🕊️ Death & Estate

What to Do When a Loved One Dies

Losing a spouse is one of life's most devastating experiences. In the weeks that follow, there are over 100 practical tasks that need attention — while you're also grieving. Lumeway helps you know what to do, in what order, one step at a time.

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See rules specific to your state:

What to expect

A timeline of what
needs to happen

Each phase has specific tasks and deadlines. Lumeway helps you stay on track so nothing falls through the cracks.

First 24–48 hours

Immediate needs

  • Obtain the death certificate (you'll need 10–15 certified copies)
  • Notify immediate family and close friends
  • Contact a funeral home to begin arrangements
  • Locate your spouse's will if one exists
First 1–2 weeks

Notify key institutions

  • Contact Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213)
  • Notify your spouse's employer about final paycheck and benefits
  • Contact life insurance companies to begin claims
  • Notify banks and financial institutions
  • Contact an estate attorney to begin probate if needed
First month

Financial and legal steps

  • Apply for survivor benefits through Social Security
  • Review and update health insurance coverage
  • Transfer or retitle jointly owned assets
  • Review and update your own will and beneficiaries
  • File for any pension or retirement account survivor benefits
First 3–6 months

Longer-term planning

  • File final tax return for your spouse
  • Close or transfer accounts in your spouse's name
  • Review your own financial plan and budget
  • Update vehicle titles, property deeds, and other legal documents
  • Consider meeting with a financial advisor

Critical deadlines

Don't miss these
time-sensitive steps

60 days
COBRA health insurance

You have 60 days from loss of coverage to elect COBRA continuation coverage. Missing this window means losing access entirely.

6 months
Social Security survivor benefits

Benefits don't back-pay more than 6 months. Apply as soon as possible — don't wait until you "feel ready."

9 months
Estate tax return

Federal estate tax return (Form 706) is due 9 months after date of death if the estate exceeds the exemption threshold.

2 years
File as qualifying widow(er)

You can file taxes at the married filing jointly rate for 2 years after your spouse's death if you have a dependent child.

Varies
Probate filing

Most states require the will to be filed with probate court within 30–90 days of death. Check your state's specific requirements.

No deadline
Update beneficiaries

There's no hard deadline, but outdated beneficiaries on retirement accounts and life insurance can cause serious problems. Do this soon.

National resources

Trusted organizations
that can help

🏛️
Social Security Survivors

Apply for survivor benefits, understand what you're entitled to, and find your local SSA office.

ssa.gov/survivors →
🇺🇸
USA.gov Survivor Benefits

Official government guide to all federal survivor benefits including veterans, federal employees, and more.

usa.gov/survivor-benefits →
🤝
Modern Widows Club

Community, resources, and peer support for widows navigating life after loss.

modernwidowsclub.com →
💙
GriefShare

Find grief support groups near you. Over 15,000 groups worldwide to help you heal.

griefshare.org →
🔍
Benefits.gov

Federal screening tool to find all government benefit programs you may qualify for after a spouse's death.

benefits.gov →
You
My husband passed away two weeks ago. I'm overwhelmed and don't know what to do first.
L
I'm so sorry for your loss. You don't have to figure everything out at once — let's take it one step at a time together. Can I ask, what state are you in?
You
California.
L
Thank you. In California, the will needs to be filed with probate court within 30 days. But the very first thing — have you been able to get certified copies of the death certificate? You'll need about 10–15 copies for insurance, banks, and government agencies.
You
I got 5 copies. Is that enough?
L
You'll likely want more — I'd recommend at least 10. You can order additional copies from the county recorder's office. Would you like me to walk you through what to do next?

See it in action

See how Lumeway helps

Try Lumeway's guidance navigator -- it walks you through each step of your transition. Plus, track everything in your personal dashboard.

Start a free conversation → Explore dashboard features

Common questions

Frequently asked
questions

Quick answers to help you understand what to expect and what to prioritize.

You'll typically need 10–15 certified copies. Banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and financial institutions each require their own original certified copy. Lumeway can help you track which institutions need one →
It depends on the complexity of the estate. If there's a valid will, no disputes, and the estate falls below your state's small estate threshold, you may be able to handle it yourself. For larger or contested estates, an attorney is strongly recommended.
As soon as possible. Social Security survivor benefits don't back-pay more than 6 months, so every month you wait beyond that is money you can't recover. Try Lumeway's free Transition Navigator for deadline guidance →
Prioritize housing (mortgage or rent), utilities, and insurance premiums. Hold off on debts that were solely in your spouse's name until you understand the estate's obligations — you may not be personally responsible.
Generally, you're only responsible for joint debts. In community property states, the rules are more complex. If creditors are contacting you, consult an estate attorney before paying anything.
Probate assets are those owned solely by the deceased with no beneficiary designation. Non-probate assets — like joint bank accounts, life insurance with a named beneficiary, and retirement accounts — pass directly to the beneficiary and skip probate entirely.

You don't have to do
this alone

Lumeway walks alongside you through every step — from the first phone calls to the longer-term decisions ahead.

Talk to Lumeway free → Get the Estate & Survivor Bundle — $16