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There are many tasks that need to be taken care of after someone dies, and unfortunately, many of them usually fall on the surviving spouse. Our checklists explain what you need to do in the days, weeks, and months after your husband or wife passes away.
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- Get Organized. Start by making of list of everything you need to do, so you can check off the things you have accomplished and make a note of what still needs to be done.
- Take Inventory. You will need to look at your spouse's will and estate plan. "Gather the documents you will need," Anspach says. "If your spouse handled all finances it will be overwhelming figuring out which bills they pay from which accounts.
- Identify the Executor. The executor is the person who will carry out the terms of the will. "That person is responsible for all the housekeeping essentials of organizing someone's estate," says Mark Brown, managing partner at Brown & Company in Denver, Colorado.
- Get a Death Certificate. Make sure to request multiple copies of the death certificate. "One thing you have to have, universally, is a death certificate," Brown says.
- When A Spouse Dies: Checklist
- What Not to Do When Your Spouse Dies
- One to Four Months Following Death
Arrange for organ donation.Contact immediate family and friends.Consider funeral preparations and inquire about special arrangements for a veteran.Order several certified copies of the death certificate.Following the death of a spouse, the pressure of settling personal, estate, and financial affairs can be very overwhelming. Sometimes this life-changing event can trigger irrational decisions on matters that should be revisited once the shock of grief has subsided. A surviving spouse should hold off on the following tasks until they feel more at ea...
Mark your calendar one to four months following the death of your spouse to change legal documents for existing assets to your name alone. Contact a legal professional to discuss probating your spouse’s estate including real estate holdings. If proper estate planning has not been done, you may need to file a spousal property petition to ensure that...
- Obtain Legal Documentation of Death. Legal documentation of death will be important for several things, like accessing bank and other financial accounts, starting the probate process (if necessary), filing a claim on life insurance and tending to other personal affairs.
- Notify Necessary Parties. Of course you’ll want to notify the appropriate people of the passing. It can be difficult, but try to let the most important people know first.
- Make Arrangements for the Body. Any final arrangements that need to be made will greatly depend on the loved one’s last wishes. In the best circumstances, you’ll know and can honor their vision easily because you’ll have a clear understanding of what he or she wanted.
- Make Arrangements for Children and Pets. If your loved one had any dependents (minor children or adults who cannot take care of themselves) or pets, you need to find their Estate Plans quickly to see what, if any, provisions were set up for Guardianship.
Jun 22, 2022 · Like we said before, the funeral is just the beginning of a long list of tasks and to-dos you will need to do on behalf of your husband — especially if you act as the personal representative or executrix. Here are some of those: Begin Probate
Sep 1, 2022 · Center for Elder Law & Justice. When facing the death of a spouse, the last thing anyone wants to think about is all the necessary paperwork. Planning ahead of time can help make these crucial steps easier for you. Review this checklist of things to do when your spouse dies.
What to Do When Someone Dies: A Step-by-Step Guide. 9 min read. This checklist will help you understand the legal and financial issues you may need to address when a loved one dies.
