It's very difficult to function "as normal" following the death of a spouse, yet there are many things that require attention. The list below was compiled by Steve Zimmerman CFP at Mindful Asset Planning to help surviving spouses keep track of some of the items that need attending to:
- Notify family/friends of death
- Make funeral arrangements (enlist assistance and arrangements with involved parties) including memorial, burial and gatherings
- Make list of well-wishers so can acknowledge later
- If a veteran, notify Veterans Affairs Administration service.
- Funeral director usually assists with request for death certificates & notifies Social Security who then notifies Medicare (if applicable)
- Prepare obituary & publish
- Stop health insurance and terminate any other applicable insurance policies
- Execute any Will provisions (named executor administers any property sales or disbursements and change of titles as applicable)
- Notify banks, insurance, pension, and investment companies (financial planner assists) and complete claims and account transfers
- Settle debts and close credit card accounts
- Notify credit reporting agencies
- Notify the election board
- Cancel driver's license
- Cancel email and website accounts
- Cancel memberships in organizations and any unwanted subscriptions and mail
- Prepare final tax return (final joint filing and/or estate return)
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