First Week As A Surviving Spouse
What is the very first financial thing I need to do as a surviving spouse?
Short answer
Do not make any major financial decisions in the first week. The one practical step: make sure you have access to at least one bank account with enough money to cover immediate expenses — funeral costs, groceries, utilities. If all accounts were…
What this usually means
Do not make any major financial decisions in the first week. The one practical step: make sure you have access to at least one bank account with enough money to cover immediate expenses — funeral costs, groceries, utilities. If all accounts were solely in their name, ask the bank about a hardship release for immediate needs, or borrow from family if needed. Everything else can wait.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.