Emotional and Practical Survival
What is the most important thing to know as a surviving spouse?
Short answer
You have more time than you think for most decisions — and less than you think for a few specific ones (COBRA enrollment, Social Security application, the two-year window on home sale capital gains exclusion). Know which deadlines are real. Give yourself…
What this usually means
You have more time than you think for most decisions — and less than you think for a few specific ones (COBRA enrollment, Social Security application, the two-year window on home sale capital gains exclusion). Know which deadlines are real. Give yourself permission to be slow on everything else. The paperwork will still be there next week.
These questions protect families from the people who prey on them in the days and weeks after a death. This content builds enormous trust.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.