Paperwork and process
What is the first legal step after someone dies?
Short answer
Securing the death certificate and identifying who has legal authority. Before you can act on anyone's behalf legally — to close accounts, sell property, or manage the estate — you need either a certified death certificate plus beneficiary designation, or court-issued letters…
What this usually means
Securing the death certificate and identifying who has legal authority. Before you can act on anyone's behalf legally — to close accounts, sell property, or manage the estate — you need either a certified death certificate plus beneficiary designation, or court-issued letters testamentary, or a trust document naming you.
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.