactive OSBR Info Temporarily Unavailable
The interactive online survivor benefits report, or OSBR, will be unavailable to users until mid-December. Survivors will be directed to the Family Assistance Support Team for an updated OSBR during this time. The initial OSBR will not be affected.
Mapping your financial future can be 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 get help with creating savings and spending plans.
The online survivor benefits report is an interactive financial planning tool available to eligible surviving spouses, guardians of dependent children and adult children. This report helps you make sound decisions by estimating how time and circumstances can affect your monthly and annual income.
Call the OSBR Family Assistance Support Team
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.
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