End of Life Next Steps Guide

Table of Contents

Overview
First Things First
Accessing Paige as a Delegate or Shared Contact
What You May Find in Paige
The Weeks Ahead: Organizing Their Affairs
Quick Reference Checklist

Overview

When someone you love has planned ahead with Paige, they've already done a great deal of the work for you. Their documents, wishes, contacts, and messages are organized and waiting. This guide walks you through how to access what they've left, how to work with our team when information needs to be verified, and what to focus on in the days and weeks ahead.

First Things First

In the immediate aftermath of a loss, there are a few things that need to happen within the first day or two. Don't try to handle everything at once, focus only on what's truly time-sensitive.

Step 1 | Notify the immediate family

Make sure those closest to your loved one know what has happened. Decide as a family who will be the primary point of contact for other inquiries. Having one person fielding calls and questions reduces the burden on everyone.

Step 2 | Secure the home and property

If your loved one lived alone, ensure their home, vehicles, and valuables are secure. This is not about sorting through belongings, that comes later. It's simply about making sure nothing is left accessible or at risk in the immediate term.

Step 3 | Obtain the death certificate

You will need multiple certified copies of the death certificate — typically 8 to 12. The funeral home usually assists with this, or you can request them through your county vital records office. These are required for nearly every financial and legal step that follows, so obtaining them early saves significant time later.

Step 4 | Contact the funeral home

If your loved one documented their funeral and burial preferences — which they may have done in Paige — retrieve that information now. Even a general note about their wishes (burial vs. cremation, preferred location, religious or cultural preferences) helps the funeral home guide you.

Accessing Paige as a Delegate or Shared Contact

Your loved one may have shared things with you in two ways: items shared with you directly while they were alive, and items set to be released after their passing. Here's how to access both.

Step 1 | Log into your own Paige account

Navigate to app.go-paige.com and sign in to your account (not theirs). If you don't have an account, create one for free, it's where you'll receive shared information.

Step 2 | Navigate to "Shared With Me"

Navigate to the Documents, Passwords, Contacts, Messages, Memories Sections > Select the Shared With Me Tab. Any documents, passwords, or information your loved one shared with you directly will be visible here. This may include their will, key financial documents, contacts, and any personal messages they left for you.

Step 3 | Report the Passing to Unlock Additional Access

Follow our How to Report a Passing Guide, to do so. Then, come back to this document to continue.

What You May Find in Paige

Once you have access, take your time reviewing what your loved one put together. Paige may contain some or all of the following:

• Their will, including how they've directed their assets, named guardians for any minor children, and any funeral or burial preferences.
• Important documents, such as insurance policies, property deeds, financial account information, medical records, and identification documents.
• Passwords and digital account access, so you can manage or close online accounts, access email, and handle subscriptions.
• Key contacts, including their attorney, financial advisor, insurance agents, and other professionals you'll need to reach.
• Memories and personal messages, which they may have scheduled for delivery or left for specific people to find.
• Small business information, if they owned a business — entity details, key contacts, banking information, and succession notes.

The Weeks Ahead: Organizing Their Affairs

Once the immediate logistics are handled, the estate settlement process begins. This can feel overwhelming, but it helps to take it step by step. Here's a general order of operations to guide you.

Notify key people and institutions

Work through the contacts list in Paige and notify the people and organizations that need to know. This typically includes:

• The Social Security Administration (benefits will need to stop or transfer)
• Their employer or former employer's HR department (for final paycheck, benefits, or pension)
• Banks and financial institutions (to freeze or transfer accounts)
• Life insurance providers (to initiate claims, you'll need the death certificate)
• The U.S. Post Office (to forward their mail to a family member managing the estate)
• Subscription services, utilities, and any recurring billing

Connect with their attorney and financial advisor

If your loved one had an estate attorney or financial advisor, reach out early. They can guide the probate process, help transfer assets, and make sure everything is handled legally. If no attorney was involved, many estate attorneys offer an initial consultation to help you understand your options.

Locate and file the will

The will (which may be in Paige, with an attorney, or in a physical safe) needs to be filed with the probate court in the county where your loved one lived. This begins the formal estate settlement process. The executor named in the will is responsible for carrying out its instructions. If that's you, the attorney will walk you through the steps.

Handle digital accounts thoughtfully

With account access from Paige, you can begin closing or memorializing digital accounts. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have memorialization options. Email accounts can typically be closed after forwarding important contacts and messages. Financial and subscription accounts should be closed or transferred as directed by the will or estate attorney.

Don't rush the physical belongings

Sorting through a loved one's home and possessions is emotionally difficult and doesn't need to happen quickly. Most estate attorneys advise waiting until after probate is underway before distributing or donating belongings. This protects you legally and gives family members time to process.

Quick Reference Checklist

A condensed checklist for the first days and weeks:

Immediately

• Notify immediate family and designate one point of contact
• Secure the home and any vehicles
• Contact the funeral home; retrieve burial preferences from Paige if documented
• Order 8–12 certified copies of the death certificate

Within the first week

• Log into Paige and review everything under Shared With Me
• Submit Report a Passing in Paige (with death certificate, obituary, or burial permit) to unlock delegate access
• Locate the will (in Paige, with an attorney, or in a physical safe)
• Contact their attorney and financial advisor
• Notify Social Security Administration
• Notify employer or former employer's HR department
• Forward mail

In the coming weeks

• File the will with the probate court
• Initiate life insurance claims
• Notify and close or transfer financial accounts
• Begin closing or memorializing digital and social accounts
• Close or cancel subscriptions and utilities
• Keep a log of all actions taken for estate records
• Organize personal belongings one step at a time

Need help? Paige's team is here for you. Reach us at help@go-paige.com or through the live chat at app.go-paige.com.