Losing someone we love is heartbreaking. In the midst of grief, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is paperwork, accounts, and legal matters. But the reality is, when someone passes, there are a lot of logistical things to handle—things we rarely talk about but should.
One of the best tips I heard from a friend recently was to keep their cell phone active until all important accounts are closed. Many banks, utilities, and other services send verification codes to the phone number on file. If you shut off their phone too soon, accessing those accounts can become much harder.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
🔹 Gather Important Documents Early – If possible, try to locate important paperwork ahead of time, like wills, insurance policies, and financial statements. Having them on hand makes the process smoother.
🔹 Know Their Online Accounts – Many accounts are now digital, with passwords stored on their phone or in a password manager. If they have a master password list or have shared key logins, it can save a lot of frustration later.
🔹 Notify the Right Places – Banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, and government agencies (like Social Security) all need to be contacted. It helps to make a checklist so nothing is missed.
🔹 Set Up a Trusted Person in Advance – If possible, having a Power of Attorney or an executor legally assigned before they pass can prevent a lot of confusion and delays.
These conversations aren’t easy, but they’re necessary. The more we prepare, the less stress there is when the time comes. If you’ve been through this, what’s one thing you wish you had known ahead of time?
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