Sudden death... now what?

Thank you all so much, this is all really helpful! I had been helping my step-mom over the past few years with home and assisted care as she became less able to live independently. So at least I know about 95% of her finances. I did find her will, and it lists my birth mom as the primary beneficiary, me as secondary.

My step-mom’s will explicitly states that it gives permission for “unsupervised probate of my estate” and the power to sell her property “without confirmation by any court.”

I assume that this means that I (acting as representative of beneficiary) can act without a lawyer? Does the bank need a copy of the will as well as the death certificate? (Yes I will call them.) I am on her AZ bank account but not her older MI credit union. Will the bank freeze her account when I call? I am concerned that all of her bills (phone, utilities, etc) are on auto-pay and that everything will get cut off.

The funeral home will contact Social Security concerning her death so her checks will stop. SS works like a paycheck, you are paid after the effect. So if she died in April, the check she received in April is really payment for March. So she is entitled to that. She will not be entitled to the one she receives in May because that is Aprils payment and she died in April.

No matter how things get handled, remember that you are not responsible for any money owed, her estate is. If no money then creditors don't get paid.

Does she have a Will? If so then the Executor should handle things. If no Will or Executor, I think you will may be allowed to handle her funeral. Is there an insurance policy? Does she have enough in her accounts, were you on these accts? Probate can't be started till something like 10 days. If no Will then you may be able to become the Administrator of her estate. You will get a short certificate allowing you to handle her finances, creditors, etc.

See a Trust and Estate Lawyer who deals with end of life; not all do.
I would like to recommend the short simple book called "Please Don't Die! But if You Do, What Do I Do Next by Kurt J. Grube and Keith S. Grube, ESQ. with John Nevola. On Amazon.
The POA does indeed end with Death. There either is a will or not, and it either appoints you as Executor or not. If there is no will in the home then you will need to have the Trust and Estate Attorney help you to be appointed by the court to act as the Executor if there is no one else to take this on.
Wishing you good luck and so sorry for this loss.

I am so sorry for your loss.

May God grant you grieving mercies and strength during this difficult time.

Does she have any blood family? They will be considered legal next of kin. If not you can sign an affidavit that you are taking responsibility for her estate and depending on what she had, you won't even have to file probate.

Go to the State of Arizona attorney general website, it has great resources to help you navigate this difficult time. You can find the affidavit or ask the crematorium or funeral home, they have these resources available because they have to protect themselves from family drama.

First I am sorry for your loss. Do you have your step moms final wishes, as far as did she want to be buried or cremated? The funeral home will contact social security, but you need to call them as well, to let them know she died. Write her obituary, contact family and friends, If she had a will, contact the lawyer, and open probate. Contact any retirement funds she may have had, as they will have on record any beneficiaries of said funds. Also contact her bank, and anywhere else she may have had her monies.
There's a lot to do at first, but please make sure that you're taking time to grieve her as well.