One of the best gifts you can give your loved ones is getting your affairs in order so they aren’t left with a mess when you die. But you might wonder: What exactly should I be doing to prepare?
We came across an excellent list of documents that we slightly adapted and are sharing in hopes that it can be helpful to our End in Mind community.
We highly recommend gathering these items (or at least finding out where they are) so your loved ones can easily access them when the time comes:
Personal records
- Full legal name
- Social security number
- Legal residence
- Date and place of birth
- Names and addresses of spouse and children, and parents’ names (specifically, mother’s maiden name)
- Birth and death certificates and certificates of marriage, divorce, citizenship, and/or adoption (as applicable)
- Employers and dates of employment
- Education and military records
- Passport
- Durable power of attorney and medical power of attorney documents
- Memberships in groups and awards received
- Names and phone numbers of close friends, relatives, doctors, lawyers, and financial advisors
- Usernames and passwords (banks, investments, social media accounts, etc.)
Financial records
- Banks and account numbers
- Deed for home
- Business and owned real estate
- Car title and registration
- Credit and debit card names and numbers
- Income and assets (pension from employer, IRAs, 401(k)s, interest, etc.)
- Income tax returns (last seven years)
- Insurance information (life, health, long-term care, home, car) with policy numbers and insurer phone numbers
- Investment income (stocks, bonds, property) and stockbrokers’ contact information
- Medicare/Medicaid information
- Liabilities, including property tax — what is owed, to whom, and when payments are due
- Mortgages and debts — how and when they are paid
- Safe deposit box location and key
- Veterans’ benefits
- Original legal will (it is much harder to probate a copy)
Final wishes
- Funeral, burial, or cremation desires, with paperwork for each if they have been pre-planned
- Guardianship of children (if not adults)
- A living will (advance care directive)
- Plan for pets
- Religious leaders’ names and contact information
- Obituary desires/wording/notes
- Organ donor information
- Memorial service notes
