Entities to contact
Institutions or persons to notify
• Police: to occasionally check the house of deceased, if vacant
• Attorney: to learn how to transfer assets and assist with probate issues
• Utility companies: to alter or discontinue service
• Employer: to notify of death and learn of benefits
• Hospitals: to notify and cancel any upcoming appointments for the decedent
• Newspaper: to stop subscription and/or submit an obituary
• Post office: if necessary, to forward mail
• Bank: to locate accounts and safe deposit box
• Insurance agent: to obtain claim forms
• Social Services: to learn of benefits
• Social Security: to stop monthly checks and learn of potential benefits
• Veterans Affairs: to stop monthly checks and learn of benefits
• Agency providing pension services: to stop monthly check and obtain claim forms
• Accountant or tax preparer: to determine whether to file an estate tax return or final income tax return
• Investment professionals: to obtain information on holdings/assets