The first 10 things to do when someone dies
A calm, ordered list for the first two weeks — nothing more.
In the first days you don't need to understand probate or taxes. You need a short list of what actually matters now, so nothing urgent slips while you grieve.
This week
1) Get a legal pronouncement and start funeral arrangements. 2) Order 10+ certified copies of the death certificate — nearly everyone will ask for one. 3) Secure the home and make sure it stays insured (an empty house can lose coverage). 4) Look after pets, and secure any cash, valuables, or firearms.
Within a couple of weeks
5) Find the will and important papers. 6) Notify Social Security so payments stop (they claw back anything paid after death). 7) Tell the person's employer and any pension. 8) Forward the mail. 9) Cancel subscriptions and recurring charges. 10) Flag the three credit bureaus to prevent identity theft.
That's genuinely it for the first stretch. Everything after — court, accounts, taxes — comes later, one step at a time. When you're ready, the questionnaire tells you what your particular situation will involve.
Answer five quick questions and we'll tell you whether you need probate, what money you can recover, and the very first thing to do.
Start free →Common questions
About 10 certified copies. Many institutions require an original, and reordering later is slower.
No. Only a few things are urgent (secure the home, stop Social Security, order certificates). Probate, accounts, and taxes come later.