Dealing with Loss: Understanding Your Estate Planning Steps

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 Trust Us: Estate Planning Wisdom Episode 13 May 20, 2026 ★ Episode details: https://share.transistor.fm/s/c343deef ★ Additional episodes: https://www.offitkurman.com/trust-us-...