FREE CHECKLIST

Executor First-30-Days Checklist

What to do, in order, after a veteran dies. Tick each box as you go.

Days 1 to 3: Papers and the home

Order several certified copies of the death certificate. Banks, insurers, VA, and the court often each want one.Find the will and any trust papers, the DD214, Social Security numbers, the VA claim number, and recent bank statements.Find insurance policies, the deed, vehicle titles, and a list of monthly bills.Lock the home and collect the mail.Keep utilities, homeowner insurance, and vehicle insurance current.Keep a written log of every call: date, who you spoke to, and what was said.

Do not close accounts or move money until your legal authority is confirmed.

Days 2 to 4: Tell VA, Social Security, and other payers

Report the death to VA. Phone is the fastest way: call VA and select 5, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET (TTY 711).Confirm the funeral home reported the death to Social Security, or call 1-800-772-1213.If a benefit arrived by direct deposit for the month of death or later, ask the bank to return it. Do not cash checks that arrive after the death.Military retiree? Call the DFAS Casualty Care Team at 1-800-321-1080.Ask Social Security about the one-time $255 payment for a surviving spouse. It must be applied for within 2 years.

Ask VA before spending any payment that arrives after the death.

Days 4 to 7: Open the estate

Confirm who has authority. Ask the probate court clerk in your state which petition opens the estate.File the petition with the will and the certified death certificate.Apply for the estate tax ID number (EIN) with the IRS once authority is confirmed.File IRS Form 56 so the IRS knows who is acting for the estate.Open an estate bank account. Keep estate money and personal money separate.

Days 7 to 30: Burial, benefits, and accounts

Schedule a VA national cemetery burial through the National Cemetery Scheduling Office, 800-535-1117.Ask about the VA burial allowance (VA Form 21P-530EZ). For a non-service-connected death, file within 2 years after burial.Check Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). VA Form 21P-534EZ. A claim received within 1 year of a service-connected death can be paid from the first day of the month of death.Report the death to the Thrift Savings Plan at lifeevents.tsp.gov, and to life insurance companies.Notify the state motor vehicle office, the IRS, banks, credit card companies, credit bureaus, and utilities.Do not pay the veteran’s debts from your own money. Debts are normally paid from the estate. Talk to an estate attorney before paying anything.

Sources

Go deeper: The Executor’s Practical Guide · Veteran Legacy Checklist · Ask the Navigator

Get updates and the next free guide

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.

Educational information only. Not legal, tax, financial, or medical advice, and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Estate and probate rules vary by state; an estate attorney in your state can confirm what applies. Confirm forms, phone numbers, and deadlines on VA.gov.

$19.00

$190.00

$39.00

$390.00

Pregunte al Navigator

AVOY Veteran Navigator AIVA.gov en vivo · solo educativo

¿Desea una lista de verificación gratuita?

Ingrese su correo electrónico y le enviaremos la guía AVOY correspondiente.

Solo información educativa; no es asesoría legal ni médica, ni representación de reclamos. ¿Está en crisis? Línea de Crisis para Veteranos: marque 988 y luego oprima 1, o envíe un mensaje de texto al 838255.

Tu carrito esta vacío

Free Executor First-30-Days Checklist

Executor First-30-Days Checklist

Days 1 to 3: Papers and the home

Days 2 to 4: Tell VA, Social Security, and other payers

Days 4 to 7: Open the estate

Days 7 to 30: Burial, benefits, and accounts

Sources

Manténgase en contacto

¿Desea una lista de verificación gratuita?

Idioma

Idioma

Tu carrito esta vacío

Free Executor First-30-Days Checklist

Executor First-30-Days Checklist

Days 1 to 3: Papers and the home

Days 2 to 4: Tell VA, Social Security, and other payers

Days 4 to 7: Open the estate

Days 7 to 30: Burial, benefits, and accounts

Sources

Manténgase en contacto

¿Desea una lista de verificación gratuita?