Working through this list can help you figure out what to do when your spouse dies.
Quick takeaways
There’s no way to truly be prepared for the death of a spouse or partner. And the decisions about what to do when your spouse dies can be overwhelming at a time when you’re dealing with a flood of emotions.
“After a difficult loss, take time to grieve and be with family,” says Stanley Poorman, a financial professional with Principal®. “When you’re ready, let your financial, legal, and tax advisors help you through the process. Often they can help you handle many of the tasks, which helps you focus on the emotional and social aspects of your loss.”
This checklist can help, too.
There are several legal and financial considerations after the death of a loved one. Your attorney can help you understand the process and the laws within your state.
Depending on circumstances, you may be eligible for survivor benefits. (Learn more from the Social Security Administration.) You cannot accomplish this online; to report a death or apply for benefits, call
Generally, it’s filed with an attorney, or in a lockbox or safe deposit box. Your legal professional can help with the process of settling the estate. (Don’t have your own will? Work with your attorney to create one. These steps to creating a will can get you started.)
The human resources department can help with benefits due to beneficiaries as well as retirement or pension plans. If you or your children were covered through your spouse’s medical insurance, ask about continuing coverage. Notify your employer, too, since the death of a spouse may be a “life event” that could trigger benefit decisions.
There may be benefits such as life insurance policies, a pension, or an old 401(k) that affect you.
If your spouse served in the military, you may be eligible for veterans benefits. (For more information on veteran’s benefits visit the Veterans Administration website.)
Ask for links or hard copies of claim forms and instructions. The sooner you start, the sooner you may receive benefits.
Remove your partner or spouse’s name and update ownership documents and insurance policies, such as auto and homeowner’s. Your county recorder is a good place to start.
Close accounts that were in your spouse’s name only or change the account holder information. Ask your financial institutions for the appropriate forms.
Request a copy of your spouse’s credit reports so you’re aware of all debts and any open accounts. The three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) can place a notification in the credit report that says “Deceased—do not issue credit,” so new credit isn't taken out in your spouse or partner’s name.
Taxes for your spouse must be filed and paid in the year of death. Especially if the tax preparation is complicated, it may be helpful to rely on a tax professional.
Depending on the school and your financial situation, your child may qualify for more assistance.
A financial professional can help you update your financial plan based on benefits you’ve received. You can also discuss changes in the short term, such as a budget, and long term, including your retirement plan and investment options.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help during this difficult time,” Poorman says. “Family and friends can be a great resource to help you stay organized, especially if they’ve been through a loss themselves.”
As you move forward with your to-dos after the death of a spouse or partner, you’ll probably need to review your savings rate and beneficiaries; you can do both by
