Immediate Steps Checklist: The First 72 Hours
Losing a loved one is overwhelming, but several time-sensitive tasks must be handled immediately to secure the estate and honor the deceased’s wishes. Key priorities include obtaining a legal pronouncement of death, securing the residence, and notifying family and employers. Once immediate arrangements (funeral or cremation) are underway, your focus will shift to the probate process—a legal phase that typically lasts 12 to 18 months. Because this delay often creates financial strain for heirs, an inheritance advance can provide immediate liquidity for estate expenses or personal needs while the court settles the affairs.
Top Priority Tasks:
- Pronouncement of Death: Essential for obtaining death certificates.
- Secure Assets: Lock the home, care for pets, and remove perishables or high-value items like jewelry.
- Locate the Will: Find the original document to identify the Executor or Personal Representative.
- Order Death Certificates: Request at least 10–12 certified copies for banks, insurers, and government agencies.
Whether a death was expected due to a long illness or was a sudden, shocking event, the days following a loss are often a blur of grief and responsibility. Knowing which steps to take—and in what order—can help you navigate this difficult time with more clarity.
Within the First 24 Hours
The first step is always the legal pronouncement of death. If the death occurs in a hospital or hospice, the staff will handle this. If it occurs at home, you must call 911 or the local coroner. Once this is done, contact a funeral home to arrange for the transportation of the deceased. This is also the time to notify immediate family, close friends, and the deceased’s employer.
Securing the Property and Dependents
If the deceased lived alone, one of your most important jobs is to secure the residence. This isn’t just about theft; it’s about protecting the estate’s value. Lock the doors, forward the mail, and ensure that pets are placed in a safe environment. Remove any high-value, easily portable items (jewelry, cash) to a secure location, as these are often the subjects of family disputes later on.
The Documentation Phase
Within a few days, you will need to start “gathering the paper.” Locate the Last Will and Testament. This document is the roadmap for everything that follows. You will also need to order certified copies of the Death Certificate. Almost every financial institution (banks, life insurance, social security) will require an original, certified copy to release funds or close accounts.
Opening Probate and Handling Costs
Once the Will is found and the Executor is identified, the legal process of probate begins. This involves filing the Will with the court to legally distribute assets and pay off debts. This process can be expensive, involving court fees, attorney retainers, and property maintenance costs.
If the estate is “asset-rich” (owning a house or stocks) but “cash-poor,” the family may struggle to pay for the funeral or keep the mortgage current during the 18-month probate wait. An inheritance advance is designed for exactly this situation. It allows you to access a portion of your inheritance immediately—often within 24–48 hours—to cover these urgent costs without taking out a high-interest personal loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When someone dies without a Will, they are said to have died “intestate.” Each state or province has specific laws (Intestacy Statutes) that dictate how the assets are divided—usually starting with the spouse and children. The court will appoint an “Administrator” to handle the estate instead of an Executor.
Financial experts typically recommend ordering 10 to 12 certified copies. You will need them for: life insurance claims, social security, bank accounts, investment accounts, real estate title transfers, and filing the final tax return.
Unless you are a joint account holder or a named “Payable on Death” (POD) beneficiary, you generally cannot access their funds until the court officially appoints an Executor. This is a common reason why families seek an inheritance advance to cover immediate burial costs.