FAQ: My mom/dad/spouse died yesterday–what do I do now?
First things first: attend to your loved ones and deal with the necessary arrangements for interment/memorials/etc. Everyone involved with the process will wait for you to do so.
Second: Get the funeral director to order certified death certificates from the state. Get at least five; they take a while to arrive. They’re not cheap, but they’re easier to have and not need that the opposite.
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Third: See if there’s a will. Whether there is or not, get the names, addresses and telephone numbers of anyone who might be interested in the estate(including creditors).
This is enough to get you started; when you come to see me, you’ll by this time have enough so that I can get started.
More to follow.