Funeral homes in Smithfield, UT, can be a great resource that offers professional support and care when going through a loss. One of the biggest factors in making the entire process easier on loved ones is creating a plan for the services and your estate. Having a will in place will help remove the confusion and ensure any last wishes are honored, so keep reading for more information. 

Itemize Your Belongings 

One of the first and most essential steps in the process is understanding your inventory or belongings. You want to have a list of everything outside and inside the home, and be sure to write down items, including jewelry, vehicles, computers, and even power tools. Typically, this list will be quite extensive, and it can be helpful to write down any names of who you want the items to go as you write down the inventory. 

Have a List of Debts 

Knowing what debts are remaining is also crucial. Having a list of financial obligations, including auto loans, credit cards, or other debts, will help make the process easier for the executor. Adding in where signed agreements are located, the contact information of the companies and account numbers should all be included. 

Review All Accounts 

If you have any policies or accounts with beneficiaries attached to them, ensure they are up to date and accounted for. It can be helpful to reach out to customer service for any of these companies to review them and make sure everything is up to date and listed in a way that feels appropriate. 

Update Any Insurance 

Annuities and life insurance will pass on to beneficiaries, so the next step is to contact any companies where you have policies to ensure the beneficiaries are listed correctly and up to date. 

Select an Estate Administrator 

When the time comes to distribute the benefits, the administrator needs to be trustworthy and responsible to make sound decisions. Sometimes, choosing an individual outside the family is best because grief can affect people's decisions. 

Hire Professionals 

You will also need professionals to help create the documents. The most common ones include: 

• Creating trusts 
  
• Establishing guardians 
  
• Updating policies 
  
• Making the arrangements 

All of these require finding a financial advisor to help with your accounts and an estate planning attorney to help prepare the will, so there's no question that the documents are completed legally and completely. 

From Our Family to Yours 

Estate planning is a complicated process, especially if many different policies and assets are involved. Taking time to understand what will be the most beneficial for family and friends is crucial and choosing a professional company for funeral services is another essential piece. 

And when it's time to lay an individual to rest, you want to work with one of the top rated funeral homes in Smithfield, UT. Professional support can make all the difference in the experience, and we would love to help you. We offer exceptional services based on compassion and care, so contact us today.