Just Became an Executor? What to Do in the First Few Weeks

If someone has just died and their affairs are suddenly yours to sort out, take a breath. Almost nothing has to happen today. This is a marathon walked one step at a time, and the first steps are simpler than they feel.

First, the things that genuinely come first

Order several certified copies of the death certificate through the state vital records office, usually arranged via the funeral home. Many organizations will insist on a certified copy, so having a few saves weeks of waiting later.

The funeral home will usually report the death to Social Security for you; give them the deceased's Social Security number if you would like them to do that. Social Security also passes the notification to Medicare. Any benefit payments then stop, and a surviving spouse, or in some cases children, may be able to claim a small one-time death payment, so it is worth asking Social Security about eligibility when you speak to them.

Then, build your picture before you act

Before paying anyone or distributing anything, work out what exists: bank accounts, retirement accounts, insurance policies, property, debts. Retirement accounts and life insurance are usually paid to the beneficiary named on their own forms, outside the will, so contact each provider directly.

This is the stage where families discover how scattered a life's paperwork really is. If the person left an organized record, the whole job changes character. If not, expect detective work, and keep notes as you go.

Notifying, protecting, and keeping records

Notify the banks, credit card companies and credit bureaus so accounts are protected. Cancel the driver's license and return the passport so identity misuse is harder. Keep every receipt and record every expense, because an executor's job includes accounting for what came in and went out. Final tax returns will also need to be filed in due course.

You do not have to do it alone

Whether the estate needs to go through the probate court depends on what was owned and how it was titled, and the rules differ from state to state. Many states offer simplified procedures for smaller estates. An attorney can carry the legal corner while you handle the practical one, and for many families that split is worth every cent.

A free roadmap to follow

The free Executor Toolkit below gives you a Day 1 to Month 12 roadmap, notification letters you can adapt, and an expense tracker, so you always know what comes next.

Common questions in the first two weeks

Do Social Security payments stop on their own?

Once Social Security is notified, usually by the funeral home, payments stop. If the death has not been reported, call Social Security directly rather than assuming it has been handled.

What if there is no will?

A court can appoint a family member as personal representative, and the state's intestacy rules decide who inherits. See our plain-English guide to dying without a will.

Related guides

• What Does an Executor Actually Do?
• What Is Probate?

Get the Free Executor Toolkit

A complete Day 1 to Month 12 roadmap. The common mistakes that catch families out. Notification letters and an expense tracker. Free and instant.

Educational content only. This is general information, not legal, financial or tax advice. Estate laws vary from state to state. Please speak to a qualified attorney or advisor about your situation.