The Complete Estate Administration Guide 2026

The first 24 hours after someone dies

Most families are paralyzed in the first 24 hours — not because they don't want to act, but because nobody has told them what to do first. Here's the actual priority order:

1. Obtain a signed death certificate from the attending physician or medical examiner (the funeral home typically handles this)
2. Contact the funeral home to begin arrangements — they will help obtain multiple certified copies
3. Order at least 10–15 certified death certificate copies. Banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, and government agencies each require an original. Most families order too few and experience delays.
4. Secure the home and any valuables if the deceased lived alone
5. Locate the will, trust documents, and any estate planning documents

Week 1 — Government and financial notifications

The first week is about notifications. Most agencies have time-sensitive deadlines that many families don't know about.

Government agencies to notify (week 1)

• Social Security Administration — call 1-800-772-1213. Report the death. Surviving spouse may be eligible for a lump-sum death payment of $255.
• Medicare — SSA typically notifies Medicare when you report the death to Social Security
• Veterans Benefits Administration — if the deceased was a veteran, call 1-800-827-1000 to report the death and inquire about survivor benefits
• Employer or pension provider — notify immediately to stop payroll and begin survivor benefit claims
• Union (if applicable) — many unions have death benefits for surviving family members

Financial accounts — week 1 priority list

Do not close any accounts during the first week — you need to understand what exists first. The priority is notification, not closure.

• Contact all known banks and credit unions to notify of death — bring death certificate
• Ask each institution for the account balance and what documentation they require for access
• Do not close accounts until you understand the estate's financial picture
• Note any accounts with a joint owner or designated beneficiary — these may transfer outside of probate

Month 1 — The administrative core

Month one is the most administratively intensive period. The following tasks don't require an attorney — they require organization and persistence.

Subscriptions and recurring charges

Most families severely underestimate the number of subscriptions the deceased had. A thorough search typically finds 20–40 active recurring charges. Check:

• Bank statements — look for recurring monthly charges
• Credit card statements — same search
• Email inbox — search for "subscription," "renewal," "billing," "receipt"
• Common subscriptions to cancel: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Spotify, Apple subscriptions, gym memberships, magazine subscriptions, cloud storage, antivirus software, newspapers, meal kit delivery, wine clubs, book subscriptions

Mail forwarding

File a mail forwarding request with USPS (usps.com) to redirect all mail to the estate executor's address. This ensures you don't miss bills, correspondence, or financial statements. Mail forwarding requires a death certificate and the executor's information.

Credit cards

Do not continue using the deceased's credit cards after death — this is fraud, even for authorized users. Notify each credit card company. They will typically:

• Cancel the card immediately
• Send a final statement
• File a claim against the estate for any outstanding balance

Outstanding credit card debt becomes a claim against the estate — it is paid from estate assets before distribution to beneficiaries, not automatically absorbed by surviving family members (in most states).

Understanding probate — and whether you need it

Probate is the legal process of validating a will and administering an estate under court supervision. Not all estates require probate, and the rules vary significantly by state.

When probate is typically required

• Assets held solely in the deceased's name (no joint owner, no designated beneficiary)
• Real property without joint tenancy or a living trust
• Estates above the state's "small estate" threshold (varies by state, typically $50,000–$184,500)

When probate is typically NOT required

• Assets with designated beneficiaries (life insurance, 401(k), IRA) — these transfer directly
• Jointly held accounts with right of survivorship
• Assets held in a living trust
• Small estates below the state threshold — simplified procedures available
• Community property states have specific rules for surviving spouses

Unclaimed property — a critical estate step

Every estate administration process should include a search for unclaimed property. The US holds over $70 billion in unclaimed assets — forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, life insurance payouts, security deposits, utility refunds, and investment accounts.

The average unclaimed amount per person is $892. For an estate, this search often uncovers assets the family didn't know existed.

Taxes — final return and estate taxes

The deceased's estate has tax obligations that are separate from any estate tax:

• Final individual income tax return — required for the year of death, due by the standard April 15 deadline (or October 15 with extension). The executor files this return.
• Estate income tax return (Form 1041) — required if the estate earns income after death (rental income, investment income, etc.)
• Federal estate tax (Form 706) — only required for estates over $13.61 million (2024 threshold). Most estates do not owe federal estate tax.
• State estate tax — 12 states plus DC have a state estate tax with thresholds as low as $1 million. Check your state.

Real property — homes, land, rental property

Real estate is often the most complex estate asset. Options for handling real property in an estate:

• Transfer to beneficiaries — if the will directs this, requires a deed transfer and potentially probate
• Sell the property — proceeds become estate assets to be distributed
• Joint tenancy property — passes directly to the surviving joint tenant outside of probate
• Living trust property — passes according to trust terms without probate

Real property transfers require recording a new deed with the county. This is a legal process — consult an estate attorney for real property transfers.

Digital accounts — email, social media, photos

Digital estate administration is increasingly important and often overlooked:

• Email accounts — most providers allow account closure with death certificate. Gmail allows Legacy Contact to be named in advance. Outlook/Microsoft requires a death certificate process.
• Facebook/Instagram — can be memorialized or removed. Requires ID and death certificate. Memorialized accounts allow friends to post tributes.
• Apple ID — If the deceased had an Apple Legacy Contact, they can access the account. Otherwise, Apple requires a court order for access.
• Photos and files — Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox all have processes for account data recovery with death certificate
• Financial accounts with digital-only records — some accounts may have no paper trail. Check email for financial statements and logins.

Final estate closure

Closing the estate formally involves:

1. Paying all valid debts and claims against the estate
2. Filing final income and estate tax returns
3. Distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries per the will (or state intestacy laws if no will)
4. Filing a final accounting with the probate court (if probate was required)
5. Petitioning the court for formal estate closure

Related resources

• What is Probate and Do You Need It?
• What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will?
• Estate Administration in California
• Estate Administration in Texas
• Estate Administration in Florida
• Free 200-Task Checklist Download