Death of a Client
When a Client or Co-Client dies, you will have to adjust the Client's information and reassign the Client's records, as appropriate.
If the deceased person is the only contact in the Client relationship:
- Go to the deceased client's Contact record > Edit > Contact Profile tab.
- In the Status field, click the drop-down menu and choose Deceased.
- Go to the deceased client's Activities SubPanel in the client record and close any open items.
- Go to the Client's open records and close or reassign records that are owned by the deceased client once the appropriate paperwork has been completed.
- If your firm will be settling the estate of the deceased:
- Check the Client's Estate tab for information regarding estate planning documents that the firm may have on file.
- Set up the estate of the deceased as a new Client using the Create New Client form. Make sure that the Tax ID number will be in EIN format (NN-NNNNNNN).
- Terminate the Client prior to suppressing the Client's record. Enter the date of death as the reason for termination.
If the deceased person is part of a Client that has more than one contact linked to it:
- Go to the deceased's Client record > Edit > Client Profile tab.
- Scroll down to the Contacts subpanel. Next to the deceased Contact's name click the Edit drop-down menu and select Remove.
- Go to the deceased Contact's records and close open activities. Change the Related To field to the Client, rather than the deceased Contact. Generally there will be few activities where the Contact, rather than the Client, is the Related to for tasks, appointments and notes. However, this check should still be made. Reassign any activities, tasks, notes and appointments Related To< the deceased Contact to the Client.
- Go to the Client's Accounts tab, and remove or reassign accounts that are owned by the deceased Contact once the appropriate paperwork has been completed.
- Go to the Contact Profile's personal tab for surviving Client and change the Marital Status from Married to Widow(er).
- Check the Client's Estate tab for information regarding estate planning documents that the firm may have on file.
- Set up the estate of the deceased as a new Client using the Create New Client > form. Make sure that the Tax ID number will be in EIN format (NN-NNNNNNN).
- If you chose to remove the deceased Contact in Step 2, then suppress the deceased Client's contact record by selecting Suppress in the Edit drop-down menu on the Contact Profile screen.
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