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My Husband Just Passed Away – Now What Do I Do?

July 20, 2017 by Catherine Gareri

After the loss of a spouse, especially when it comes unexpectedly, it can be overwhelming to have to deal with so many financial and lifestyle decisions. Many women find themselves in a situation that they may not be familiar with—as many times, their husband has been the primary party dealing with the finances.

This may be the first time you are making these types of decisions on your own. It’s challenging to know which choices to make, when to make them, and sometimes, whether or not to make any choices at all.

But before it overwhelms you, remember: not everything has to be done immediately. Knowing which items to prioritize can help get you through this process, and hopefully, ease the stress of it all. We understand and can assist you with:

  • Gathering and completing death claim and change of ownership forms
  • Determining the value and location of all your assets and accounts
  • Updating Beneficiaries
  • Ensure you have the income you need to maintain your desired lifestyle
  • Updating your estate and wealth transfer plans
  • Communicating with your attorney and other family members

Obtain a Certified Death Certificate

The first thing that you will need to do is get copies of the certified death certificate. Many of the agencies that you will need to deal with will ask for a copy of the death certificate. This can be obtained through your county health department, or even the funeral director may be able to help you with this.

In addition to the death certificate, you will need to gather several other documents in order to obtain survivor benefits:

  • Social Security numbers—for you, your spouse, and your children
  • Military discharge papers, if applicable
  • Marriage certificate
  • Children’s birth certificates, for minor children
  • Your spouse’s will
  • List of your spouse’s personal assets
    • Real estate (titles/deeds)
    • Stocks, bonds, savings accounts
    • Other personal property

File Insurance Claim

Contact your insurance agent to file a claim so that you can resolve how your husband’s life insurance policy will be paid out. This is important to do early on so that the funds can be disbursed and you will have access to continue paying your financial obligations. Losing your spouse can be emotionally draining as well as financially draining, especially if he was the current primary wage earner. You don’t want to find yourself in a position where you aren’t paying your bills on time, as that could affect your credit negatively.

Find out what benefits you are eligible to receive 

Employee Benefits

If your spouse was working at the time of death, contact your spouse’s employer. Depending on what the company offers, there may be life, health, or accident insurance, of which you may be entitled to a benefit. There may also be an outstanding paycheck, unused vacation time, or sick pay that you can collect at this time as well. If the death was work-related, you may be entitled to an accidental death benefit, as well as worker’s compensation benefit.

Retirement Benefits

Determine what your options are to claim and/or potentially rollover and retirement accounts your spouse may have had. This includes, but is not limited to, employer sponsored plans such as Defined Benefit pension plans, 401(k), and profit sharing plans, and any individual retirement accounts your spouse may have had. Your options for each may be different, and you will want to discuss the best course of action with a Financial Advisor to be sure you make the best claiming strategy choices to avoid unnecessary taxes and to help ensure your own secure retirement. Simply rolling over all your eligible spouses retirement plans into your own name is not always the best strategy. Do your homework before claiming any benefits or rolling over any funds.

Social Security Benefits

If your spouse paid into social security for at least 40 quarter, you may be eligible for Social Security benefits. Find out if you qualify for a one-time death benefit (which can be used toward burial expenses) or a survivor’s benefit for yourself and/or your children. Contact the Social Security administration online at www.ssa.gov, call toll free 1-800-722-1213, email SSA, or find your local office.

Military Benefits

Did your spouse serve in the military or as a government employee? If so, you may qualify for a separate survivor’s benefit, educational assistance, home loans, federal job preference, or other assistance. To find out if you qualify for any of these benefits, contact the Department of Veteran’s Affairs or Federal Employees Retirement System.

Notify Creditors

Depending on the type of Will or Trust that your spouse had, his assets may go through probate. As this process occurs and as you obtain your insurance or other benefits, you will be able to pay off your spouse’s debts. During this time, you will also want to take steps to avoid any sort of identity theft. Close any accounts that were solely in his name, notify banks and creditors to have your spouse’s name removed from joint accounts, transfer automobiles into your name, and review with your financial advisor or attorney if it is necessary to transfer any real estate solely into your name.


Catherine Gareri, a Senior Associate with Finivi, works primarily with women going through a period of transition in their lives, or who are facing a new life challenge that may require difficult financial and emotional decisions to be made or at least considered, including caring for a loved one. If you need guidance navigating through a difficult life transition, we can help. You can call (800)530-6635 for a complimentary consultation or click here to schedule online.

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Eric C. Jansen, ChFC

Fun Facts About Me

When he is not researching the next great stock to add to client portfolios, you can find him travelling frequently with his family to Jackson Hole Wyoming.

  • Hometown: Chicago, IL
  • Birth Month & Year: November, 1964
  • Favorite Hobby: Goldmining in Nome, AK
  • Favorite Food: Steak at Charley’s Steakhouse in Orlando FL
  • Can't be interrupted when: Watching the Discovery Channel
  • Hidden Talent: Finish Carpenter
  • Something on bucket list: Obtain Helicopter Pilot License
  • Family Pet: Goldfish

Steven C. Johnson, ChFC

Fun Facts About Me

Steve would tell you that one of the best parts of the day is spent talking to clients and relationships that result from it. When away from the office, he loves to travel the back roads of New England enjoying all the great sites that can be found off the beaten path.

  • Hometown: Townsend, MA
  • Birth Month & Year: December, 1967
  • Favorite Hobby: Playing Hockey
  • Favorite Food: Chicken Caesar Salad
  • Can't be interrupted when: Watching the Bruins
  • Hidden Talent: Cooking – Makes a great Thanksgiving turkey
  • Something on bucket list: Travel to Italy and Greece
  • Family Pet: Max – our Pomeranian

Frederick M. Lane, ChFC, CASL

Fun Facts About Me

When not managing client portfolios, Fred can be found relaxing with family and friends.

  • Hometown: Nutley, NJ
  • Birth Month & Year: July, 1954
  • Favorite Hobby: Dog Walking
  • Favorite Food: Italian
  • Can't be interrupted when: Listening to Pink Floyd
  • Hidden Talent: Landscaping
  • Something on bucket list: Space Flight - Tourism
  • Family Pet: None

Catherine M. Gareri

Fun Facts About Me

When not caring for her clients Cathy enjoys relaxing in her yard at home.

  • Hometown: Bellingham, MA
  • Birth Month & Year: July, 1957
  • Favorite Hobby: Cooking and Entertaining
  • Favorite Food: Steak at the Capital Grille
  • Can't be interrupted when: It's family time
  • Hidden Talent: Dog Whisperer
  • Something on bucket list: Spending a couple months on the Almalfi Coast
  • Family Pet: In Between Mastiffs now so a little blue fish “Willy”

Katie E. Moore, CLTC

Fun Facts About Me

When Katie is not busy taking care of her clients, she spends her time being a mom to her two little ones, Owen and Isla.

  • Hometown: Modesto, CA
  • Birth Month & Year: September, 1982
  • Favorite Hobby: Swimming
  • Favorite Food: Mexican Food
  • Can't be interrupted when: I'm cooking
  • Hidden Talent: Climbed Yosemite's Half Dome, twice - no fear :)
  • Something on bucket list: See the Northern Lights and Potty Train my 2 year old
  • Family Pet: Caddy and Sierra – our two cats

Hesper Duval

Fun Facts About Me

Loves spending time with 2 daughters and enjoys participating in 5k obstacle races throughout the year.

  • Hometown: Charlton, MA
  • Birth Month & Year: October, 1981
  • Favorite Hobby: Running
  • Favorite Food: Cheesecake
  • Can't be interrupted when: Reading a good book
  • Hidden Talent: Interior Design and furniture restoration
  • Something on bucket list: To travel cross-country in an RV
  • Family Pet: Charlie and Nora, both black labs from the same litter

Donna Fournier

Fun Facts About Me

When not cheering for the Patriots, Donna spends her free time travelling throughout the United States looking for new haunted places to explore. She loves to wear her cowboy hat and boots when travelling out west.

  • Hometown: Swansea, MA
  • Birth Month & Year: February, 1961
  • Favorite Hobby: Exploring haunted locations
  • Favorite Food: Pizza
  • Can't be interrupted when: Eating my pizza
  • Hidden Talent: Rollerblading
  • Something on bucket list: Travel to Australia
  • Family Pet:  Had a pet skunk

Danielle Drew

When Danielle does not have her head in a book studying to expanding her financial planning knowledge, she enjoys anything active and outdoors, including visits to the beach and hiking.  

  • Hometown: Dennis, MA
  • Birth Month & Year: November, 1985
  • Favorite Hobby: Working out, concerts, and exploring wineries
  • Favorite Food: Lobster pot pie, cheeseburgers, BBQ, the list goes on...
  • Can't be interrupted when: Working out 
  • Hidden Talent: Country line dancing
  • Something on bucket list: To hike the 48, 4000 footers of New Hampshire
  • Family Pet: none, hopefully a big dog someday

Jay Willwerth, ChFC

Fun Facts About Me

Jay’s days are spent helping clients achieve their financial goals, followed by nights and weekends typically watching his daughters play competitive volleyball.

  • Hometown: Melrose, MA
  • Birth Month & Year: September, 1959
  • Favorite Hobby: Golf
  • Favorite Food: Anything at a Patriot’s Tailgate
  • Can't be interrupted when: Watching the Patriot’s Game
  • Hidden Talent: Competitive Volleyball Watcher (Mostly his 2 daughters)
  • Something on bucket list: Play a round of Golf at Pebble Beach
  • Family Pet: Bella, our Shih-poo
 

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