Take a Breath
Before diving into legal matters, give yourself permission to grieve. Most legal deadlines are measured in weeks or months, not days.
Immediate Steps
- Locate the will and trust documents
- Contact the attorney who prepared the estate plan
- Secure the home and personal property
- Gather financial account information
Within the First Month
- Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate
- Notify Social Security and other agencies
- Contact insurance companies
- Begin the probate process if needed
You don't have to navigate this alone. An experienced estate attorney can guide you through each step.