There are always loose end tasks to finish
Step 1: Many people say that you should notify all 3 credit bureaus to avoid having your parent’s identify stolen. (Transunion, Experian, Equifax) Online it says that if you notify one of them that they will share it with the other two. I tried each one and they wanted a bunch of information which I felt that they really did not need. So, I just uploaded a copy of the death certificate to Experian who made that easy for me and figured that they could either deal with that or I would just take my chances at having her identity stolen. UPDATE: We just received a letter from Experian that they noted she is deceased and will add it to any future credit reports so nobody should be able to obtain credit under her name. Both Transunion and Equifax also received the information from Experian and they informed us similarly.
Step 2: Missouri required me to return my disabled parking tag for my mom.
Step 3: Cancel any subscriptions, club memberships, email accounts, social media accounts, etc.
Step 4: Many folks also recommend returning a driver’s license. My mom only had a state ID, but I couldn’t figure out how to return it. I will take it to the DMV next time I go.
Step 5: Notify the election board to prevent voter fraud. (Look for a voter registration site for your county.)
LAST OF ALL: Notify the U.S. Post Office. Drag your feet on this one so that you do not miss any bills or interesting mail. I’ve had my mom’s mail coming to my address for several years now (remember that she had dementia) so I was in no hurry to stop that mail.
CLEAR OUT THE CRAP! I had already sold my mom’s property and downsized her several times before her death, so I was nearly done with clearing out her belongings. I sold her property as power of attorney before her death, but you would sell their property as trustee after their death if needed.
I promised you a SPREADSHEET! Here it is.