A Survivor’s Checklist

What to do when a loved one dies

Locate loved one’s important documents:

File claims with life insurance companies.
Contact the Social Security Administration and other government offices that were making payments to the decedent. Inquire about eligibility for spousal benefits.
Notify the registrar of voters.
Cancel deceased’s prescriptions.
Cancel all social media accounts and retain pictures if need be.
Contact the department of motor vehicles to cancel driver’s license and transfer titles to registered vehicles.
If the deceased was a veteran, inquire about benefits from the VA.
Contact the deceased’s employer. Inquire about company benefits such as 401K, pension…
Check for life insurance benefits available through credit cards or loans.
File any outstanding claims for health insurance.
Obtain deceased’s outstanding bills.
Advice all creditors in writing that the death occurred.
Update beneficiaries on your life insurance policies
Locate paperwork for necessity for the settlement of their estate:
- Trust information
- Real estate deeds and titles
- Stock certificates
- Loan paperwork
- Bank accounts
- Retirement accounts