The Surviving Spouse’s To-Do List, Part 1: Paperwork

The death of a spouse is one of the most devastating events you will endure in your life. To make matters worse, you are asked to make significant decisions about your loved one’s burial and your financial future. Whether you were the financial decision-maker or not, the stress and sadness felt from this loss can make even the simplest of decisions feel paralyzing.

Our first bit of advice: don’t make any major decisions until you’ve had a moment to catch your breath and adjust to life without your spouse. Financial advisors typically recommend waiting six months to a year before making major changes to your financial portfolio. Trust me, there are a number of items you will be tasked with that should keep you busy in the coming weeks and months. Your primary focus – healing from this devastating loss.

While the next few months should be centered on healing, there are a few decisions you must make to get your affairs in order. Part 1 of our 6-part series addresses the first item on your to-do list – gathering your paperwork. Do not expect to tackle this entire list overnight; it could take months for some of this paperwork to come in. Use this as a guideline as you map out a plan of action for this new life you have suddenly been introduced to.

Gather Your Paperwork

There are a few documents you will need to gather in order to collect your life insurance death benefit, any additional benefits, and to update your estate.

• Death certificate- Order 15 – 25 copies of the death certificate from the local health department or funeral home. Your life insurance, bank, and financial institutions will require this when claiming benefits or making changes. Certified copies can be purchased through your local health department or the funeral home.
• Social Security numbers- You will need the Social Security numbers of surviving members of the estate, as well as your deceased spouse’s.
• Birth certificates- Make sure you have copies of the birth certificate for each dependent family member. Contact the county or state public health offices where each child was born to obtain a copy.
• Marriage certificates- This is required if you plan to collect any surviving spousal benefits and can be purchased from the County Clerk’s office where the original certificate was issued.
• Military discharge paperwork- If your spouse was ever discharged from the military, you will need a copy of their discharge paperwork (honorable or dishonorable). A copy can be requested online through the Department of Defense’s National Personnel Record Center.
• Insurance policies- Gather copies of each insurance policy. Review them for any potential benefits and/or necessary changes.
• Will- Wills are commonly stored with an attorney, in a safe, or safety deposit box. If you spouse did not have a will, his/her estate is dispersed in accordance with your state’s intestacy law. Any property titled in more than one name will automatically pass to the surviving co-owner.
• List of assets- Gather a complete list of assets. This should include items in your name, your spouse’s name, and jointly owned.

Unless you took an active role in the day-to-day finances, the paperwork could start to feel overwhelming. Keep your stress level at a minimum by developing a document storage system that is organized and safe, yet out of eyesight. Make notes on the outside of envelopes whenever necessary and keep a running list of all bills. Continue to pay outstanding balances as they arrive, but inquire about any items listed solely in your spouse’s name. Some balances, like federal student loans, are forgiven in the event of the borrower’s death.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we address the next items on your to-do list. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, at 1- 866-450-2424.