"To Do" Checklists
It can be overwhelming for a widow to deal with everything that must be taken care of after a spouse or partner dies. There are many articles on the internet that discuss in varying detail what steps may need to be taken after a death.
AARP's “What to Do When a Loved One Dies” describes in chronological order many of these steps, beginning with decisions that need to be made in the hospital. Click here.
As many widows quickly discover, it can be extremely difficult to absorb and retain a lot of detailed information in the early days of widowhood. With that in mind, I have listed the following "To Do's" merely to provide a framework for your next steps. These "To Do's" are organized into three categories--Documents, Notifications, and Consultations--and are based on input from fellow widows as well as my personal experience.
Documents
Death certificate
Marriage certificate
Prenuptial agreement, postnuptial agreement, cohabitation or domestic partnership agreement, or any other legal documents pertaining to the relationship
Will and Power of Attorney
Trust documents
Divorce decree for previous marriage, if applicable (VA Aid and Attendance program is one entity that requires this decree)
Veterans’ DD Form 214 (Report of Separation)
Social Security card and driver's license
Life insurance and health insurance policy
Long-term disability policy (sometimes there is a death benefit)
Information about union benefits or other employer benefits
Supplemental health insurance policy for Medicare recipients, if applicable
Most recent federal and state income tax returns
Business records if self-employed
Banking information and credit cards/statements
Retirement plan and investment statements
Copies of beneficiary designations as applicable
Deeds for property and titles to vehicles (incl. titles for manufactured homes)
Property tax records
Notifications
Family, friends, and employer
Executor of will
Social Security Administration* (*see below for additional information)
Veterans Administration** if applicable (**see below for additional information)
Banks and/or credit unions (Notify bank to close safe deposit box, if applicable)
Creditors and credit bureaus*** (***see below for credit bureau information)
Post office, elections office, and DMV
Utilities
Online account cancellations (social media, et al.)
Membership cancellations
Consultations
Funeral home director
Person who will conduct funeral or memorial service
Executor of will
Estate and/or probate attorney
Tax preparer
Financial advisor – If you do not have one, the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards has a list of questions to ask a CFP and can verify a CFP’s status. (Click here for more information.)
AARP's “What to Do When a Loved One Dies” describes in chronological order many of these steps, beginning with decisions that need to be made in the hospital. Click here.
As many widows quickly discover, it can be extremely difficult to absorb and retain a lot of detailed information in the early days of widowhood. With that in mind, I have listed the following "To Do's" merely to provide a framework for your next steps. These "To Do's" are organized into three categories--Documents, Notifications, and Consultations--and are based on input from fellow widows as well as my personal experience.
Documents
Death certificate
Marriage certificate
Prenuptial agreement, postnuptial agreement, cohabitation or domestic partnership agreement, or any other legal documents pertaining to the relationship
Will and Power of Attorney
Trust documents
Divorce decree for previous marriage, if applicable (VA Aid and Attendance program is one entity that requires this decree)
Veterans’ DD Form 214 (Report of Separation)
Social Security card and driver's license
Life insurance and health insurance policy
Long-term disability policy (sometimes there is a death benefit)
Information about union benefits or other employer benefits
Supplemental health insurance policy for Medicare recipients, if applicable
Most recent federal and state income tax returns
Business records if self-employed
Banking information and credit cards/statements
Retirement plan and investment statements
Copies of beneficiary designations as applicable
Deeds for property and titles to vehicles (incl. titles for manufactured homes)
Property tax records
Notifications
Family, friends, and employer
Executor of will
Social Security Administration* (*see below for additional information)
Veterans Administration** if applicable (**see below for additional information)
Banks and/or credit unions (Notify bank to close safe deposit box, if applicable)
Creditors and credit bureaus*** (***see below for credit bureau information)
Post office, elections office, and DMV
Utilities
Online account cancellations (social media, et al.)
Membership cancellations
Consultations
Funeral home director
Person who will conduct funeral or memorial service
Executor of will
Estate and/or probate attorney
Tax preparer
Financial advisor – If you do not have one, the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards has a list of questions to ask a CFP and can verify a CFP’s status. (Click here for more information.)
*Social Security Administration (includes Medicare beneficiaries) - 1.800.772.1213 (www.ssa.gov)
If a funeral home is involved, the funeral director will usually report your spouse’s death to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person appointments with local SSA offices have been temporarily suspended. However, staff members are still available by phone (Monday-Friday). The phone numbers for SSA offices in King County are listed below:
Seattle - 1.866.494.3135
Bellevue - 1.866.574.2323
Burien - 1.866.964.7380
Kent - 1.866.931.7671
Lynnwood - 1.866.964.7380
While many services are available online, please note that you cannot report a death or apply for survivor’s benefits online.
For information about Social Security survivors’ benefits, click here.
If a funeral home is involved, the funeral director will usually report your spouse’s death to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person appointments with local SSA offices have been temporarily suspended. However, staff members are still available by phone (Monday-Friday). The phone numbers for SSA offices in King County are listed below:
Seattle - 1.866.494.3135
Bellevue - 1.866.574.2323
Burien - 1.866.964.7380
Kent - 1.866.931.7671
Lynnwood - 1.866.964.7380
While many services are available online, please note that you cannot report a death or apply for survivor’s benefits online.
For information about Social Security survivors’ benefits, click here.
**Veterans Administration
For information regarding survivor benefits, click here.
A list of phone numbers for the VA can be found by clicking here.
For a copy of DD Form 214 (Report of Separation), contact the National Archives for veterans’ service records. Click here.
Widows of veterans may be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit if they need help with daily activities of living, are housebound, or are in a long-term care facility. Click here for more information.
For information about what the VA will pay for when a veteran dies, click here.
If the veteran's death was due to mesothelioma, there may be burial benefits available. Click here for link to the nonprofit mesotheliomaveterans.org.
***Credit Bureaus
Credit bureaus will add a "deceased" notification to your spouse's credit file, which will help prevent fraud in the future. The credit bureaus are: Equifax (www.equifax.com); Experian (www.experian.com); and TransUnion (www.transunion.com).
For information regarding survivor benefits, click here.
A list of phone numbers for the VA can be found by clicking here.
For a copy of DD Form 214 (Report of Separation), contact the National Archives for veterans’ service records. Click here.
Widows of veterans may be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit if they need help with daily activities of living, are housebound, or are in a long-term care facility. Click here for more information.
For information about what the VA will pay for when a veteran dies, click here.
If the veteran's death was due to mesothelioma, there may be burial benefits available. Click here for link to the nonprofit mesotheliomaveterans.org.
***Credit Bureaus
Credit bureaus will add a "deceased" notification to your spouse's credit file, which will help prevent fraud in the future. The credit bureaus are: Equifax (www.equifax.com); Experian (www.experian.com); and TransUnion (www.transunion.com).
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