Guide
What to Do After a Death: The Next 30 to 90 Days
The first few days after a death are about immediate needs. The weeks that follow are about paperwork, and families are often surprised by how much there is. This guide covers what usually comes next, in a sensible order, for a family working through it for the first time.
Gather certified death certificates
Banks, insurers, pension offices and agencies each want an official certified copy. Many families order around ten through the funeral home. More can be ordered later from the state or county vital records office, and fees vary by state.
Find out whether there is a will, and who is named
Look for the original will and any trust paperwork, and check with the person's attorney. The person named in a will as executor usually starts the probate process, which is handled through the county court. Rules, timelines and small-estate shortcuts vary widely by state, so an estate attorney or the court's self-help center is the best place to start.
Notify the right agencies
- Social Security. Funeral homes often report the death. Confirm it, and ask what to do about benefits paid after the month of death, which usually must be returned.
- Pensions, annuities and veterans benefits. Contact each plan or the Department of Veterans Affairs about survivor benefits, burial benefits and any payments to stop.
- Credit bureaus. Ask Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to add a deceased alert to the file.
- Employer. Ask about final pay, life insurance and retirement accounts.
Claim insurance and benefits
Locate life insurance policies, including through an employer, credit union or a bank, and file claims with the certified certificate. Check retirement accounts and bank accounts for named beneficiaries, since those often pass outside the will.
Keep the essentials paid
Housing, utilities, car and health insurance and any loans still need attention. Contact the mortgage servicer or landlord early. Cancel subscriptions and memberships that are not needed. Keep a simple log of every call, with the date, who you spoke to and what they said.
Taxes and the final return
The person's final income tax return is generally due in the normal filing season after the year of death, and the estate may need its own return. A tax professional can tell you what applies.
Take care of yourself
Grief and paperwork arrive together. Do not try to settle everything in the first month, and ask for help with small tasks. Hospice programs, faith communities and counselors often offer support for families after a loss.
Put it all in one place
The best time to organize this is before it is needed. The Paper Trail records where everything is, and its 30 to 90 day list walks a family through these same steps.
Frequently asked questions
How many death certificates will I need?
Many families order around ten certified copies. Banks, insurers and agencies each ask for an original. More can be ordered later from the state or county vital records office.
Do I have to go through probate?
It depends on the state and on what the person owned. Assets with named beneficiaries often pass outside of probate, and many states have simplified processes for small estates. An estate attorney or court self-help center can tell you what applies.
Do I need to tell Social Security?
Funeral homes often report the death, but confirm it. Benefits paid after the month of death generally must be returned, so ask Social Security what to do.
Who files the final tax return?
The executor or a family member generally files it, and the estate may need its own return. A tax professional can tell you what applies.
AuraByRobbie sells The Paper Trail on Etsy. This guide is general information, not legal, tax, financial or medical advice.