The First 30 Days After a Parent Dies: A Practical Checklist
Not grief counseling. Not vague advice. Just the operational reality of what actually needs attention in the first month.
June 4, 2026 • 8 min read
Category
Loss of a Parent
Practical guidance after losing a parent: estate administration, financial accounts, property, paperwork, and the decisions that arrive alongside grief.
Whether you're helping aging parents get their affairs in order, figuring out what to do in the first days and weeks after a parent dies, or dealing with everything that comes next, start with the guide that matches where you are right now.
I'm Ashley Hendrix, and I started North & Common after my dad died and I found myself with no one to ask the tough questions. It wasn't how to handle grief. It was how to pay the mortgage, deal with accounts, and figure out what needed to happen next. What I needed was help with the practical side of losing a parent that no one really tells you about.
Experiencing Recent Loss
How Many Death Certificates Do You Actually Need?
How many death certificates do you actually need after a parent dies? I ordered three and never ran out. Here’s what required a certified copy, what accepted a photocopy, and why you may not need the 10–12 copies often recommended.
August 8, 2026 • 5 min read
How to Close a Deceased Parent's Bank Accounts
How to close a deceased parent's bank accounts - what nobody tells you about Medicare clawbacks, the difference between being a beneficiary and being on the account, and why the mortgage was the hardest part.
June 14, 2026 • 7 min read
Successor in Interest: What to Know About a Parent’s Mortgage After Death
A term most people have never heard of until they’re trying to deal with a mortgage on a house they just inherited.
June 4, 2026 • 6 min read
Helping Aging Parents
Moving Forward
How to Clean Out a Parent's House After Death Without Losing Your Mind
What actually helped, what wasted time, and what I wish I had known earlier about clearing a family home.
June 4, 2026 • 7 min read
What Is an Estate Tax Return, and Why Does It Cost So Much?
Estate tax returns are one of the most confusing parts of settling an estate. Learn what IRS Form 706 is, who actually needs to file one, why some families file even when no estate tax is due, and why preparation can cost thousands of dollars.
August 5, 2026 • 8 min read
Navigating the Loss of a Parent: The Practical Side Nobody Talks About
The emotional weight gets all the attention. The administrative burden is what actually takes you down.
June 4, 2026 • 7 min read
Parent’s House Cleanout Checklist: What You Need Before You Start
A practical checklist for cleaning out a parent’s house after they die, including what to find before anything leaves, how to set up your sorting system, and the supplies that make the process easier.
August 29, 2026 • 6 min read