By Iris Winston
My husband and I had been married for almost 58 years when he died last year. I expected the extreme sadness I felt at his passing. I knew that there would be periods of acute loneliness, although I could take some comfort from having my dog and cat by my side. I anticipated turning to speak to him and then realizing he wasn’t there. I hoped that there would also be happy memories and moments of “as Stewart said” or “one of his favourite jokes was…”
I didn’t anticipate all the paperwork and bureaucratic requirements associated with the death of a loved one, particularly a spouse. First, you need numerous copies of the death certificate, issued by the funeral home. They are supplied at no charge. However, they cannot be copied because they carry an embossed stamp.
The funeral home also offered executor services, which meant that their designated administrator contacted the government agencies and provided me with the forms I needed to apply for the government death benefit (currently $2,500) and the change of my husband’s Canada Pension Plan to a survivor’s pension (a percentage of the amount he had received.) My role in this section was to show that we were married by handing over legal proof of our marriage (our wedding certificate and a document registering the marriage).
I had to contact the life insurance agent and the official in charge of the private pension he had received from his years as an educational administrator to arrange a transfer as the survivor. I also had to deal with changes of health and dental insurance premiums attached to my pension as a retired public servant and return such documents as his health card to Service Ontario.
I needed to contact the bank to have his name removed from our joint account and to have new cheques issued in my name alone. The financial officer that I have dealt with for years also told me that I should have the joint title on our home changed to my name only. This action—a survivorship application dealt with by a lawyer — is not urgent but would be required if the house is sold or for the continuation of a secured line of credit.
There was more. Years ago, when we wrote our wills, we had each organized our having power of attorney for the other, should either of us become incapacitated. We had also arranged for our children to take over POA duties if we were both out of the picture. (The power of attorney gives someone you trust the legal right to make financial or health care decisions for you. It is usual to name a backup in case the individual appointed is not able to fill the role.) Now my POA document and will have to be updated.
The last bureaucratic step (at least, I hope it is the last) will be the completion of Stewart’s final tax return. With luck that will end the storm of paper requirements.
