Estate planning &
settlement resources

Learn how to freeze specialty consumer reports after a loved one’s death to prevent fraud, including which agencies to contact and what documents you’ll need.

After someone dies, closing membership and rewards accounts is important. Here’s how to deactivate your a Starbucks account (updated in December 2025).

Learn how to tell your boss you're grieving in December 2025. Get tips on requesting bereavement leave, handling grief at work, and advocating for yourself.

Learn the estate settlement process, timeline, and costs in December 2025. Executor duties, probate vs non-probate assets, and more for families.

Learn what to do after mom dies with this complete checklist. Get death certificates, notify Social Security, secure property, and settle the estate. Updated in December 2025.

Learn how to close a bank account after someone dies (updated in December 2025). Get step-by-step instructions for major banks plus required documents.

Here’s everything you need to know about memorializing or deleting a Facebook account after someone dies (updated in December 2025).

Learn the critical steps of how to cancel digital subscriptions after someone dies, even without passwords, to manage their estate effectively.

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 to request, what information you’ll need, and the fastest ways to get copies for estate and legal tasks.

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, move-out, and security deposits.

Learn how to arrange immediate and long-term pet care after a loved one’s death, including what documents you need, how to transfer records, and how to follow the will or trust.

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 how to cancel a deceased person’s driver’s license or state ID, why it’s important, and which documents you need. A simple guide for handling this essential estate task.

Learn which documents are needed to cancel services after a loved one’s passing. This guide outlines what providers usually require, and how to avoid delays or continued billing.

This piece explores why even close families experience strain during estate settlement. It outlines practical ways to reduce tension, create structure, and move through the process with more patience and understanding.

Learn how to cash a deceased person’s check legally. Understand estate requirements, documents needed, and the proper steps to deposit or reissue checks.

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.

Find out how to get a deceased person’s Social Security number legally and safely. This article covers where to look first, and who’s allowed access during estate tasks.

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.

Learn how to notify Equifax of a death. This article explains what details to include, and how proper reporting helps protect the deceased’s identity and secure their credit file.

Understand how timeshares pass through an estate, what happens to ongoing fees, and whether beneficiaries have to accept ownership. This guide explains options for transferring, declining, or returning a timeshare after someone dies.

Learn how to stop or update automatic payments after a loved one’s death, including which accounts to check, documents you may need, and how to prevent unwanted charges.

Learn how long to hold on to a loved one’s tax returns and which records matter most. This guide explains the timelines, exceptions, and documents you should keep to help protect the estate and avoid future tax issues.