Guides

Plain-language walkthroughs

For the practical things.

The first 24 hours after a loss: a gentle checklist
What needs to happen now, what can wait, and how to take care of yourself in the first day after someone dies.
6 min read
How many death certificates do you actually need?
A practical guide to how many certified copies to order, who will ask for them, and what they typically cost.
5 min read
Notifying Social Security and claiming survivor benefits
How to report a death to the SSA, what survivor benefits exist, and what documents you will need.
7 min read
What an executor actually does (and does not do)
If you have been named executor or personal representative, here is a plain-language overview of what is ahead.
8 min read
Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule
Funeral providers must give you itemized prices and let you choose only what you want. Here is how to use that to your advantage.
5 min read
Veterans burial and memorial benefits
What the VA provides for honorably discharged veterans, including burial in a national cemetery, headstones, and a burial allowance.
6 min read
Filing the final tax return for someone who has died
What the IRS expects, who signs, and how the estate files separately when it generates income.
7 min read
Closing credit cards and freezing the credit report
How to notify the three credit bureaus, prevent identity theft, and avoid being chased for a deceased person’s debts.
6 min read
Avoiding probate with a small estate affidavit
Many estates qualify for a simplified, affidavit-based process that avoids full probate. Here is how to know if yours does.
6 min read
Transfer-on-death and payable-on-death accounts: how they work
These designations bypass probate entirely. Here is how to claim them and what to watch for.
5 min read
Claiming a life insurance policy
What insurers ask for, how long claims take, and what to do if you cannot find a policy.
5 min read
Closing digital accounts: email, social media, and subscriptions
How to memorialize, close, or take over the digital footprint of someone who has died.
6 min read

By state

What to do when a parent passes away

State-specific walkthroughs covering vital records, probate, and taxes.

The first 24 hours after a loss: a gentle checklist

How many death certificates do you actually need?

Notifying Social Security and claiming survivor benefits

What an executor actually does (and does not do)

Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule

Veterans burial and memorial benefits

Filing the final tax return for someone who has died

Closing credit cards and freezing the credit report

Avoiding probate with a small estate affidavit

Transfer-on-death and payable-on-death accounts: how they work

Claiming a life insurance policy

Closing digital accounts: email, social media, and subscriptions

What to do when a parent passes away