When someone in the family dies
We're sorry for your loss. When you're ready, this page walks you through money that may be owed to the family, and how to look into whether their will was changed right before they died.
First steps
- 1
Order several certified copies of the death certificate. Almost every claim below asks for one.
- 2
Find out who is in charge of the estate. A will usually names an executor; otherwise a court appoints someone (often called a personal representative or administrator).
- 3
Many claims need proof you're allowed to collect: court papers (sometimes called letters testamentary or letters of administration) or, for smaller estates, a short form your state allows. The county probate court clerk can tell you what your state uses.
- 4
Keep a simple folder or list of everything you find, with dates and phone numbers. The checklist below saves on this device only.
Money that may be owed
Check each of these official places. Most need a certified death certificate, and some need proof that you're the executor or an heir.
8 places to check
Your check marks are saved on this device only.
Life insurance and annuities
Policies the family may not know about. The NAIC's free locator asks insurance companies to check their records.
You'll need:
- From the death certificate: their legal name, Social Security number, date of birth and date of death
- Your name, address and relationship to them
- Submit a request on the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator. It's free.
- If a policy is found and you're the beneficiary, the insurance company contacts you directly. If you're not, you won't hear back.
Unclaimed property in their name
Bank accounts, refunds, deposits and payouts the state is holding. Heirs and executors can claim it.
You'll need:
- Their full name and past addresses
- The death certificate
- Proof you're entitled: the will, court papers or your state's heir form
- Search MissingMoney.com and each state they lived in.
- File the claim on the state's official site and follow its rules for deceased owners.
Their final tax refund
If they were owed a refund on their last tax return, a family member or the estate can claim it.
You'll need:
- Their final tax return
- IRS Form 1310 (unless you're a surviving spouse filing jointly or a court-appointed representative)
- File their final return.
- Attach Form 1310 to claim the refund for them.
Savings bonds they owned
Matured bonds that were never cashed. Heirs can cash or reissue them.
You'll need:
- Their Social Security number, typed only on the Treasury's site
- The death certificate
- Search Treasury Hunt.
- Follow the Treasury's steps for bonds of an owner who has died.
Pensions and 401(k)s
Retirement money from their old jobs, which may pay a surviving spouse or a named beneficiary.
You'll need:
- Names of their past employers
- The death certificate
- Call the HR or benefits office at each past employer and ask for the plan administrator.
- Search PBGC's list for pensions from companies whose plans ended.
The Labor Department's retirement lost-and-found only searches your own Social Security number, not someone who has died.
VA life insurance (veterans)
Life insurance money from the VA that was never paid out to beneficiaries.
You'll need: The veteran's name.
- Search the VA's unclaimed insurance funds list.
- Follow the VA's steps to claim.
Accounts at banks that closed
Money left at banks or credit unions that failed.
You'll need:
- Their name
- The death certificate and proof you're entitled
- Search the FDIC's unclaimed funds list.
- For credit unions, search the NCUA's list.
Was the will changed right before they died?
A late change isn't automatically wrong, but sometimes a sick or isolated person is pressured into changing their will. This worksheet helps you get the will, line up the dates, note anything a lawyer should hear about, and find a lawyer in their state.
1. Who and where
Their will is handled in the state and county where they lived, which isn't always where they died. Everything you type on this page stays on this device and is never sent anywhere.
2. Get a copy of the will
When someone dies, their will is usually filed with the probate court in the county where they lived. In most states, once it's filed it becomes a court record you can ask to see.
Call or visit the court clerk with their full name and date of death. Ask for copies of the will and any later changes (called codicils), the papers that opened the estate, and the list of heirs and beneficiaries. Copy fees are usually small.
To find the court, search for "county name probate court" with the state name and use the site ending in .gov, or call the county clerk's office.
3. Put the dates in order
Leave out any you don't know.
4. Check what applies
These are the kinds of facts courts weigh when a will is challenged.
Will timeline and notes
Warning signs noted:
- None checked
Links and details checked November 10, 2026.