Within the First Six Months
Keep up with the necessary paperwork that your spouse may have dealt with before.
Financial Housekeeping
- Update beneficiaries on your own insurance policies
- Change joint billings into your own name
- Look for all possible benefits you are entitled to military, credit life insurance, survivor’s benefits
- Change title of ownership on home, vehicles
- Get free credit reports for yourself and husband
- Ask your attorney if you need to set up a bank account in the estate’s name
- Pay estate bills as they come due from estate account, if applicable
- Review all insurance policies to make sure you are covered sufficiently, especially health insurance
- Review checking account for automatic debits
- Obtain appraisals, if needed, for estate tax return
Warning
Taxes due? Be aware of income tax dates for final tax return. File for an extension if needed.
Helpful Hint
Keep a joint checking account open for at least a year to deposit any checks in your husband’s name