Homeowner Resource
When a Loved One Passes
A Practical Property & Household Guide
Over the years, I’ve worked with homeowners and families who were handling a recent death and suddenly found themselves responsible for property, utilities, paperwork, accounts, and decisions they had never handled before. More than once, someone has asked me during an appraisal, ‘What do I do next?’ Seeing how overwhelming that can be is what led me to create this resource as a practical starting point.
You do not have to handle everything at once. Start with the section that feels most relevant right now.
Immediate household, document, mail, and essential-service priorities.
Social Security, DMV, utilities, insurance, mortgage, banks, and HOA.
Assessor, taxes, parcel records, estate information, and date-of-death appraisal.
Legal referral, senior services, grief support, and community resources.
Secure the Home
Make sure doors and windows are secure, alarms are working, pets are cared for, and the property is monitored if vacant.
Order Certified Death Certificates
Multiple certified copies may be needed by banks, insurers, agencies, and other institutions.
Locate Important Documents
Find the will, trust, estate-planning documents, insurance policies, deeds, account statements, and key contact information.
Keep Essential Services Active
Do not immediately shut off electricity, gas, water, internet, security, landscaping, or other essential household services.
Protect the Mail
Make sure important mail is not lost and determine who has authority to manage or redirect it.
Survivor Benefits
Social Security
California DMV
Review reporting, registration, title transfer, and related vehicle matters.
California DMV — Handling a Deceased Person’s DMV Matters (opens in a new tab)
Brentwood Utilities
Confirm whose name is on the account and how the responsible party should be updated.
Mortgage / HELOC
Identify the servicer and determine who has authority to communicate with the lender.
Homeowner’s Insurance
Keep coverage active and notify the carrier if ownership, occupancy, or vacancy changes.
Banks / Life Insurance / Retirement
Contact each institution using its deceased-account or beneficiary process.
HOA / Property Management
Locate the management company, dues, assessments, and account information if applicable.
Contra Costa County Assessor
Change in Ownership — Death of Real Property Owner
Change in Ownership Statement — Death of Real Property Owner (opens in a new tab)
Maps & Property Information
Contra Costa County Maps & Property Information (opens in a new tab)
Property Taxes
IRS — Deceased Person Tax Information
IRS Publication 559
Date-of-Death Appraisal
A retrospective appraisal can document a property’s fair market value as of the date of death for estate administration, stepped-up cost basis documentation, and other appropriate purposes. A CPA or attorney determines the applicable tax treatment, filing requirements, and valuation date.
California State Bar
Find a certified lawyer referral service.
California State Bar — Find a Lawyer Referral Service (opens in a new tab)
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services
Contra Costa Crisis Center — Grief Resources
Contra Costa Crisis Center — Grief Resources (opens in a new tab)
Hospice East Bay — Grief Support
211 Contra Costa
Contra Costa Senior Services
California Unclaimed Property
Official Resources
Government and community websites. Each link opens the official source in a new tab.
- Social SecuritySurvivor benefits (opens in a new tab)
- California DMVDeceased person’s DMV matters (opens in a new tab)
- USPSMail for a deceased person (opens in a new tab)
- IRSDeceased person tax information (opens in a new tab)
- Contra Costa AssessorProperty assessment information (opens in a new tab)
- California State BarLawyer referral services (opens in a new tab)
- California Unclaimed PropertySearch for unclaimed property (opens in a new tab)
- 211 Contra CostaLocal community resources (opens in a new tab)
Need an appraisal?
Date-of-death and other residential appraisal services are available.
This resource is for general informational and organizational purposes only. Timeframes are planning guides, not legal deadlines. Estate, tax, probate, benefit, and ownership requirements vary.
Hudson Valuation Group is not affiliated with or responsible for the third-party organizations listed. External links are provided for informational convenience and do not constitute legal, tax, financial, medical, counseling, or professional-service recommendations.