Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Probate, inheritance, and debt laws vary by state. Talk to a licensed attorney or tax professional about your situation.
TL;DR
- First days: Get a legal pronouncement of death, choose a funeral home, secure the home and pets, and find the will or trust documents.
- First weeks: Order certified copies of the death certificate, confirm Social Security has been notified, notify banks, insurers, and government agencies, and keep paying essential bills on the property.
- First months: Determine whether probate is needed, have the executor or administrator appointed if so, inventory assets and debts, file final tax returns, and then handle the house and belongings.
- Family members usually aren’t personally responsible for a loved one’s debts — the estate pays them — but there are exceptions (see below).
What should you do in the first 24–72 hours after a death?
Short answer: Get the death legally pronounced, arrange for the body to be transported to a funeral home, notify close family, and secure the person’s home, vehicle, and pets.
Who pronounces the death?
If the death happens in a hospital, hospice, or care facility, staff typically handle the pronouncement. If it happens at home and was unexpected, call 911. If the person was in home hospice, call the hospice agency first. Procedures vary by state and situation.
How do you choose a funeral home?
Under the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, funeral homes must give you a written price list for goods and services, and you have the right to buy goods and services separately instead of accepting a package. The FTC also notes you can supply your own casket or urn and recommends comparing prices from at least two funeral homes. Browse funeral homes in our directory to compare.
What else is urgent?
- Secure the home: lock doors, collect spare keys, and consider whether valuables, firearms, or medications need to be secured.
- Care for pets and plants.
- Forward or collect mail so bills and account statements aren’t lost.
- Look for a will, trust, or letter of instruction, plus any prepaid funeral or burial plans.
- Don’t distribute or sell belongings yet. Until it’s clear who has legal authority over the estate, avoid giving items away or holding a sale.
What should you do in the first two weeks?
Short answer: Order death certificates, confirm Social Security has been notified, and begin notifying agencies, financial institutions, and service providers.
How many death certificates do you need, and where do you get them?
Certified copies come from the vital records office of the state where the death occurred, according to USA.gov. Many organizations require a certified copy — for example, to notify Social Security and other agencies, close or transfer bank and credit card accounts, and claim life insurance or pensions. Some tasks (like canceling a subscription) may only need a photocopy. The funeral home often helps order the initial copies. Cost per copy varies by state.
Tip: Make a list of every account that will need a certified copy before you order, so you don’t have to reorder.
Do you need to notify Social Security?
Usually the funeral home does it. The Social Security Administration (SSA) says funeral homes generally report deaths, so you typically don’t need to. If no funeral home is involved or it doesn’t report, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) with the person’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death. USA.gov notes SSA accepts death reports only by phone or in person — not online or by email — and that SSA will notify Medicare.
What happens to the last Social Security payment?
SSA cannot pay benefits for the month of death. Per USA.gov, if someone died in July, the payment received in August (which is July’s payment) must be returned. If benefits were direct-deposited, notify the bank so it can return that payment and any later ones.
Are there Social Security death or survivor benefits?
- A surviving spouse may receive a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255; if there’s no spouse, some children may be eligible (SSA).
- Eligible spouses, divorced spouses, children, or dependent parents may qualify for monthly survivor benefits based on the deceased’s work record (SSA).
Which other government agencies should you notify?
USA.gov lists, depending on the person’s circumstances:
– State motor vehicles office — cancel the license or ID and transfer vehicle titles.
– IRS — final income tax return(s) must be filed (see below).
– U.S. Department of State — you can return the passport for cancellation to help prevent identity theft.
– State social services — SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, rental assistance.
– Local election office — cancel voter registration.
– Department of Veterans Affairs — burial, death, and survivor benefits; cancel compensation, pension, and other benefits.
– DFAS for military retirees and OPM for federal employees and retirees.
– A U.S. embassy or consulate if the person died abroad.
Which financial and private organizations should you notify?
USA.gov recommends reporting the death to banks, credit card companies, credit bureaus, and other financial organizations, as well as utilities, memberships, and subscriptions. A death notification checklist from the National Funeral Directors Association (posted by the Tennessee state funeral board) also suggests:
– Mortgage companies, lenders, financial planners, brokers, and pension providers
– Life, health, disability, and auto insurers
– The three national credit reporting agencies, asking them to list accounts as “Closed. Account holder is deceased.”
That checklist recommends calling first, following up in writing, and keeping copies of every notice you send.
Should you keep paying bills?
Keep essential services on the property (utilities, homeowners insurance, mortgage) active while you sort out who has authority, so the home stays protected. Ask the insurer whether a vacant-home policy or notice is required. Don’t pay unsecured debts like credit cards out of your own pocket — see the debt section below.
What should you do in the first few months?
Short answer: Figure out whether probate is required, get the executor or administrator legally appointed if it is, inventory the estate, deal with debts and taxes, then handle the house and belongings.
What is probate, and does every estate need it?
Probate is the court process for transferring a deceased person’s property. The California Courts self-help guide explains that, depending on the amount and type of property, you may or may not need to go to court — and an estate may need probate even if there was a will. Many states offer simplified procedures (such as small-estate affidavits) for smaller estates; thresholds and rules vary by state.
Assets that often pass outside probate include those with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts, payable-on-death bank accounts) and assets held in a living trust. The California guide notes beneficiary-designated accounts may require their own claims steps.
Who handles the estate?
- If there’s a will, the named executor usually handles it.
- If there’s a trust, the trustee manages trust assets.
- If there’s no will, state law sets an order of priority — in California, for example, a surviving spouse or domestic partner, then a child, grandchild, parent, and sibling.
- If probate is needed, a judge appoints a personal representative, who collects property, pays bills, and distributes what remains to heirs or beneficiaries.
In California, if you find an original will, you must deliver it to the court (“lodging the will”). Check your own state’s rules. An estate attorney can tell you which process applies; the California guide notes lawyer’s fees can usually be paid from the estate.
Rules vary by state: where to find your state’s official probate information
California is used as the worked example in this guide. Probate procedures, small-estate options, and who may serve differ by state. Start with your state court’s official self-help or probate pages, for example:
– California: California Courts Self-Help — Guide to property after someone dies
– Florida: Florida Courts — Probate
– Texas: Texas Judicial Branch — Rules & Forms (Probate & Guardianship) and the Texas State Law Library probate guide
– Illinois: Office of the Illinois Courts — Self Help
– Other states: the U.S. Department of Justice library keeps a list of court resources by state.
How do you inventory the estate?
Gather statements and documents for:
– Bank, brokerage, and retirement accounts
– Real estate deeds and mortgage statements
– Vehicles and titles
– Life insurance policies and pensions
– Valuable personal property (jewelry, art, collectibles, firearms)
– Debts: credit cards, loans, medical bills, taxes owed
For personal property that may be valuable, or when the estate needs documented values, consider a qualified appraiser.
Are family members responsible for the deceased’s debts?
Usually not. The FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) say debts are generally paid from the estate, and if the estate can’t cover them they usually go unpaid. Exceptions include if you:
– Co-signed the debt or were a joint account holder (not just an authorized user)
– Are a surviving spouse in a community property state — the CFPB lists Alaska (with a special agreement), Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin
– Are a spouse in a state that requires payment of certain debts, such as some healthcare expenses
– Were responsible for the estate and didn’t follow state probate law
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, collectors may discuss the debt only with certain people — such as the spouse, executor, administrator, or other person authorized to pay from the estate — and may not imply that relatives must pay from their own money (FTC).
What taxes need to be filed?
The IRS says the final individual income tax return is generally prepared the same way as if the person were alive, reporting income up to the date of death on Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Prior-year returns may be needed if they weren’t filed. To claim a refund, use Form 1310. IRS Publication 559 (Survivors, Executors, and Administrators) covers these duties. The estate may also have its own filing obligations. A CPA experienced with estates can help.
What do you do with the house and belongings?
Short answer: Wait until the person with legal authority approves, let family claim keepsakes, get valuable items appraised, then sell, donate, and clear out what’s left before selling or returning the property.
What’s the right order?
- Confirm authority — executor, administrator, or trustee.
- Family walkthrough — retrieve documents, photos, and agreed-upon heirlooms.
- Appraise valuables with an appraiser if needed.
- Sell — an estate sale company can sell contents. See our guide: How Estate Sales Work and What They Cost.
- Clear out what’s left — an estate cleanout service handles donation, recycling, and disposal. See Estate Cleanout vs. Junk Removal.
- Sell or transfer the home — a probate realtor is familiar with court timelines and approvals where they apply.
If a surviving parent is moving to a smaller home or senior living, a senior move or home organizer can help sort and plan.
Estate settlement checklist (printable)
First days
– [ ] Death pronounced; body transported
– [ ] Funeral home chosen; written price list requested
– [ ] Home, vehicle, pets secured; mail collected
– [ ] Will, trust, and prepaid plans located
First weeks
– [ ] Certified death certificates ordered
– [ ] SSA notified (confirm with funeral home); month-of-death payment returned
– [ ] Banks, insurers, pension providers, credit bureaus notified
– [ ] DMV, passport, VA/OPM/DFAS, voter registration as applicable
– [ ] Copies of all notices kept
First months
– [ ] Determine whether probate or a simplified process is needed
– [ ] Executor/administrator/trustee confirmed or appointed
– [ ] Inventory of assets and debts
– [ ] Final income tax return(s) filed
– [ ] Belongings appraised, distributed, sold, donated, cleared
– [ ] Property sold or transferred; estate closed
Frequently asked questions
Who reports a death to Social Security?
Usually the funeral home. If not, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213. SSA accepts death reports by phone or in person only.
Do I have to return the deceased’s Social Security payment?
Yes, for the month of death. SSA can’t pay benefits for the month the person died, so the payment received the following month must be returned.
How do I get a death certificate?
Order certified copies from the vital records office in the state where the death occurred. The funeral home often helps with the first order.
Does a will mean the estate avoids probate?
No. A will names who inherits and who’s in charge, but an estate may still need probate. Trusts and beneficiary designations are common ways assets pass outside probate.
Am I responsible for my parent’s credit card debt?
Generally no, unless you co-signed, were a joint account holder, or another exception applies. Debts are usually paid from the estate.
Is there a Social Security death benefit?
A surviving spouse may receive a one-time $255 payment; some children may qualify if there’s no spouse. Monthly survivor benefits may also be available to eligible family members.
When can we clean out or sell the house?
After the person with legal authority (executor, administrator, or trustee) approves. Acting earlier can create legal and family problems.
Who files the deceased person’s final tax return?
The executor or person responsible for the estate, using Form 1040 or 1040-SR. See IRS Publication 559.
Do I need an attorney?
Not always, but an estate attorney can confirm whether probate applies and what your state requires.
Sources
- Social Security Administration — What to do when someone dies: https://www.ssa.gov/personal-record/when-someone-dies
- Social Security Administration — Survivor benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
- USA.gov — Agencies to notify when someone dies: https://www.usa.gov/report-a-death
- USA.gov — How to get a certified copy of a death certificate: https://www.usa.gov/death-certificate
- USA.gov — Report the death of a Social Security or Medicare beneficiary: https://www.usa.gov/social-security-report-a-death
- FTC — Shopping for Funeral Services: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/shopping-funeral-services
- FTC — Debts and Deceased Relatives: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/debts-and-deceased-relatives
- FTC — Dealing with a deceased relative’s debt: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/06/dealing-deceased-relatives-debt
- CFPB — Does a person’s debt go away when they die?: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/does-a-persons-debt-go-away-when-they-die-en-1463/
- IRS — File the final income tax returns of a deceased person: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/file-the-final-income-tax-returns-of-a-deceased-person
- California Courts Self-Help — Guide to property after someone dies: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate
- NFDA Death Notification Checklist (via Tennessee Board of Funeral Directors): https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/funeral/forms/FuneralDeathNotificationChecklist.pdf
- Florida Courts — Probate: https://www.flcourts.gov/Courts-System/florida-courts-help/other-resources/probate
- Texas Judicial Branch — Rules & Forms: https://www.txcourts.gov/forms.aspx
- Texas State Law Library — Probate: Informal Methods: https://guides.sll.texas.gov/probate/informal-methods
- Office of the Illinois Courts — Self Help: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/self-help/
- U.S. Department of Justice — Court Resources by State: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/ls/state