When Someone You Love Passes Away Unexpectedly, Knowing What To Do Next Matters.
PathwaysPlus helps families organize the critical next steps after loss — from paperwork and accounts to benefits and practical guidance.
The Next Steps Checklist
A gentle, organized roadmap to closing affairs after death. Take it one step at a time.
Request 10 to 15 certified copies from the funeral home or county clerk. You will need original copies for life insurance, bank accounts, pensions, and property transfers.
Typically, the funeral director notifies the SSA. However, you should follow up by calling 1-800-772-1213 to ensure benefits are stopped and inquire about survivor benefits.
Locate policies for life, health, auto, and home insurance. File claims where applicable, and cancel health and auto coverage for the deceased to stop premium payments.
Locate the will if one exists. Consult with a probate attorney in Macomb County or your local jurisdiction to determine if the estate needs to pass through the probate court.
Transfer utilities to a survivor's name or turn them off. Memorialize or delete social media accounts, and close out subscription services (Netflix, Amazon, etc.) to prevent ongoing charges.
"Created from lived experience, guided by compassion."
— Julie Turner, Founder
Rooted in Empathy.
When founder Julie Turner experienced an unexpected loss, she was met with a labyrinth of automated phone trees, confusing legal jargon, and paralyzing paperwork.
Combining years of institutional knowledge in community education with her deeply personal journey of grief, Julie created PathwaysPlus. Our mission is to alleviate the administrative burden on grieving widows and families in Metro Detroit.
We believe that during your hardest moments, you shouldn't have to figure it out alone.
Read Our Full StoryHelpful Guides & Resources
Printable Checklists
Downloadable step-by-step PDFs for organizing accounts and notifying agencies.
DownloadCounty Resources
Direct links to Macomb and Oakland County clerks, courts, and vital records.
View DirectoryGrief Support
Local Metro Detroit support groups, counseling services, and emotional care.
Find SupportProbate Basics
A plain-language introduction to the Michigan probate process and what to expect.
Learn MoreServing Metro Detroit Families
Navigating local regulations is easier when your guide knows the terrain.
PathwaysPlus specializes in assisting families specifically within Macomb County, Oakland County, and the greater Metro Detroit area. Whether you need to locate the Macomb County Probate Court, find local widow help in Michigan, or understand state-specific laws regarding intestate succession, our local focus ensures accuracy and relevance.
- Macomb County Probate Assistance
- Metro Detroit Grief Resources
- Michigan-Specific Document Checklists
Frequently Asked Questions
First, obtain a legal pronouncement of death. If they passed at home, call 911. If in a facility or under hospice care, staff will handle this. Next, notify immediate family, decide on a funeral home, and arrange for transportation of your loved one.
After the funeral, you should notify the Social Security Administration, banks, credit card companies, life insurance providers, utility companies, and the deceased's employer or pension administrator.
Credit cards, cellular plans, internet/cable services, streaming subscriptions, driver's licenses, voter registrations, and any email or social media accounts should be either closed or memorialized.
Dying without a will is called dying "intestate." In Michigan, the probate court will distribute assets according to state intestacy laws, usually prioritizing the surviving spouse and children.
Privacy-First & Community Oriented Nonprofit Partnership
You Are Not Alone
When Someone You Love Passes Away Unexpectedly, Knowing What To Do Next Matters.
PathwaysPlus helps families organize the critical next steps after loss — from paperwork and accounts to benefits and practical guidance.
The Next Steps Checklist
A gentle, organized roadmap to closing affairs after death. Take it one step at a time.
Request 10 to 15 certified copies from the funeral home or county clerk. You will need original copies for life insurance, bank accounts, pensions, and property transfers.
Typically, the funeral director notifies the SSA. However, you should follow up by calling 1-800-772-1213 to ensure benefits are stopped and inquire about survivor benefits.
Locate policies for life, health, auto, and home insurance. File claims where applicable, and cancel health and auto coverage for the deceased to stop premium payments.
Locate the will if one exists. Consult with a probate attorney in Macomb County or your local jurisdiction to determine if the estate needs to pass through the probate court.
Transfer utilities to a survivor's name or turn them off. Memorialize or delete social media accounts, and close out subscription services (Netflix, Amazon, etc.) to prevent ongoing charges.
"Created from lived experience, guided by compassion."
— Julie Turner, Founder
Rooted in Empathy.
When founder Julie Turner experienced an unexpected loss, she was met with a labyrinth of automated phone trees, confusing legal jargon, and paralyzing paperwork.
Combining years of institutional knowledge in community education with her deeply personal journey of grief, Julie created PathwaysPlus. Our mission is to alleviate the administrative burden on grieving widows and families in Metro Detroit.
We believe that during your hardest moments, you shouldn't have to figure it out alone.
Read Our Full StoryHelpful Guides & Resources
Printable Checklists
Downloadable step-by-step PDFs for organizing accounts and notifying agencies.
DownloadCounty Resources
Direct links to Macomb and Oakland County clerks, courts, and vital records.
View DirectoryGrief Support
Local Metro Detroit support groups, counseling services, and emotional care.
Find SupportProbate Basics
A plain-language introduction to the Michigan probate process and what to expect.
Learn MoreServing Metro Detroit Families
Navigating local regulations is easier when your guide knows the terrain.
PathwaysPlus specializes in assisting families specifically within Macomb County, Oakland County, and the greater Metro Detroit area. Whether you need to locate the Macomb County Probate Court, find local widow help in Michigan, or understand state-specific laws regarding intestate succession, our local focus ensures accuracy and relevance.
- Macomb County Probate Assistance
- Metro Detroit Grief Resources
- Michigan-Specific Document Checklists
Frequently Asked Questions
First, obtain a legal pronouncement of death. If they passed at home, call 911. If in a facility or under hospice care, staff will handle this. Next, notify immediate family, decide on a funeral home, and arrange for transportation of your loved one.
After the funeral, you should notify the Social Security Administration, banks, credit card companies, life insurance providers, utility companies, and the deceased's employer or pension administrator.
Credit cards, cellular plans, internet/cable services, streaming subscriptions, driver's licenses, voter registrations, and any email or social media accounts should be either closed or memorialized.
Dying without a will is called dying "intestate." In Michigan, the probate court will distribute assets according to state intestacy laws, usually prioritizing the surviving spouse and children.
Privacy-First & Community Oriented Nonprofit Partnership