Death of a Spouse

The death of a spouse is devastating. During such an emotional and difficult time, even just paying bills can seem overwhelming — but it’s important to ensure the deceased spouse’s financial wishes are carried out and the surviving spouse is covered financially. Know the laws of the country in which you reside.

Paperwork
Gathering the proper paperwork is the first step in settling your spouse's affairs. Start with the following:

• The Deceased's Will – Work with an attorney to review the deceased’s will, or if there is no will, discuss the next steps.
• Death Certificate – The death certificate will be needed for many financial procedures you will encounter. You should request several copies from the government.
• Complete List of All Properties – A list of real estate, stocks, bonds, savings accounts and personal property will be needed.
• Insurance Policies – These will help you determine if you are entitled to any benefits.
• Marriage Certificate – If you can't find your original marriage certificate, you can usually get a copy from the relevant government authority in the country you were married in.
• Birth Certificates for Dependent Children – Copies of birth certificates for dependent children are available from government offices where the child was born.

Many of the documents you need may be held in a safe deposit box. If you can open this safe deposit box before your spouse's death, take out all the contents.

Reassessing Your Finances
Review your will and make adjustments to reflect your new situation. You'll probably need to change who will inherit your assets and you may need to decide on a new executor. Change accounts and jointly held property to be in your name, including credit cards, deeds, etc.