Survivor Financial Checklist

For: _________________________ Date of death: _____________

How to use this guide: Work through these steps in order. You don't need to do everything at once — pace yourself. Ask your attorney, financial advisor, and accountant for help. Keep a log of every call: date, name of person you spoke with, and what was agreed.

Do not rush major financial decisions. You have time. Do not move large sums, sell investments, pay off debt aggressively, or make gifts to family until you have spoken with an estate attorney and financial advisor. Well-meaning advice from family may not be in your best interest.

First 24–48 Hours

Obtain several certified copies of the death certificate (at least 10–12).

You will need them for banks, government agencies, insurance companies, and the title company. Order extras — they are cheap now, expensive to get later.

Notify immediate family and close friends.

See the "People to Notify" sheet in the safe.

Locate the will and contact the estate attorney.

The will names the executor. If no attorney is named, find one before proceeding.

Secure the home, vehicles, and valuables.

Change locks if needed. Do not allow anyone to remove property before the estate is settled.

Note all account and subscription auto-payments.

These will keep drafting. You'll need to change or cancel them — but not yet. Gather the list first.

First Week

Call the Social Security Administration.

Report the death and ask about survivor benefits. If your spouse was receiving SS, those payments stop — any payment received after the date of death must be returned. Survivor benefits may replace much of that income.

SSA: 1-800-772-1213 | ssa.gov

Notify the pension administrator (if applicable).

Ask whether a survivor benefit option was elected and how to begin receiving payments. Bring the death certificate.

Notify life insurance companies and file claims.

See the Insurance Policies sheet. Each insurer needs a certified copy of the death certificate. Most pay within 30–60 days of a completed claim.

Open an estate bank account (if probate is required).

Your attorney will advise. An estate account holds funds until the estate is settled and distributed.

Notify employer / HR department.

Ask about final paycheck, accrued vacation payout, COBRA health coverage continuation, and any group life insurance claim. COBRA must be elected within 60 days of the qualifying event.

Notify the financial advisor and/or brokerage accounts.

Accounts titled jointly or with a named beneficiary (TOD) pass outside probate. The institution will guide you through the transfer process.

First Month

File for probate (if required).

Your estate attorney will advise. Assets held in a trust, jointly titled, or with named beneficiaries generally bypass probate.

Retitle joint bank accounts to your name alone.

Bring death certificate to each bank. Joint accounts with right of survivorship pass to you automatically — the bank will remove the deceased's name.

Update beneficiary designations on your own accounts.

Your spouse was likely listed as primary beneficiary on your retirement accounts and life insurance. Update these now.

Cancel or transfer subscriptions and credit cards.

Cancel any accounts solely in the deceased's name. For joint credit cards, contact the issuer to remove the deceased.

Forward mail from the deceased.

Visit USPS.com to set up mail forwarding so you don't miss bills, financial statements, or checks.

Contact the post office and update address records as needed.

Notify Medicare (if applicable).

Call 1-800-633-4227. Medicare will stop payments for the deceased. If you are enrolled in Medicare yourself, confirm your own coverage is not affected.

Review and pay ongoing household bills.

Mortgage, utilities, auto insurance, homeowners insurance. Maintain insurance on all property — do not let policies lapse.

Within 3 Months

Transfer vehicle titles.

Visit your state DMV with the death certificate and title. Rules vary by state.

Update your own estate documents.

Your will, powers of attorney, healthcare directive, and beneficiary designations all need to be reviewed and updated, since your spouse is named in many of them.

Review your budget and income.

Your household income has changed. Social Security, pension survivor benefits, and life insurance proceeds replace some but not all prior income. Work with a financial advisor to build a new budget.

Claim IRA and retirement account assets.

Contact each institution. As a spouse, you generally have the option to roll over the decedent's IRA into your own IRA, which delays required minimum distributions. Get professional guidance — the rules are complex.

Notify the credit bureaus.

Send a letter with a copy of the death certificate to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This prevents identity theft using the deceased's Social Security number.

Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 | Experian: 1-888-397-3742 | TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800

Within the Year

File the final income tax return for the deceased.

Due April 15 of the year following death. You may file jointly as a surviving spouse for the year of death. Consult a CPA.

File the estate income tax return (Form 1041) if required.

An estate that earns income during administration (interest, dividends, rent) must file its own return. Your CPA will advise.

File for the estate tax return (Form 706) if applicable.

Only required if the gross estate exceeds the federal exemption (currently over $13 million). Your estate attorney will know.

Close out the estate (if probate was required).

Once debts are paid, taxes filed, and assets distributed, your attorney will file a final accounting with the probate court.

Review your own retirement and financial plan.

Your Social Security strategy, withdrawal plan, investment allocation, and spending plan all may need to change now that you are single. Work with your financial advisor.

Date

Organization / Person

Phone