Notify Creditors
Creditors should be notified promptly following a death. This includes credit card companies, banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, mortgage companies and lenders, financial planners, and pension providers.
If there is to be a delay in meeting debts or installment payments, you may be able to file for extensions. Many creditors are sympathetic to these situations and are willing to grant your requests. If credit insurance or mortgage insurance policies were in force, purchases made on credit (vehicles, furniture, etc.) or the home mortgage may be paid off by the insurance. Ask your lending institution for guidance on these issues.
You may also want to notify the three national credit reporting agencies [Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion] and instruct them to list all accounts as "Closed. Account Holder is Deceased." You may also request a free credit report to obtain a list of all creditors and to review recent credit activities.