Ry,
Thank you for starting this thread. It has been nearly two years since Mike passed and I still have loose ends to wrap up. I did the things you initially have to do with Social Security, Life insurance etc. I did get my car put in my name only, was able to go online and get the forms and information to mail in and it was no problem. I however started dragging my feet after that and I still have most of my bills still in his name or ours. I've been afraid to change charge accounts because they might make me prove I have an income to pay them and at present I don't . As for checking account, I read somewhere that you should open an account in your name and gradually move the funds over , leaving some in that account until you are ready to close it. I'm still using our old account and still have our names on the checks. One thing you might want to think about is that any refund checks that may come in his name, you will still be able to deposit in that account by just writing for deposit only on the back, so don't close it.
There's another thing... I desperately need to work and I have no idea where. I've been living on insurance proceeds , but they will run out and I will be up the creek. I haven't worked , except for a bit of part time odd stuff, over all the years since we got married. I'm a lost soul... Anyone want to hire me? I would love a work at home job.
Look at me, this is your thread and I'm getting carried away, but I too have not had much success finding out the answers to all the practical stuff that I need to do. I have so much more to handle. I haven't handled this widowhood stuff well. My ability to focus seems to be zilch.
Sorry for all this venting, but have needed a place to do that.
Sue