Wife passed away in 2018, are any incurred expenses deductible such as probate lawyers fees, title transfers, copies of death certificates, cremation, etc ?

[m-cassidy]

Wife  passed away of cancer after 4 years of chemo and surgery, in 2018. In previous years I had enough medical to deduct, but she gave up her battle in April this year and there wasn't quite enough medical this year to itemize. She was place on Hospice, died at home, and didn't want a funeral, etc. I have had a number of out of pocket expenses regarding her death such as lawyers fees for probate, obituary, death certs, title transfer fees, etc.  Are any of these deductible?

[Rachel_W · Accepted solution]

First, I would like to express my condolences on the passing of your wife after her 4 year long battle with cancer.  

Unfortunately, your out of pocket expenses for lawyers fees, death certificates, obituary, title transfers, etc. are not tax deductible.  The IRS does not allow Individual taxpayers to deduct these expenses on their income tax return.