The House, Remarriage, and Long-Term Decisions
What legal documents should I update as a surviving spouse?
Short answer
Your will or trust (update beneficiaries and successor trustees), beneficiary designations on all financial accounts, your advance health care directive, your durable power of attorney, and your POLST form if applicable. Do this within the first year. Working with an estate planning…
What this usually means
Your will or trust (update beneficiaries and successor trustees), beneficiary designations on all financial accounts, your advance health care directive, your durable power of attorney, and your POLST form if applicable. Do this within the first year. Working with an estate planning attorney is worthwhile — your situation has changed fundamentally.
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.