November 22 Tip of the Week

How Do I Handle Final Pay for a Deceased Employee?

It’s not necessarily a frequent occurrence, but sometimes an employer has an employee who passes away.  Employers then wonder how and to whom the employee’s final wages should be paid.

In general, final pay is paid to either the employee’s estate or their spouse.  However, complications can arise if there’s no spouse, no estate, or no other known beneficiaries.  Some states, such as California, also have very strict documentation processes that must be followed.  Different states also have laws regarding other forms of compensation that must be considered when an employee has passed on. 

If you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation and need advice, contact the expert employment law attorneys at myHRcounsel for assistance.