UNITED STATES After-Death Checklist: A Practical Guide on What to Do and Who to Notify (US Edition)

United States After-Death Checklist: A Practical Guide on What to Do and Who to Notify (US Edition)

Written by professionals who've walked this path themselves — for the families who need it most.

When someone you love dies, you're handed a list of urgent tasks at the exact moment you have the least capacity to handle them. Death certificates, Social Security, banks, pensions, digital accounts — all while grieving.

Wayne Hutchinson, MCMA (Member of the Complementary Medical Association), and Nadeen Swaby, founders of Handle My Affairs, combine specialist training in grief, bereavement, and trauma-informed support with their own lived experience of loss. They created this guide because they know firsthand how much harder grief becomes when no one hands you a clear roadmap.

This isn't a generic checklist. It's a step-by-step, plain-English guide to the entire after-death process in the United States — from the first few days through final estate administration — covering exactly who to notify, what forms you'll need, and which deadlines actually matter.

Inside this guide, you will find:

• Immediate steps to take after a death, including obtaining certified death certificates and arranging a funeral
• Who to notify, including the Social Security Administration, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, the IRS, state agencies, and other key organisations
• A comprehensive guide to Social Security survivor benefits and how to maximise your entitlements
• Probate explained in plain English, including small estate procedures and when probate may not be required
• Federal estate tax, the Step-Up in Basis rule, portability, and important tax considerations for inherited assets
• What happens if someone dies without a Will, including state intestacy rules and inheritance rights
• Guidance on inherited IRAs, 401(k)s, HSAs, and retirement accounts, including the SECURE Act's 10-year rule
• Joint bank accounts, jointly owned property, community property, and beneficiary designations
• Life insurance claims, employer death benefits, pensions, savings bonds, and Treasury securities
• Finding unclaimed property, dormant bank accounts, lost pensions, forgotten retirement benefits, and other overlooked assets
• Medicaid estate recovery, medical debt, and protecting the estate from unnecessary losses
• Digital legacy planning, including Facebook, Google, Apple, LinkedIn, PayPal, Amazon, and other online accounts
• Guardianship, trusts, and financial considerations for protecting children
• Essential checklists, key contacts, and support organisations to help you stay organised throughout the process

This updated 2026 edition includes guidance on the latest Social Security survivor benefit changes, inherited retirement account rules, federal estate tax thresholds, state-specific considerations, unclaimed assets, digital legacy planning, and many other topics that families often discover too late.

Whether you are dealing with a bereavement today or planning ahead to protect your loved ones, this checklist is designed to bring structure, reassurance, and peace of mind during one of life's most difficult moments.

Please note: Laws relating to probate, inheritance, estate administration, taxation, and other matters vary from state to state. This guide explains federal rules and common state practices but is intended for informational purposes only. It does not replace professional legal, financial, or tax advice specific to your circumstances.