In this episode of Trust Us: Estate Planning Wisdom, Danielle Friedman, Herb Fineburg, and Charles Max McCauley walk through the essential first steps after the loss of a spouse. From handling funeral arrangements to locating assets, understanding Social Security benefits, and navigating probate, the hosts provide practical, compassionate guidance for surviving spouses. This episode emphasizes what truly matters in those early days—taking time to grieve, seeking trusted professional help, and knowing you don’t have to navigate the process alone.

Episode Timeline

00:00 Introduction to Post-Death Planning
02:15 Grief First: Why Nothing Is Immediate
05:30 Funeral Arrangements & Prepaid Plans
08:10 First Calls: Attorney and Accountant
11:20 Using Tax Returns to Locate Assets
14:05 Reviewing Mail & Financial Records
17:20 Importance of the Death Certificate
22:15 Social Security Benefits & Next Steps
27:45 Employer Benefits & Insurance Coverage
32:10 Tracking Assets Through Bank Statements
36:25 Digital Assets & Password Access
41:50 Understanding Probate & How to Avoid It
46:30 Managing Bills and Creditors
50:15 Final Takeaways: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone