Estate planning &
settlement resources

Learn what to do after mom dies with this complete checklist. Get death certificates, notify Social Security, secure property, and settle the estate.

Here’s everything you need to know about canceling power company accounts and other common utilities after someone dies (December 2025).

Learn how to order certified death certificates, how many copies to request, what information you need, and the fastest ways to get copies for estate and legal

Learn how to notify a landlord or property manager after a tenant's death, what documents you'll need, and how to handle lease termination and security

This October 2026 guide explains how to deposit or reissue a deceased person's check through a proper estate account.

Learn how to arrange pet care after a loved one's death, from securing immediate shelter to transferring vet records and updating ownership in July 2026.

Learn how to report a death to TransUnion, what documents you need, and how marking a credit file as “Deceased” helps prevent identity theft and fraud. June

Learn when an estate needs an EIN, what documents are required, and how to apply with the IRS. A clear guide for executors handling estate taxes and accounts.

Learn the legal steps to get a deceased person's SSN, including where to look and SSA request requirements, updated October 2026.

Find out which documents you need to cancel services after a death in July 2026. Learn what providers require and how to avoid delays or continued billing.

Learn why family relationships change after a death and how structure, shared tools, and patience can help reduce tension during estate settlement.

Learn the steps to cancel a passport after a death, or keep it as a keepsake, with this updated October 2026 guide from Elayne.

Learn how to notify the VA of a veteran's death in December 2025. Get step-by-step guidance on reporting requirements, documents needed, and survivor benefits available.

October 2026 guide to driving a deceased person's car legally, covering documents, insurance, and title transfer rules.

Updated for October 2026: learn how long to keep a deceased person's tax returns and which records executors should retain.

Learn what happens to a timeshare after the owner dies, including fees, probate, and a beneficiary's right to decline it. Updated October 2026.

This October 2026 guide explains how to notify Medicare of a death, who handles the report, and how to avoid billing or fraud issues.

Learn how to notify Equifax of a death by mail, what documents to include, and how reporting protects the deceased's identity and credit file. (November 2025)

Funeral directors and hospice workers consistently describe the gap families face after a loss. Here's what they need most—and how Share Elayne helps.

Learn the steps to publish an obituary, where to submit it, and what it costs in October 2026, from newspapers to online memorials.

Learn how to stop or update automatic payments after a loved one's death. Covers which accounts to check, documents needed, and how to prevent unwanted charges.

Learn how to stop Social Security payments after death in December 2025. Step-by-step guide to report deaths, return overpayments, and update SSA records.

Learn how to notify Experian of a death in December 2025. Get step-by-step instructions, required documents, and tips to prevent identity theft after a loved one passes.

What to send a grieving friend? A thoughtful guide to flowers, food, cards, donations, and the practical help most people don't think to send.