What to Do Financially After a Spouse Dies: A Guide for Families
Quick Answer: After a spouse dies, only a small number of financial tasks need attention right away, such as notifying Social Security, checking on pension elections, and reaching out to an attorney and financial advisor. Most other decisions, including anything involving your home or long-term investments, can wait until you’ve had time to grieve and think clearly. Some account transfers and tax matters should be handled before the end of the year, but they don’t need to happen in the first days or weeks.