This document outlines 10 things every woman should do before the death of her spouse. These include: 1) creating an inventory of physical and non-physical assets; 2) understanding available Social Security benefits; 3) knowing the location of important documents; 4) ensuring beneficiaries are up-to-date on financial accounts; 5) selecting a trusted financial planner; 6) determining any available veteran's benefits; 7) completing estate planning documents; 8) selecting an estate administrator; 9) identifying outstanding debts; and 10) discussing burial wishes and pre-planning for funerals. The overall goal is to be prepared financially and practically for the death of a spouse.

1. 1. Inventory physical and non-physical items.
Make a list of items in your home of value. Jewelry,
power tools, computers, guns, collectibles, etc.
Make a list of non physical items such as brokerage
accounts, 401(k) plans, IRA assets, bank accounts,
life insurance policies, long-term care policies, an-
nuities, etc.
2. Know what benefits are available to you from
the Social Security administration.
Lump sum benefits and/or monthly benefits may be
payable to spouse/children.
Know information on your spouse’s employer,
approximate earnings for the last two years, and
where to locate tax returns, marriage certificate and
Social Security numbers for spouse and children.
3. Know where to locate important papers.
Know where stock and bond certificates, partnership
papers, power of attorney, wills, trust, bank docu-
ments, medical records, and others are located.
Passwords for computers and online accounts are also
important. Have all of this information saved some-
where and give access to a third person in the event
you and your spouse should pass at the same time.
4. Review IRA, bank accounts, retirement accounts,
and 401(k)s for updated beneficiary information.
Wills will not ensure that your assets pass to your
loved ones. Beneficiary designations are the only
way to ensure your assets go to those you intend.
Life insurance, annuities, 401(k) should all be re-
viewed to ensure proper beneficiary designations.
Bank accounts, CD accounts, individual brokerage
accounts are susceptible to probate as you must
assign transfer on death designations. Without this
feature, your assets will pass through probate and
be distributed according to court instructions.
TOP 10 THINGS
every woman should do
BEFORE the death of her spouse:
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2. 5. Select a financial planner in which you and your
spouse are comfortable.
This should be someone you trust to be with you for
the decisions you will make for the rest of your life.
6. If your spouse is a veteran, government life insur-
ance and/or veterans benefits may be available.
7. Initiate important estate planning documents.
At the very least, everyone should have a will,
power of attorney, trust and guardianship for any
minor children.
8. Once your estate planning documents are final-
ized, select an estate administrator.
This should be someone responsible for follow-
ing the rules of your will in the event of your death
and someone that will be responsible for making
decisions. You should think about your death would
impact the decision-making ability of that person.
Once selected, send copies of your estate plan-
ning documents to your estate administrator.
9. Know your outstanding debt.
This should include a list of credit cards, auto loans,
mortgages, home lines of credit, etc.
10. Discuss with your spouse burial wishes and con-
sider pre planning for your own funeral as well
as your spouse.
Your Company Name | yourwebsite.com | 855.555.5555
TOP 10 THINGS
every woman should do
BEFORE the death of her spouse:
D'Arcy Wealth Management, Inc www.darcywealthmanagement.com 909.754.1570