What to Cancel After a Death in NC: Accounts, Subscriptions, and Services Checklist
When someone you love dies, you eventually discover just how many accounts, memberships, and subscriptions were tied to their name. Credit cards, streaming services, gym memberships, insurance policies, cell phone plans, cloud storage, professional licenses – the list seems endless. Each one requires a phone call, a death certificate, and sometimes a fight with a customer service representative who wasn’t trained for this conversation. It is exhausting work during an already exhausting time.
Afterpath provides a personalized task management system that tracks every account you need to cancel, transfer, or keep active after a death in North Carolina. Our Pathfinder AI guide helps you prioritize what to handle first, and our NC Compliance Engine ensures you don’t accidentally cancel something the estate still needs. Instead of building your own spreadsheet at 2am, let Afterpath organize it for you.
Why the Order Matters
Not everything should be canceled at once. Some accounts need to stay active to protect estate assets. Others have time-sensitive refund windows. A few will automatically stop charging after the account holder’s death, but most will keep billing indefinitely until someone tells them to stop.
The order below follows a practical timeline: what to handle immediately, what to address in weeks two through four, and what can wait a month or more. We have tried to be clear about what is urgent and what is not.
One important note before you start: you will need certified copies of the death certificate for nearly every cancellation. Most families need between eight and fifteen copies. If you have not ordered enough, contact the funeral home or the county register of deeds. For a detailed breakdown of how many you need, see our guide on how many death certificates to order.
Immediate Cancellations: First 1-2 Weeks
These are accounts where charges will continue accumulating, where there is a refund window at risk, or where leaving the account active poses a security concern.
Credit Cards
Contact each credit card issuer to report the death and close the account. Do not pay off the balances from your own money. Credit card debt belongs to the estate, not to you personally. The credit card company will file a claim against the estate during the creditor notice period.
What you will need:
- Certified death certificate
- The account number (check recent statements or the card itself)
- Your name and relationship to the deceased
Ask about any remaining rewards points or cashback balances. Some issuers will transfer these to the estate or issue a statement credit. Others forfeit them at account closure.
If you are an authorized user on the card (not a joint account holder), you are generally not responsible for the balance. If you are a joint account holder, the full balance is your responsibility regardless of who made the charges.
Auto Insurance (If No Surviving Driver)
If the deceased was the sole driver and the vehicle will not be driven during estate settlement, cancel the auto insurance policy. You may be entitled to a prorated refund for the unused portion of the premium.
However, if someone else will be driving the vehicle or if it will remain parked at a property, keep the policy active or transfer it to the estate. An uninsured vehicle sitting in a driveway is a liability risk.
Prescription Medications and Mail-Order Pharmacies
Cancel any recurring prescriptions and mail-order pharmacy subscriptions. Return unused controlled substances to a DEA-authorized collection site or your local pharmacy’s drug take-back program. Do not flush medications or throw them in the trash.
Also cancel any prescription delivery services, medical supply subscriptions (CPAP supplies, diabetic supplies), and medical alert monitoring systems.
Meal and Grocery Delivery Services
Cancel meal kit deliveries, grocery delivery subscriptions, and any food-related services. These will keep delivering and charging until stopped.
Weeks 2-4: Utilities, Communication, and Recurring Services
Once the immediate cancellations are handled, turn your attention to the services that keep running month to month. Some of these need to be transferred rather than canceled.
Utilities: Electric, Gas, Water, Sewer, Trash
If someone is living in or maintaining the home: Transfer the accounts into the estate’s name or a surviving family member’s name. Call each utility provider with a death certificate and ask about the transfer process. Most NC utility companies will do this without a service interruption.
If the home will be vacant: You still need to keep certain utilities on. At minimum, keep the electricity running (for security systems, sump pumps, and to prevent pipe freezing in winter). Water should stay connected if you are winterizing the home. For a full breakdown of what to keep active, see our section below on what NOT to cancel yet.
This is one of those areas where Afterpath’s task management system earns its keep. Instead of trying to remember which utility you called and what they said, the system tracks each account, logs your progress, and reminds you to follow up when a transfer has not been completed.
Cell Phone
Contact the carrier to cancel the line. If the deceased was on a family plan, you may need to restructure the plan. Ask about early termination fees for devices still under a payment plan – many carriers waive these upon proof of death.
Before canceling, consider whether you need the phone number active temporarily. Some accounts use the phone number for two-factor authentication. If you need to access those accounts first, keep the line active until you have completed those logins.
Internet and Cable Television
Cancel or transfer internet and cable service. Return any rented equipment (modems, routers, cable boxes) to avoid equipment charges. Get a receipt when you return equipment.
If the home will be occupied during estate settlement, transfer the service rather than canceling and reopening under a new name.
Streaming Services
Go through the deceased’s accounts and cancel streaming subscriptions. Common ones include:
- Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video
- Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Premium, Pandora
- Audible, Kindle Unlimited
- Paramount+, Peacock, Discovery+
Check credit card and bank statements for charges you might not recognize. Many people accumulate streaming services over time and forget about some of them.
Gym and Fitness Memberships
Cancel gym memberships immediately. Many gyms require written cancellation even after a death. Some will attempt to continue billing. Send a cancellation request by certified mail with a copy of the death certificate. Keep the return receipt as proof.
Subscription Boxes and Recurring Deliveries
Cancel any subscription box services: clothing, snacks, vitamins, pet supplies, razor blades, beauty products. Check the deceased’s email for order confirmations and shipping notifications that might reveal subscriptions you did not know about.
Newspaper and Magazine Subscriptions
Cancel print and digital subscriptions. Many offer prorated refunds for the unused portion. Contact customer service for each publication.
Month 1-3: Digital Accounts, Memberships, and Professional Services
These accounts are less urgent financially but still need attention. Some have specific policies for deceased account holders that you should understand before acting.
Social Media Accounts
Each platform has its own process:
Facebook/Meta: You can request to memorialize the account (which preserves it as a memorial) or request permanent deletion. If the deceased designated a legacy contact, that person can manage the memorialized profile. Submit a request through Facebook’s Memorialization Request form with a death certificate.
Instagram: Similar to Facebook. You can request memorialization or removal through their online form.
X (Twitter): Submit a deactivation request through their support form. You will need a death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased.
LinkedIn: Submit a verification of death form to request account removal.
Do not rush this. Some families find comfort in memorialized accounts. Others prefer to remove them. There is no wrong answer, and there is no deadline.
Email Accounts
This requires careful thought. The deceased’s email likely contains financial statements, legal correspondence, and account information you may still need. Do not close email accounts until you are confident you have captured all important information.
Google allows a trusted contact to access a deceased person’s account through their Inactive Account Manager or through a legal process. Microsoft, Yahoo, and Apple each have their own procedures, all requiring a death certificate and proof of authority.
Afterpath’s Pathfinder AI guide can walk you through the specific process for each email provider based on your situation. Instead of researching each provider’s policy separately, ask Pathfinder and get a clear, step-by-step answer.
Cloud Storage
Check for files in Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive, and any other cloud storage services. Download anything important before closing accounts. Cloud storage may contain documents, photos, and records that matter to the estate or to the family.
Loyalty Programs and Rewards Accounts
Airline miles, hotel points, credit card rewards, and retail loyalty programs each have different policies on death:
- Airline miles: Most airlines allow transfer to a beneficiary or the estate, but policies vary. Some charge a transfer fee. Contact the airline’s loyalty program directly.
- Hotel points: Similar to airlines. Some hotel programs allow point transfers; others forfeit them at death.
- Retail loyalty programs: Most can simply be deactivated. Cash value on store credit or gift cards may be recoverable.
Professional Memberships and Licenses
If the deceased held professional licenses (real estate, medical, legal, CPA, contractor) or belonged to professional organizations, notify each one. Some memberships have death benefits or insurance payouts for the estate.
In North Carolina, professional licenses should be reported to the relevant licensing board. This prevents potential misuse of the license number.
Insurance Policies Beyond Auto
Review and address:
- Homeowners/renters insurance: Do NOT cancel. Transfer to the estate. See our section below.
- Life insurance: File claims with each insurer. Life insurance proceeds go to named beneficiaries, not through the estate.
- Long-term care insurance: Notify the insurer. There may be remaining benefits owed.
- Umbrella liability policies: Keep active during estate settlement if the estate has significant assets.
What NOT to Cancel Yet
This section is critical. Canceling certain services too early can create serious problems for the estate.
Homeowners insurance: Never cancel this until the property has been transferred or sold. An uninsured property is a massive liability for the executor. If the home will be vacant for more than 30 days, contact the insurer about switching to a vacant home policy. Standard homeowners policies often exclude coverage for homes left unoccupied. For a complete guide to managing the home during probate, see our article on managing a deceased person’s home during probate.
The estate’s bank account: Obviously, but worth stating: do not close any bank account that the estate is actively using for income or expense management.
Utilities on estate property: Keep essential utilities running on any property the estate owns, at least until the property is transferred or sold.
Health insurance for surviving dependents: If the deceased’s employer provided health insurance that covers a spouse or children, look into COBRA continuation. You typically have 60 days to elect COBRA coverage.
Any account needed for tax filing: Keep financial accounts accessible until the estate’s final tax return has been filed. You may need year-end statements from banks, investment companies, and other financial institutions.
Afterpath’s NC Compliance Engine flags these “do not cancel” items automatically when you set up your estate case. It knows which accounts need to stay active based on your specific situation, so you do not accidentally create a gap in insurance coverage or lose access to something the estate needs.
Documentation Tips for Every Cancellation
Keep a running log of every cancellation. For each one, record:
- The company name and account number
- The date you called or submitted the request
- The name of the representative you spoke with
- The confirmation or reference number
- Whether a refund is expected and the amount
- Whether they required a death certificate (original or copy)
This log protects you as executor. If a company later claims they never received a cancellation request, you have a written record. If a charge appears on a credit card statement months later, you can reference your notes when disputing it.
Afterpath’s Document Vault keeps all of this organized in one secure location. Upload cancellation confirmations, refund receipts, and correspondence as you go. When you need to reference something later, or when the court asks for an accounting of estate expenses, everything is in one place.
Dealing With Companies That Make It Difficult
Some companies will make cancellation harder than it should be. A few common problems and how to handle them:
“We need the account holder to call.” Explain that the account holder is deceased. Provide the death certificate. If the representative insists, ask for a supervisor or the company’s bereavement or deceased account department.
“We need the original death certificate mailed to us.” Never mail original certified copies unless absolutely necessary. Ask if they accept a scanned copy, a faxed copy, or an upload through a secure portal. If they insist on a mailed copy, send a certified copy (not the original) via certified mail with return receipt.
“There is an early termination fee.” Many companies waive early termination fees upon proof of death. Ask specifically about their bereavement or hardship policy. If they refuse, note it in your records and move on. The fee becomes a claim against the estate, not your personal debt.
“We already charged this month.” Request a prorated refund from the date of death or the date of your cancellation request. Most companies will issue one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find all the subscriptions and accounts my loved one had?
Start with their credit card and bank statements from the last three months. Every recurring charge represents a subscription or service. Also check their email for order confirmations, renewal notices, and payment receipts. Their phone may have apps installed that indicate active subscriptions. On iPhones, check Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. On Android, check the Google Play Store > Payments & Subscriptions.
Am I personally responsible for paying these accounts?
No. As the executor, you are responsible for notifying companies and managing the cancellation process, but the deceased’s debts belong to the estate, not to you. Do not let any company pressure you into paying from your own funds. For more on this topic, see our guide on whether you are responsible for a deceased person’s debt.
What if I accidentally cancel something the estate needs?
Most services can be reactivated. If you cancel a utility and then realize the estate needs it, call the provider and explain the situation. There may be a reconnection fee, but it is usually manageable. This is less of an issue if you work through a systematic checklist rather than canceling everything at once.
Can Afterpath help me track all these cancellations?
Yes. Afterpath’s task management system generates a personalized cancellation checklist based on the specific accounts and services tied to the estate. It tracks which accounts you have addressed, which are pending, and which need follow-up. Pathfinder can also answer questions about specific companies’ cancellation policies and what documentation they typically require. Instead of building your own spreadsheet and hoping you do not miss anything, Afterpath keeps everything organized and on track.
Should I cancel accounts myself or hire someone?
For most accounts, you can handle cancellations yourself. The process is straightforward, just time-consuming. If the deceased had a complex financial life with dozens of accounts across multiple institutions, or if you are also managing a complicated probate process, having support makes a real difference. Afterpath helps you manage the full picture for $199, compared to the $10,000 to $12,000 many families pay a full-service probate attorney to handle everything.
Moving Forward
Canceling accounts after a death is not emotionally complicated, but it is logistically draining. It is the kind of work that takes hours spread over weeks, and it comes at a time when you have very little energy to spare.
Give yourself grace. You do not need to handle everything in a single weekend. Work through the most time-sensitive items first, then address the rest as you have capacity. The checklist above is designed to help you prioritize so nothing important slips through the cracks.
Dealing with estate settlement while grieving is one of life’s hardest challenges. You do not have to figure it out alone.
Afterpath was built for exactly this moment – to turn the overwhelming chaos of estate settlement into a clear path forward. Our AI guide Pathfinder is available 24/7 to answer your questions, our task system ensures nothing falls through the cracks, and our NC compliance engine makes sure you do everything right.
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