What legal steps follow a death?
Beyond the funeral itself, a death triggers a number of administrative and legal formalities. They do not all have to be resolved on the same day, but knowing their order helps ensure nothing is left undone.
In brief: first the death certificate, then probate at the notary, then any remaining entitlements (survivor's pension, funeral grant), and finally updating contracts and accounts. We take each in turn below. For the very first days, see also what to do when someone dies.
The death certificate — the first official step
Nothing can move forward without the death certificate. It is obtained from the Starea Civilă (Civil Registry) on the basis of the medical death certificate, and the death must be declared within 3 calendar days.
It is the key document for everything that follows — probate, pensions, banking, the notary. We can obtain it on your behalf with a simple power of attorney. Full details are in our guide on obtaining the death certificate.
Probate (settling the estate)
Probate establishes who the heirs are and how assets are divided. It is handled by a notar (notary), who issues the certificatul de moștenitor (certificate of inheritance) — the document that allows heirs to use and transfer the assets.
You are not required to act immediately, but a long delay can complicate matters, especially if there is real estate or bank accounts involved. For this, you will need to visit a notar. The exact timescales and costs depend on the specifics of the estate and will be explained by the notary.
| Legal step | Who handles it |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | Starea Civilă / Civil Registry (we can handle this for you) |
| Probate / certificate of inheritance | Notar (notary) |
| Disputes between heirs | Avocat (lawyer), then the court |
| Survivor's pension | Casa de pensii / CNPP (National House of Public Pensions) |
| Funeral grant | CNPP or the employer |
Survivor's pension and other entitlements
A surviving spouse and dependent children may be entitled to a survivor's pension. The application is submitted to the Casa de pensii (pension authority), and the conditions and amount are determined by CNPP depending on the individual situation.
Separately, there is the funeral grant — a sum paid at the time of death. We explain how to obtain it and can handle the required paperwork.
Contracts, utilities, and bank accounts
After probate, several practical loose ends remain. They are not urgent, but it is easy to forget them:
- Utility contracts (electricity, gas, water) — transferred or closed
- Bank accounts and any outstanding loans — notified to the bank
- Subscriptions and recurring services — cancelled
- Insurance policies — checked for any remaining entitlements
How we help
We handle funeral paperwork and the documents we can obtain on your behalf with a power of attorney — the death certificate and the paperwork for the funeral grant. For probate and more complex legal matters, we refer you to a notary and a lawyer.
We do not give legal advice and we do not act as lawyers. Our role is to show you the steps in the right order and tell you who to ask, so you do not waste time or get lost between government offices.
