Condolences

Quote Quoting kunrj
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1. I was told to get an EIN number from IRS so that I can open a checking account that I can deposit checks that might come in under his name. I think I saw that I could get the number online. Is this correct?
Yes.

Here's a link to it.

http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-...r-(EIN)-Online

Quote Quoting kunrj
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Once I open a checking account for his estate, can I move money from his current checking and saving accounts into this account to pay for expenses, e.g., funeral expenses, bills, etc.
Yes.

Once you present your Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary (it's called different things in different places) to his bank you can close the account and have the bank issue a check to The Estate of _____ for the balance and then deposit it into the estate account.

Quote Quoting kunrj
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2. Social Security sent me Form SSA-172-F4, Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of a Deceased Social Security Recipient. Does this mean that Social Security might send a check or something for his estate?
Probably.

The SS death benefit is $255. If there is no beneficiary and you were not married it's likely to be made out to The Estate of ______.

Quote Quoting kunrj
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3. Although we were registered as domestic partners in NJ, we were not married or in a civil union relationship. People already told me that I would not have to pay the inheritance tax but I will have to pay the NJ estate tax if the estate is more than $675K. We have been living together 28 years and we were going to marry a week after he passed. Is there anything I can do to reduce the amount of the estate tax?
I don't think so. You would be wise to talk to a tax pro about that. But I think "it is what it is."

Quote Quoting kunrj
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4. Do I need to get the house appraised or can I use the value of the house that is being used for the personal property tax?
The assessed value generally has nothing to do with the market value.

If you were the one named in the will to inherit all of his estate it would be worth your while to have a professional appraisal so you don't short change yourself on the sale price, or at least have a realtor do a market analysis or look on Zillow (which is not always accurate but will give you a starting point and you can see what recent sales have been nearby). Once you've determined an appropriate market value so you can put it up for sale, that value will have to pass muster with a lender's appraiser if a prospective buyer needs a mortgage and the lender won't care how you arrived at your sale price.

PS: I handled my mother's estate through the NY Surrogate Court so I have a bit of experience.