Afterward Guide
Content updated 2026-09-22Changelog
The First 30 Daysa guided checklist
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Content updated 2026-09-22Changelog
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Three things, in order
- 1
- 2
- 3
Five things nobody tells you
- 01
Banks freeze accounts immediately.
The moment you notify a bank of a death, they freeze the account. Every autopay linked to it will fail. Move critical payments (mortgage, insurance, utilities) to another account before you make that call.
- 02
You are probably not responsible for their debts.
Debts in the deceased’s name alone are debts of the estate, not yours — unless you co-signed. Do not let any debt collector tell you otherwise. (Community property states have different rules.)
- 03
Don’t rush big decisions.
Financial advisors recommend waiting at least 6–12 months before making major decisions like selling the house or changing investments. Grief impairs judgment. Give yourself time.
- 04
Scammers move fast.
Within days of a death becoming public record, you may receive unsolicited calls from real estate investors, debt collectors, and outright scammers. Legitimate institutions will never pressure you for immediate action.
- 05
The phone number is the skeleton key.
Most online accounts use the deceased’s phone number for two-factor authentication. If you cancel their phone plan, you lose access to those accounts permanently. Port the number to Google Voice ($20) before canceling.
- 06
A few things vary by state.
Vehicle title transfer, joint-account survivorship, and probate filing all differ. Look up your state’s rules at: your state DMV (vehicle titles) • your county surrogate or probate court (probate filing) • your state attorney general’s office (consumer protection if a creditor harasses you).
Before You Begin
Two warnings that matter only if you haven’t done these yet. If you have, skip ahead.
If you haven’t notified the bank, move autopay charges first.
Banks freeze accounts the moment they learn of a death. Mortgage, insurance, and utility payments linked to the account will bounce. Move them to another account before you call. If the account was already frozen, contact the bank’s estate services department to request emergency releases for critical payments.
If you haven’t canceled the phone plan, port the number first.
Most online accounts use this number for two-factor authentication. Port it to Google Voice ($20) or your own plan before canceling. The trap: the number must still be active on the carrier when you request the port. If the carrier account is already closed, the port fails — so port first, cancel second. A port takes about 24 hours. If the number is already gone, you can still access most accounts — it just takes longer (call each provider directly).
Gather These First
You’ll use these documents repeatedly. Gather them before you start making calls or sending letters. Never send your only copy of anything — photocopy everything before mailing. Many institutions will not return original death certificates.
Certified death certificates (10–12 copies)
Order from the funeral home or the county vital records office. Most institutions want a certified copy, and many keep it. Ten to twelve is the usual number; you can order more later.
Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (3–5 originals)
Court proof that you can act for the estate. Ask for 3–5 originals — banks won’t accept copies. Issued by the probate court; your attorney files for this.
Marriage certificate (1 certified copy)
County clerk where you were married. Needed for spousal benefits, Social Security survivor claims, and some account transfers.
Trust documents (if applicable)
One copy. Check the estate file, safe-deposit box, or the attorney who drafted the trust.
Your government-issued photo ID
Original. Keep it with you — you’ll be asked for it on nearly every call and visit.
The deceased’s Social Security number
Written down. Find it on the SSA card, tax returns, or mail from Social Security.
A written list of all known account numbers
Statements, mail, wallet, phone apps. Start the list now and add to it as you discover more.
Phase 1 — Immediate (Days 1–3)
Most urgent. Only a death certificate is required for these.
Call Social Security to report the death
1-800-772-1213 • Phone only — cannot be done online • Any benefits paid after the date of death must be returned • Your funeral home may have already done this — call to confirm.
What to say
Hi, I’m calling to report a death. The deceased’s Social Security number is [____]. Date of death is [____]. The funeral home may have already reported this — I’m confirming. If they ask for anything different, follow their lead.
Secure the home and keep insurance active
Lock up, check that homeowner’s/renter’s insurance is current. A lapsed policy during probate can be catastrophic.
Preserve your loved one’s phone number
Port to Google Voice ($20) or your plan BEFORE canceling theirs. It’s the key to accessing their online accounts. The number must still be active on the carrier when you request the port — if the carrier account is already closed, the port fails. Port first, cancel second. A port takes about 24 hours.
Notify the employer
Contact HR. Ask about final paycheck, life insurance, pension, COBRA continuation for dependents.
Phase 1 — This Week (Days 3–7)
Still death-certificate-only. Knock these out within a week.
Notify the credit bureaus
You only need to notify ONE bureau — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Send a letter by mail with a certified death certificate; that bureau notifies the other two and flags the file as deceased. Only a spouse or the executor (or other legally authorized person) may report a death. This prevents identity theft on the deceased’s credit file.
Experian: reporting a deathEquifax: how to notify the bureausTransUnion: reporting a death
File life insurance claims
Call the claims department. You’ll need the policy number, death certificate, and beneficiary ID.
What to say
I’m filing a claim. Policy number is [____]. The insured is [full name]. The death certificate is enclosed. What’s the next step on your end? If they ask for something different, follow their lead.
Notify banks and credit unions
Call each bank’s estate services department. Joint accounts with a surviving co-owner transfer automatically. Sole accounts require Letters Testamentary.
What to say
I’m calling to notify you of a death. The account holder was [name], account ending in [last 4]. I’m [their relation, or executor]. What does your estate process require? If they ask for something different, follow their lead.
Contact pension or retirement plan administrators
Employer HR can direct you. Ask about survivor benefits and required paperwork.
What to say
I’m calling about a pension or retirement plan for [name], who passed away on [date]. I’m [spouse / executor / beneficiary]. Are there survivor benefits, and what paperwork do you need to start a claim? If they ask for something different, follow their lead.
Update auto and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies
Remove the deceased from policies. Do NOT cancel — update the policyholder name.
Notify Medicare and, if applicable, Medicaid
Reporting the death to Social Security also notifies Medicare — confirm this on the same call. If they were on Medicaid, call the state Medicaid office too. Be aware: Medicaid estate recovery can claim against the estate for long-term care costs paid after age 55. Ask a probate attorney before distributing assets.
Claim VA burial and survivor benefits
The VA offers a burial allowance, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for a surviving spouse or children, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Apply at va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000. Your funeral home may have already requested the flag.
Find accounts you don’t know about
Unknown accounts are the #1 source of surprises months after a death. Do all five within the first two weeks.
Pull credit reports from all three bureaus
annualcreditreport.com (free, official). Lists every open account, loan, and credit card.
Search for unknown life insurance policies
NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator at eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator. Free. Insurers have up to 90 days to respond — submit early.
Check for unclaimed assets
missingmoney.com. Search every state the deceased lived in. Finds forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, refunds.
Review 12 months of bank and credit card statements
Look for recurring charges you don’t recognize — subscriptions, storage units, insurance premiums, donations.
Monitor all incoming mail for 6 months
Bills, renewal notices, and annual reports will surface accounts nobody knew about. Do not forward or discard.
Phase 2 — Weeks 2–4
Most of these need Letters Testamentary (court proof you can act for the estate). If you don’t have them yet, talk to a probate attorney — typically $3,000–$8,000 for a simple probate, paid from estate assets.
Get an EIN for the estate
Apply on IRS.gov (search “apply for an EIN online”). It’s free and takes about 10 minutes. You need it to open an estate bank account and to file the estate’s tax return. Do NOT pay a third-party site — the IRS never charges for an EIN.
Open an estate bank account
Bring the EIN, Letters Testamentary, and your photo ID. Every dollar the estate receives or pays out goes through this account. It keeps estate money separate from yours and gives the court a clean record.
Close or transfer sole bank accounts
Requires Letters Testamentary + death certificate. The bank will guide you through their estate process.
Handle retirement accounts (IRA, 401k, 403b)
Contact the plan administrator. Surviving spouses can do a spousal rollover. Most non-spouse beneficiaries must empty the account within 10 years (exceptions: minor children, disabled or chronically ill beneficiaries, and anyone within 10 years of the deceased’s age). Consult a CPA ($200–$500) before making any withdrawal decisions — cashing out a $300,000 IRA at once could result in $70,000–$100,000+ in taxes.
Address the mortgage
Contact the mortgage servicer. Surviving spouses can typically assume the loan. If the estate will sell the property, keep making monthly payments until closing.
What to say
I’m calling about the mortgage on [address], loan number [____]. The borrower, [name], passed away on [date]. I’m [spouse / executor]. I want to keep the loan current — what do you need from me, and can I assume the loan or add my name? If they ask for something different, follow their lead.
Transfer vehicle titles
Visit your state DMV. Bring death certificate, title, and your ID. Process varies by state.
Transfer or cancel utilities and services
Electric, gas, water, internet, phone. Call each provider to transfer to a new name or close the account.
Notify the post office
File a mail forwarding request if the deceased lived separately. Monitor all incoming mail for at least 6 months to discover unknown accounts.
Cancel credit cards in the deceased’s name only
Call the number on the back of each card. Ask about balance forgiveness — some issuers will forgive remaining balances if you ask.
What to say
I’m calling about an account in the name of [name], who passed away on [date]. I’m [their relation, or the executor]. I’d like to close the account, and I want to ask whether you offer any forgiveness of the remaining balance for a deceased cardholder. If they ask for something different, follow their lead.
Access the safe deposit box
Rules vary by state. Some states let a spouse or executor open the box with a death certificate just to search for a will or burial instructions, with a bank officer present. Full access to the contents usually needs Letters Testamentary.
Notify the HOA, landlord, or storage unit
Dues, rent, and storage fees don’t pause. An HOA can put a lien on the property, a landlord can start eviction, and a storage company can auction the contents. Tell them what’s happening and keep paying until the estate decides what to do.
Phase 3 — Months 2–6
Longer deadlines. Handle these as you discover them.
File the deceased’s final federal tax return
Form 1040. Due April 15 of the year after death. Consider hiring a CPA ($200–$500 for a final return).
File the deceased’s final state tax return (if applicable)
Check your state’s requirements. Nine states have no tax on wages, so there may be nothing to file.
Cancel the deceased’s driver’s license
Contact your state DMV. Some states do this automatically when the death is registered.
Cancel the deceased’s passport
Mail to U.S. State Department with a death certificate and a letter requesting cancellation.
Cancel subscriptions and memberships
Streaming services, gym, magazines, software, meal kits. Check bank statements for recurring charges.
Handle digital accounts
Email, social media, cloud storage. Each platform has a deceased-user process. Prioritize email access — it’s the master key to resetting other passwords. Apple: if they named you a Legacy Contact, use your access key through Apple’s Digital Legacy page; if not, the same page explains how to request access with a death certificate. Google: check whether Inactive Account Manager was set up (it may have already sent you access); if not, submit Google’s request regarding a deceased user’s account.
Monitor credit reports for identity fraud
Check all three bureaus at 30, 60, and 90 days. annualcreditreport.com.
Register with the Deceased Do Not Contact list
ims-dm.com/cgi/ddnc.php. Online only, $6, permanent. Reduces predatory mail and solicitations — expect marketing mail to taper off within about 90 days.
Opt out of prescreened credit offers
optoutprescreen.com or 1-888-567-8688. Stops credit card offers in the deceased’s name.
Cancel voter registration and respond to any jury summons
Send your county board of elections a short letter with a copy of the death certificate; the jury office usually wants the same. Stops upsetting mail for years to come.