When a Spouse Dies: Legal and Financial Steps for Florida Trusts and Estates

Losing a spouse is devastating. This compassionate guide from Florida estate planning attorney Andrea Jakob walks you through what to do next — from ordering death certificates to reviewing your trust and re-titling assets — so you can take each step with confidence and care.

What to Do with a Trust

Immediate Actions for Every Family

• Secure Personal Property: Protect the vehicles, home, business, and other assets.
• Get Copies of the Death Certificate: You’ll need them for various tasks.
• Notify Social Security: Inform them about the death immediately to avoid over-payments
• Handle Medicare Details.
• Contact the Employer: Find out about benefits and final pay.
• Manage Insurance: Stop unnecessary health insurance and notify relevant insurance companies. Terminate any policies after officially taking over the estate.
• Cancel Identifications: Cancel the driver’s license, passport, voter’s registration, and club memberships.
• Close Online Accounts: Close email and social media accounts. Shut down any websites.
• Contact Your CPA.
• Contact an Estate Planning Attorney

What NOT To Do After a Loved One Dies

• Do Not Tell the Bank Right Away or Close Accounts too soon.
• Do Not Notify Utility Companies: Avoid having services shut off; 
• Do Not Give Away or Promise Items or Sell Personal Assets
• Do Not Drive Their Vehicles: Insurance may not cover you after their death.
• Do Not Let Others Move Into Their House.
• Do Not Let Homeowner’s Insurance Lapse: Ensure the house remains insured.
• Do Not Neglect Digital Assets: Manage online accounts, social media profiles, and digital currencies.
• Do Not Forget to Notify Creditors: Prevent further charges by informing creditors of the death.

The list provided is just a start, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Probate Attorney to know all of your responsibilities.