Pay bills. Don’t wait until the estate is settled to pay the mortgage, utilities and other bills, except for obligations owed only by your spouse, such as student loans or charges to a credit card in your spouse’s name only. In those cases, you may not be held responsible for repaying the debt.
Check workplace benefits. If your spouse was working, find out about employer benefits the estate may be owed, such as life insurance, unpaid bonuses and vacation pay. If you had health insurance through your spouse’s employer, apply for continuation of coverage through COBRA.
File life insurance claims. Call your agent and, if your spouse was employed, the company’s human resources department. Also investigate whether your spouse had any other insurance. If you believe a policy exists but you can’t find it, contact MIB Solutions’ Policy Locator Service (www.policylocator.com). For a fee, it will track down the application for the policy.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Notify Social Security. Call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 to report your spouse’s death and check eligibility for survivor benefits, including those for children younger than 18.
Close credit card accounts that are in your spouse’s name only. Also take your spouse’s name off joint accounts, and retitle real estate and cars. Notify the major credit bureaus to prevent fraud.
Cancel your spouse’s driver’s license and passport. Also close social media accounts, and cancel subscriptions and memberships.
Update your estate plan. That includes reviewing beneficiaries, naming a guardian for minor children, and giving a trusted friend or relative your power of attorney and health care proxy.
-
Amazon Ends Free Shipping Benefit Sharing with Non-Household MembersStarting October 1, Prime members will no longer be able to share shipping perks with those outside their household.
-
Big Tech Names Rise Above Broad Weakness: Stock Market TodaySome familiar names enjoyed solid rallies on the resolution of outstanding questions, but macro uncertainty hangs over the broader market.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to fund your retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2025 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day? Everything We Know, Plus the Best Deals on Apple, Samsung and MoreAmazon Prime Amazon Prime Day is four days this year. Here are the key details you need to know, plus some of our favorite deals to shop during the sale.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage RateBecoming a Homeowner Mortgage rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
