A Redditor shares their struggle to claim their father's 401(k) at Vanguard after his death. They've encountered frustrating roadblocks when attempting to access the account, unsure whether to seek professional help. The article emphasizes the necessity of estate planning to avoid such complications. It provides steps to resolve the issue, including gathering necessary documents like Social Security numbers and death certificates. The piece advocates for proactive financial planning, especially for those nearing retirement, to ensure a smoother transition of assets after someone's passing.
Failing to plan is planning to fail. Estate planning ahead of time is essential so that there are no questions when a loved one dies.
If there is no death certificate, a copy can be obtained from a state's vital records office for a small fee. If the father listed them as a beneficiary, it should be quickly resolved.
Those letters mean there is money there, and it's probably been growing for two decades. With dad's Social Security number, plan number, and the father's death certificate, there is plenty of ammo.
Bringing in lawyers may be a necessary evil if you run into roadblocks to access assets you believe you are entitled to.
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