Life Planning

While you are healthy, you should discuss planning for death among immediate family members and your loved ones. While making such decisions is difficult at any time, planning in advance can relieve you as well as family members of that responsibility at the time of terminal illness or death, when everyone may be emotionally vulnerable. Take time now to discuss these matters and tell your family members what you want. Planning for your own disposition after death can spare your loved ones the anguish of making difficult decisions while in a state of grief.

Your family members should be aware where these original documents (and copies) are kept. Where appropriate you need to authorize family members to act on your behalf when needed. These are all arrangements one should make while living. By no means is this list complete – use this as a guide.

Also keep in mind, human remains can be buried, entombed, cremated, or donated. Decide your wish and let your family know and update your will accordingly.

Legal Documents

  • Will
  • Trust Documents
  • Medical Power of Attorney — This document gives the person you name as your agent the authority to make any and all health care decisions for you in accordance with your wishes, including your religious and moral beliefs. This is used only when you are no longer capable of making them yourself. You can include exceptions if needed.
  • Statutory Durable Power of Attorney — This document designates an agent who is empowered to take certain actions regarding your property. It does not authorize them to make any medical decisions for you.
  • Advance Medical Directive / Living Will — This document is designed to help you communicate your wishes about medical treatment at some time in the future when you are unable to make your wishes known because of illness or injury.
  • Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Form — This form instructs emergency medical personnel and other health care professionals to forgo resuscitation attempts and to permit the patient to have a natural death with peace and dignity. This order does NOT affect the provision of other emergency care including comfort care.

You can also prepare most of these documents using a software package like Nolo Quicken WillMaker.

You should ensure family members know location of the following documents:

  • Birth Certificate
  • Passport
  • Driver’s License
  • Social Security Card and any benefits information
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Citizenship papers or residency papers
  • Deeds & Titles to Real Property
  • Titles and Registrations of Motor Vehicles
  • Tax records
  • Rental Lease Agreements

Also share following information:

  • List of logins and passwords for online Email and Social Media accounts (Facebook, etc.)
  • Security pin for mobile phone
  • Safety Deposit box access instructions and list of documents and assets in safety deposit box
  • List of assets and how to be distributed (for those not listed in the Will)

Insurance Policies:

Account details and Login information for Financial accounts. Make sure you have designated beneficiaries where needed:

  • Bank Account and Certificates of Deposits (CD’s)
  • Brokerage Accounts
  • Loans – home, auto or personal
  • Active or Pending Pensions
  • Annuities
  • Retirement accounts – 401K or IRA accounts
  • Credit Card Accounts

Contact Details for following:

  • Employer Contact details
  • Family Doctor
  • Attorney
  • Tax Accountant / CPA
  • Landlord

Account details and login information for various Services and Utilities that may need to be cancelled or modified:

  • Electric
  • Gas
  • Water
  • Cable, Streaming services
  • Internet
  • Phone
  • Pest Control
  • Lawn Services etc.

Click here to download this checklist.