They took care of everything. Now it's your turn.
There's no rush. But knowing what comes next — and in what order — makes an impossible time a little more manageable.
What happens now
The days after losing a parent are a blur. Funeral arrangements, family logistics, and grief all compete for your attention. The administrative tasks can wait — but not forever.
What happens next depends on what your parent had in place. A trust means assets pass directly to you with no court involvement. A will means probate — a court-supervised process that can take months. No documents at all means state law decides who inherits and a judge oversees every step.
You don't need to figure it all out today. But understanding the path ahead helps you know what questions to ask and when.
What you need to know
1
Find the documents
Look for a trust, will, and powers of attorney. Check their home, safe deposit box, attorney's office, or ask if they told anyone where they kept important papers.
2
Obtain death certificates
You'll need certified copies — typically 10-15, sometimes more. Banks, insurers, the DMV, and government agencies all require originals, not photocopies.
3
Notify key parties
Social Security, Medicare, banks, insurers, credit cards, employers. Each has its own process and timeline.
4
Understand your role
Are you named as executor (for a will) or successor trustee (for a trust)? These are different jobs with different responsibilities.
5
Secure the assets
Property needs protection, bills need payment, and nothing can fall through the cracks while the estate is being settled.
6
Don't distribute too early
Creditors have a window to make claims. Distributing assets before that window closes can make you personally liable.
Your death of a parent checklist
Locate trust, will, and other estate planning documents
Order certified death certificates — how many do you need?
Notify Social Security and stop any benefit payments
Notify health insurance (Medicare, private insurers)
Contact life insurance companies to file claims
Secure the home and any valuables
Notify banks and investment accounts
If there's a trust: begin trust administration
If there's a will: file with probate court and begin process
Keep detailed records of all expenses and distributions
Frequently Asked Questions
Take care of yourself and your family first. The administrative tasks can wait a few days. When you're ready, start by finding the estate planning documents — trust, will, powers of attorney. Everything else flows from what those documents say (or don't say).
Check their files at home, any safe deposit box, and ask their attorney if they had one. Some people tell family members where documents are kept; others don't. If you can't find anything, you may need to proceed as if there's no estate plan — which means state intestacy laws control.
An executor is named in a will and manages the probate process — a court-supervised proceeding. A trustee is named in a trust and manages trust assets — no court involved. Some people serve as both. The jobs overlap but have different legal requirements and timelines.
Trust administration can be done in a few months for simple estates. Probate typically takes 6-18 months, depending on the state and estate complexity. Contested estates or tax issues can extend either process significantly.
Not always, but often helpful. Simple trust administrations can sometimes be handled without an attorney. Probate usually benefits from legal guidance, especially if the estate is large, there are disputes, or the process is unfamiliar. An initial consultation can help you decide.
Free tools to help
Documents and calculators to guide you through the process.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
Use Calculator
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Get a personalized checklist for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.
Get Checklist
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
Use Calculator
What Are My Duties as Executor?
Complete guide for executors and personal representatives navigating probate. Court filings, creditor claims, and distribution timelines.
Get Checklist
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
Use Calculator
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When you're ready, this won't take long. Settling the estate, claiming survivor benefits, retitling assets, and updating your own plan.
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Retirement
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