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A free resource from Harbored

The paperwork nobody
warns you about.

A complete, plain-language guide to the first 30 days after losing your husband — with phone scripts, document checklists, and a clear order of what comes first.

Download the Free ChecklistNo cost. No pressure. Just the map we wish someone had handed us.

"You do not have to do all of this at once. You do not have to do any of it perfectly. You just have to do the next right thing."

30 tasks. 4 weeks. One thing at a time.

Every task includes who to call, what to say, which documents to have ready, and what to do if it gets complicated.

Week 1 — Days 1–7

Immediate triage

Death certificates, access to cash, Social Security, life insurance, Medicare. Five tasks. None optional.

Week 2 — Days 8–14

Benefits & accounts

Employer benefits, bank account retitling, the 60-day COBRA window, estate attorney, digital accounts.

Week 3 — Days 15–21

Financial inventory

The complete picture of assets and debts, investment accounts, survivor benefit application, automatic payments, your CPA.

Week 4 — Days 22–28

Forward planning

Beneficiary updates, real property, understanding your investments, your own estate plan, credit in your name.

Written for the kitchen table, not the attorney's office.

  • Phone scripts for every institution — exactly what to say when you call
  • Document checklists so you know what to have in hand before you dial
  • A clear sequence — what's urgent, what can wait, and why
  • "If it gets complicated" guidance for when institutions push back
  • Coverage of Social Security survivor benefits, COBRA, VA benefits, estate attorney, CPA, and more
  • A 30-day review milestone — to see how far you've come

The paperwork will get done.
One envelope at a time.

Enter your email below and we'll send you the complete First 30 Days checklist — free, with no obligation, and nothing to sell you.

Download the Free Checklist