When someone you love dies, their bills, accounts, and benefits don’t stop on their own, and someone has to report the death, find out what’s owed, and settle the estate. Most of that can wait until you’ve had time to breathe. A few things can’t: getting certified copies of the death certificate, reporting the death to Social Security, and knowing that you generally don’t owe their debts out of your own pocket.
1. Get copies of the death certificate
Nearly every agency and company on this list will ask for a certified copy, so order several. The funeral home can usually order them for you.
You can also get them online, in person, or by mail from the vital records office in the state where the person died.
2. Secure important documents
Gather these early. The executor, agencies, and banks will ask for many of them, and some originals may be hard to replace.
Identity and family records
- Social Security number
- Birth certificate
- Marriage, divorce, citizenship, and adoption certificates
- Military records
Money and accounts
- Bank account numbers
- Records of investments and other income
- Debts, including credit cards and property taxes
- Insurance policy numbers and insurer contact information
- Most recent tax return
Property and estate documents
- Their most recent will, the original signed copy
- Home deed and any trust documents
- Car title and registration
3. Contact the Social Security Administration
Funeral directors usually report deaths to the Social Security Administration (SSA). If yours didn’t, call the SSA at 800-772-1213. You’ll need the person’s Social Security number, birthdate, and date of death.
Two benefits may be available:
- A one-time $255 payment to a surviving spouse who lived with them, or, if there’s no spouse, to a child eligible for benefits on their record.
- Monthly survivor benefits for eligible spouses, ex-spouses, children, and dependent parents of someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
4. Notify agencies and financial institutions
Most agencies will ask for the person’s Social Security number and a certified copy of the death certificate.
Agencies to notify for everyone
Agencies to notify if they apply
Then contact everyone else they had an account or policy with, including:
- Brokerage firms
- Health insurance companies
- Auto and home insurers
- Life insurance companies
- Long-term care insurance companies
- Mortgage and auto loan lenders
5. Don’t pay their debts out of pocket
Debts are paid from the person’s estate, meaning the money and property they left behind. If the estate runs out, the remaining debts generally go unpaid. You are not responsible for someone else’s debt, according to the CFPB.
The exceptions are debts you share:
- Cosigned loans. If you cosigned, you owe the loan balance.
- Joint accounts. As a joint owner, you can owe the full balance, not just half.
- Community property states. A surviving spouse may share responsibility for certain debts taken on during the marriage in Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. A few other states, including Alaska, let couples opt in.
Being an authorized user on their credit card doesn't make you responsible for the balance.
Loans backed by property, like a mortgage or a car loan, are different. If no one keeps up the payments, the lender can take back the home or car. If you want to keep the home, contact the mortgage servicer early. A HUD-approved housing counselor can walk you through your options at no cost.
If a debt collector calls
They can ask who’s handling the estate. They can’t discuss the debt with you unless you’re the spouse or the estate’s representative, and they can’t tell you that you owe it personally when you don’t.
Don’t agree to anything or send money on that call. Ask for the claim in writing first. If you pay a debt you didn’t owe, it’s hard to get the money back.
Because these rules vary by state, a licensed attorney or nonprofit credit counselor can tell you whether you’re responsible for a specific debt. If a collector pressures you to pay what you don’t owe, you can submit a complaint to the CFPB.
6. File for life insurance and survivor benefits
Two claims to file:
- Life insurance. If you’re the beneficiary of a policy, have the policy number and notify the insurer of the death. Ask how to submit a claim, including whether you can file online. You’ll need to decide if you want the payout in a lump sum or through installment payments.
- Survivor benefits. Call 800-772-1213 to apply or schedule an appointment.
7. Handle the estate and probate process
Probate is the legal process of transferring a person’s property after they die. That can include:
- Real estate
- Cars
- Bank accounts
- Business interests
- Personal items (collectibles, jewelry, art, etc.)
What happens next will depend on whether or not the person had a valid will.
Probate rules and small-estate limits vary by state. If you've been named executor, or the estate includes a home, a business, or more debt than assets, a probate attorney can tell you what's required where they lived.
8. Protect their credit and identity
Scam artists can use a deceased person’s Social Security number to open fraudulent accounts or rack up debt on an account that hasn’t been closed yet. Here are some steps you can take to protect their identity:
- Report the death to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Only a spouse, executor, or other legally authorized person can do this. Send a certified copy of the death certificate, not the original. The bureaus then add a deceased alert to their reports, which can stop new applications in their name.
- Look out for signs of identity theft. That can include calls from collection agencies or creditors regarding accounts that were opened after your loved one died. If this happens, contact them immediately to report the death.
9. Cancel accounts and subscriptions
Contact the number on bills or statements for:
- Utilities
- Cellphone plans
- Streaming services
- Shopping services and other subscriptions
- Gym memberships
- Social media and email accounts
Company policies vary, but you may need to provide a copy of the death certificate.
10. File final tax returns
If the estate needs Form 1041 or 706, a tax professional who handles estates can help the executor file.
11. Take care of your own finances
If you depended on their income, look into government help with food, housing, and utility bills. A nonprofit credit counselor can help you rework your budget and plan around any debts. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling offers free or low-cost counseling at 800-388-2227.
Bottom line
Start with certified copies of the death certificate and a call to Social Security, and don't pay any of their debts until you know you actually owe them. The rest can move at the pace the estate allows.
When you're ready, a Kikoff Credit Account opens in your name alone, with no credit check, and reports your on-time payments to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is meant for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
