Losing your partner can change everything at once: the practical, the personal, and the pace of your days. In the first weeks after the death of a spouse, you may be asked to make decisions you never expected to face this soon.
This guide gives you a steady starting point so you can handle urgent tasks, protect what matters, and create breathing room for whatever comes next. You’ll find what to do, who to contact, and how to keep records so you don’t have to repeat steps later.
1. Obtain Multiple Copies of the Death Certificate
Most financial and legal processes require a certified death certificate before they’ll talk with you, update an account, or release funds. Banks, insurers, title offices, and the court system all rely on this document to confirm authority and move things along.
That said, you won’t just need one…
Plan to order more than you think you’ll need: 10–15 certified copies is common for estates with several accounts, loans, or policies. Each institution may need its own copy, and some won’t accept scans. A few months from now, you may discover an account you didn’t know about; having a spare copy on hand saves time.
Where can you ask for copies?
You can request copies through the funeral home (often the easiest), your county clerk, or your state’s vital records office. If you’ll need more later, ask whether you can re-order easily and how long it takes. Keep receipts and a simple log so you know how many you have left.
Please Note: Store certificates in a fireproof folder or lockbox, with one or two set aside in a secure, quickly accessible place. Label where each copy went: bank, insurer, mortgage servicer, so you aren’t guessing later. Simple tracking now prevents having to double back later.
2. Notify Key Institutions Immediately
A few notifications help prevent identity theft, stop unwanted charges, and start needed claims. Here are some key institutions you will want to notify immediately after your spouse passes:
Government agencies: Call Social Security and Medicare to report the death and stop checks or coverage in your spouse’s name. After this, you can look into survivor benefits (see step 7 below for more information).
Employers: Contact current or recent employers to discuss final pay, health insurance continuation, and retirement plan options. Ask for a summary of any benefits and what documents they need from you.
Banks and financial institutions: Ask for guidance on retitling or closing accounts and moving funds to the correct name. Request written confirmation of any changes so your paper trail is clean.
Insurance providers: File life, health, property, and disability claims quickly to start timelines and coverage transitions. Request claim numbers, expected timelines, and next action items before you hang up.
Credit card companies and credit bureaus: Close cards in your spouse’s name, remove authorized users as needed, and place a deceased alert with the major bureaus. This helps reduce identity theft risk right away.
3. Secure Financial Accounts and Prevent Identity Theft
Act early to protect cash flow and sensitive data. Start by identifying accounts in your spouse’s name alone and decide whether to close, merge, or retitle them. Ask each institution for its process and a list of documents to submit.
The goal is clean ownership and clean records.
You will want to:
- Change logins for joint online banking, investments, and bill-pay portals, and remove saved credentials from browsers and phones you no longer control.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication (wherever possible) for even greater protection. Keep a private list of updated usernames in your estate binder.
- Request a free credit report from every bureau and scan for unfamiliar accounts or addresses. If you find something odd, dispute it in writing and keep copies of your letters and confirmations. Repeat this check a few months later; fraud sometimes appears after initial alerts fade.
Please Note: Set a simple monitoring routine for the next year: glance at statements monthly, keep paper mail forwarded, and watch for new-card offers or collection letters that don’t make sense.
4. Manage Immediate Bills and Ongoing Expenses
Even in the midst of loss, household expenses continue. Taking a clear look at what needs to be paid now versus what can wait will help you keep daily life steady while you sort through bigger financial decisions:
Housing payments: Keep mortgage or rent current. If the loan is in your spouse’s name, contact the servicer about your options and what documents they’ll require to speak with you.
Utilities and household bills: List what’s on autopay, what’s in your spouse’s name, and what needs to transfer. Make (secured) records of account numbers and due dates so you can call with everything in front of you.
Loans and credit cards: Track balances and minimums. Pause autopay if needed while accounts are updated, then resume with the correct payer.
Subscriptions and memberships: Cancel the extras: streaming services, gym memberships, and renewal programs you won’t use. Small cuts reduce clutter and unexpected charges.
Short-term budgeting: Sketch a 90-day budget reflecting current income and required expenses. This temporary plan buys you time to make measured choices instead of rushed ones.
5. Locate Your Spouse’s Estate Planning Documents
Find the will, any trust agreements, and related instructions. These documents clarify who carries out the estate, who inherits what, and how certain assets should transfer. Even a short, simple will can remove guesswork. If originals aren’t obvious, check fireproof boxes, desk files, and safe deposit boxes.
You’ll also need to check how assets are titled.
Joint-with-right-of-survivorship, beneficiary designations, and trust ownership often pass outside probate. That means some assets move by title or contract, not by what the will says. Understanding which is which keeps you from filing the wrong forms with the wrong office.
Identify the executor (also called personal representative) named in the will. If that’s you, collect mail, organize statements, and begin a list of tasks and deadlines. If there’s no will, state law determines the process and who can serve.
Please Note: Call an estate attorney if you’re unsure where to start, if family dynamics are tense, or if there’s real property, a business, or a large retirement account involved. A brief consult can prevent expensive detours.
6. Begin the Probate or Estate Settlement Process
Some estates need court supervision to transfer property, pay debts, and close accounts. Here’s how to think about the path ahead:
When probate is required: Probate often depends on the size of the estate, the types of assets, and whether titles or beneficiary designations skip the court process. Local thresholds and procedures vary.
Filing the will: The executor submits the will and required forms to the probate court. Ask the clerk which attachments they expect and how to publish required notices, if any.
Settling debts and distributing assets: The executor gathers assets, pays valid claims, and distributes what remains according to the will or, without a will, state law. Keep every receipt and a running ledger for transparency.
Working with professionals: An attorney can prepare filings, answer questions, and help you avoid missed steps. An accountant can set up simple bookkeeping for the estate and guide you on which accounts generate taxable income.
Timelines and expectations: Some estates close in months; others take longer if property must be sold or disputes arise. A dated task list, such as file, notify, inventory, and distribute, helps to keep everyone on the same page.
Please Note: In Wisconsin, even when probate goes smoothly and is uncontested, the process can stretch from six months to over a year.1 However, the state does provide a simplified option for smaller estates—if the total value is $50,000 or less, heirs may use a small estate affidavit.2 This alternative allows assets to transfer outside of formal probate, speeding up access to the inheritance.
7. Apply for Survivor Benefits
As a survivor, you may be entitled to further income benefits. These benefits can provide stability during a time of change and help ease the transition as you adjust financially:
You will want to:
- Contact Social Security: Call the Social Security Administration (800-772-1213) to report the death and ask about survivor benefits. You may qualify for a one-time death payment or ongoing benefits based on your spouse’s work history. Request a written summary so you can compare your options.
- Review retirement accounts and pensions: Look at any 401(k), 403(b), IRA, or pension your spouse held. As the surviving spouse, you may have choices, such as rolling funds into your own retirement account or postponing withdrawals, that can affect both your taxes and income timing.
- Check for military survivor programs: If your spouse served in the armed forces, research benefits that could include monthly income, healthcare coverage, or burial assistance.
8. Review and Update Insurance Coverage
Insurance plays a role in protecting your finances, health, and property. After a spouse passes, it’s very important to review policies and confirm they fit your current situation:
Life insurance: File claims, ask for payout timelines, and decide on the form of payment (lump sum or annuity). Confirm whether any small employer policies exist; you’d be surprised how often they do.
Health insurance: If coverage was through your spouse’s employer, ask about COBRA and how long it lasts. Compare Medicare, retiree coverage, or marketplace plans so there’s no gap.
Property and auto coverage: Update titles first, then coordinate policy changes. If a car is sold or stored, adjust coverage so you’re not paying for what you don’t need.
Beneficiaries on your own policies: Review every beneficiary designation you control: life, retirement, and payable-on-death accounts; you should update them to match your current wishes.
9. Organize and Inventory Assets and Debts
Create a master list of financial accounts, retirement plans, investments, and insurance policies. Add real estate, vehicles, and other titled items, plus valuables you plan to keep in the family. Note the institution, the last four digits of the account number, the point of contact, and where each document lives.
Clarity reduces stress and speeds up decisions.
Capture debts: mortgage, HELOC, credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Record current balances and due dates so nothing slips. Track who has already been notified and who still needs a call.
Keep every statement, letter, and receipt in one folder (digital or paper) labeled by topic—banking, insurance, taxes, property. When you’re ready to close the estate or prepare returns, everything you need sits in one place.
Update your executor’s binder with this inventory. If someone needs to step in for you temporarily, they should be able to follow your notes and keep the momentum. Good notes are a gift to your future self.
10. Close Email and Social Media Accounts
Digital life continues unless you close it with care. Taking these steps protects identity, privacy, and recurring charges related to the death of a family member:
Email accounts: Secure the inbox, forward important messages, and close accounts you no longer need. Many services may request a copy of the death certificate and proof that you have the authority to act.
Social media profiles: Memorialize or close accounts according to each platform’s rules. Decide what you want preserved and what should come down.
Digital assets: Consider digital photos, files, loyalty points, and any cryptocurrencies. Document the plan for transferring or archiving them.
Password management: Move all logins to a secure password management method you control and keep the recovery methods current.
Death of a Spouse FAQs
What are the rules around inherited IRAs for Spouses?
If you inherit an IRA from your spouse, you have more flexibility than other beneficiaries. You can roll the funds into your own IRA and treat it as if it were always yours, which means required minimum distributions (RMDs) will be based on your own age and timeline.
Another option is to keep the account as an “inherited IRA,” which lets you start taking withdrawals immediately without penalties; this is something that can be helpful if you’re younger than 59½ and need income sooner.
The choice you make affects how your future retirement accounts are taxed, the timing of withdrawals, and how your long-term retirement savings may grow. For example, rolling funds into your own IRA can provide continued tax-deferred growth, but it also means you’ll need to follow the standard RMD rules for your age. Keeping it as an inherited IRA may give you more immediate access, though it may trigger earlier taxable distributions.
Please Note: Since the right decision depends on your age, income needs, and long-term financial plan, many people find it helpful to speak with a financial advisor before making an election. A little guidance can help you avoid unnecessary taxes and align your choice with your future goals.
How soon should I begin handling financial matters after a spouse passes?
Start with urgent calls, such as Social Security, insurers, and banks, in the first week, and then work through the rest in phases. If you file taxes jointly, your tax filing status for the year of death may still be “married filing jointly,” which can influence timing and decisions.
Does every estate need to go through probate if there’s a will?
No. Assets with beneficiary designations, joint titles with survivorship, and trust-owned property often transfer outside probate. Whether probate is needed depends on what’s left in the estate and your state’s thresholds.
How many death certificates will I need?
Order 10–15 certified copies to start. Some institutions return originals after review, while others keep them. Re-ordering later is possible, but it slows the process.
What happens to my spouse’s debts?
Creditors are generally paid from the estate, not from heirs personally, though rules vary for joint debt and community property. Before paying anything large, verify the claim and ask the estate attorney or executor how to proceed.
Should I continue working with my spouse’s financial advisor?
If you trust the relationship and the service still fits your goals, continuing can help with continuity. If you prefer a change, request account histories and a clean transfer plan so nothing is lost in the handoff.
We Can Help You Take the Right Steps After a Spouse Passes
Losing a spouse reshapes life in ways that reach far beyond paperwork and accounts. While this checklist offers structure for handling immediate and ongoing tasks, many decisions, especially those tied to retirement accounts, taxes, and estate matters, benefit from careful guidance.
Our role is to help you make sense of the financial pieces during a time when it can feel difficult to look ahead. From evaluating survivor benefits to updating your long-term plan, we work with you to align today’s choices with your future needs.
If you’re facing these questions and would like support, we invite you to schedule an introductory call with our team. Together, we can create clarity and provide the steady direction you deserve.
Resources:
- https://bosshardparkelaw.com/blog/how-long-does-probate-take-in-wisconsin/
- https://www.fdlco.wi.gov/departments/departments-n-z/probate/estates-trusts/transfer-by-affidavit-50-000-and-under
Please note: The original blog, published on April 29, 2024, has been updated on September 2, 2025.
