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Oct 3, 2023 · Checklist for when a spouse dies: steps to take. Here’s a rundown of things to do when a spouse dies. Immediate steps: Obtain a legal pronouncement of death. Transfer the body to a funeral home. Consider organ donation if applicable. Notify close family and friends. Make arrangements for pets and dependents. Secure property. First 24 hours
This checklist is intended to be an instructional overview of some of the key factors to consider and action items following the death of a spouse. Other action items and considerations will apply depending on your situation. Consult your legal, tax, and financial advisors to discuss your personal situation.
- Download Checklist: What to Do After The Death of A Spouse
- Most Common Missteps
- Get Organized and Understand Your Financial Situation
- Asset Titling, Beneficiary Elections, and Probate
- Retirement Accounts
- Cash Flow Considerations
- Social Security
- Consider Your Housing Options
- Filing Taxes For The Year of Death
- Understand Health Insurance and Medicare Coverage
Also consider: 1. Getting multiple copies of the death certificate, at least five 2. Asking a friend/relative to watch the house during the funeral or memorial service. As sad as it is, burial plans are publicly available, and robberies occur 3. Arrange to have any pets taken care of in-home or boarded 4. If you’re planning to visit family away fro...
There’s a lot to do after the death of a spouse. But there’s also things to avoid doing. Kristin Dzialo, Trust and Estates attorney and Partner at Rubin and Rudman, LLP in Boston, MA shares the top five most common mistakes she sees new widow(er)s making: 1. Letting fear and grief delay important action 2. Failing to update accounts to remove spous...
After the death of a spouse, take steps to organize and take stock of your financial situation. You’ll need to gather a lot of financial documents and statements, including: 1. Bank statements 2. Investment account statements (brokerage and/or trust accounts) 3. Retirement account statements and beneficiary designations 4. Life insurance policies a...
The estate planning attorney is going to be critical here. Hopefully, your spouse had a will and perhaps a trust set up and funded. Assets owned by your spouse individually, that don’t pass through a beneficiary designation like on a retirement account or life insurance policy, or through a transfer-on-death or payable-on-death arrangement, will li...
If you’re the primary beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k) or other type of retirement account, work with your financial advisor and attorney to discuss your options. Surviving spouses have a lot of choices after inheriting a retirement account. The rules regarding inherited retirement accounts have changed significantly in the last few years so don’t rel...
One of the important considerations in the weeks and months after the death of a spouse is cash flow. Can you maintain your lifestyle? This is particularly important for younger couples. Review your past income and expenses and consider how it may change going forward. It may change dramatically; it might not change much at all. Every family is dif...
Assuming the deceased was eligible for Social Security benefits on their own work record, the benefits you could receive depend on your age, the age of your spouse, whether you are caring for dependents, if you remarry (and at what age), are disabled, etc. But generally, excluding any nuances, a surviving widow(er) who is at least full retirement a...
As the surviving spouse, you’ll need to consider housing options, like whether to sell or keep the home, or downsize. Mortgages aren’t transferrable, even if both your names are on the loan. You’ll need to pay the mortgage off or refinance into a new loan supported by your assets and income as a widow(er). If you decide to sell the marital home, yo...
When a spouse passes away, the surviving spouse may need to file taxes for both themselves and their deceased spouse for that tax year (by April 15th of the following year). Obtain all relevant tax documents, including W-2s and 1099s, and consult a CPA for help. Also discuss with your attorney whether you need to file a federal or state estate tax ...
Understanding your health insurance and/or Medicare coverage options is also an important checklist item after the passing of a spouse. If you were on your spouse’s health insurance plan at work, you may be eligible for 36 months of coverage under COBRA. Contact the employer or insurance provider to determine eligibility and discuss any health savi...
Look for a house-sitter to look after the deceased’s home and pick up mail. Make sure any valuables including jewelry, cash and antiques are safe in the deceased’s home. Move the valuables and store them elsewhere if they are not safe. Locate the deceased’s safe deposit box, if applicable, and inventory its contents.
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Here are a few things to consider doing right after a loved one dies. 1. Death is pronounced. Whether your loved one died at a hospital, in hospice care, home, or another location, a health care professional must officially pronounce and record the time of death. This is the first step in securing a death certificate. 1.
Jun 30, 2021 · Steps for Cleaning Out a Loved One’s House After a Death. When you’re ready to clean out a loved one’s home, follow the steps below. Knowing what to do when someone dies isn’t always easy, but it’s an act of compassion. Following basic steps keeps you focused and on track. 1. Secure the home
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Mar 19, 2024 · 1. When a spouse dies, it’s important to address the most important actions as soon as you can. 2. Foundational documents like the death certificate will be the first priority. 3. Moving forward, you’ll need to update financial and estate plans. Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult experiences you can go through. While dealing with ...
