Everything I Want You to Know
A place to put everything in order -- your wishes, your story, your accounts, your words -- so the people you love have everything they need. Let's start with a few questions about you so we can tailor the experience.
About You
Your Situation
Check everything that applies. This helps us highlight the sections most relevant to you.
Letter to Loved Ones
What This Section Covers
Write personal letters to the people who matter most -- your spouse, children, friends, or everyone at once.
Why It Matters
Of everything in this planner, this is what your loved ones will treasure most. The legal and financial details matter, but these words are irreplaceable.
What to Have Handy
- No documents needed -- just your thoughts
- Think about who you want to write to
- There is no right length or tone
Pretend you are sitting across the table from them, coffee in hand. What would you want to say? Start there.
Section Guide — Letter to Loved Ones
What This Section Covers
Write personal letters to the people who matter most -- your spouse, children, friends, or everyone at once.
Why It Matters
Of everything in this planner, this is what your loved ones will treasure most. The legal and financial details matter, but these words are irreplaceable.
What to Have Handy
- No documents needed -- just your thoughts
- Think about who you want to write to
- There is no right length or tone
1. Letter to Loved Ones
Personal letters to the people who matter most. Write one for everyone, or separate letters for each person. There is no wrong way to do this -- speak from the heart.
Instructions
What This Section Covers
A master checklist of what your loved ones should do -- organized by timeframe: immediately, first week, first month, and beyond.
Why It Matters
In the days after a death, people are overwhelmed and grieving. A clear set of instructions turns chaos into manageable steps.
What to Have Handy
- Think about who should handle what
- Consider immediate needs: children, pets, employer notification
- You do not need all the answers yet -- other sections fill in the details
Start with the most urgent items first. Who needs to be called? What needs to happen in the first 48 hours?
Section Guide — Instructions
What This Section Covers
A master checklist of what your loved ones should do -- organized by timeframe: immediately, first week, first month, and beyond.
Why It Matters
In the days after a death, people are overwhelmed and grieving. A clear set of instructions turns chaos into manageable steps.
What to Have Handy
- Think about who should handle what
- Consider immediate needs: children, pets, employer notification
- You do not need all the answers yet -- other sections fill in the details
2. Instructions
Master checklist organized by time period after your passing or incapacitation.
Biographical Information
What This Section Covers
Legal names, dates and places of birth, Social Security numbers, and family history for you, your parents, spouse(s), children, and siblings.
Why It Matters
Death certificates, obituaries, insurance claims, and legal proceedings all require this information. Having it gathered saves your family hours of stressful searching.
What to Have Handy
- Birth certificates and Social Security cards
- Marriage and divorce certificates
- Military discharge papers (DD-214) if applicable
- Adoption or citizenship documents if applicable
You do not need to complete every person's details in one sitting. Start with yourself and fill in family members as you go.
Section Guide — Biographical Information
What This Section Covers
Legal names, dates and places of birth, Social Security numbers, and family history for you, your parents, spouse(s), children, and siblings.
Why It Matters
Death certificates, obituaries, insurance claims, and legal proceedings all require this information. Having it gathered saves your family hours of stressful searching.
What to Have Handy
- Birth certificates and Social Security cards
- Marriage and divorce certificates
- Military discharge papers (DD-214) if applicable
- Adoption or citizenship documents if applicable
3. Biographical Information
Detailed biographical data for you and your family members. Click each heading to expand.
Children
What This Section Covers
Details about your children's care -- guardianship wishes, special needs, schools, activities, medical providers, and financial arrangements.
Why It Matters
If something happens to you, the people stepping in need to know everything: who their pediatrician is, what allergies they have, who picks them up from school, and most importantly, who you want raising them.
What to Have Handy
- Think about who you would want as guardian
- Children's medical providers, medications, allergies
- Schools, activities, and daily routines
- Any custody or co-parenting arrangements
Even if your children are adults, this section helps document important contact information and family relationships.
Section Guide — Children
What This Section Covers
Details about your children's care -- guardianship wishes, special needs, schools, activities, medical providers, and financial arrangements.
Why It Matters
If something happens to you, the people stepping in need to know everything: who their pediatrician is, what allergies they have, who picks them up from school, and most importantly, who you want raising them.
What to Have Handy
- Think about who you would want as guardian
- Children's medical providers, medications, allergies
- Schools, activities, and daily routines
- Any custody or co-parenting arrangements
4. Children
Guardians, property managers, and care information for your children.
Others Who Depend on Me
What This Section Covers
Information about anyone who depends on your care -- elderly parents, disabled relatives, friends, or others you support financially or physically.
Why It Matters
If you are the primary caregiver or financial support for someone, that care needs to continue. This section ensures the people who step in know about your responsibilities.
What to Have Handy
- Names and contact info for anyone who depends on you
- Their care providers and medical needs
- Financial arrangements or support you provide
- Backup caregivers or support people
Include anyone who would be affected if you were suddenly unavailable -- even people you help informally.
Section Guide — Others Who Depend on Me
What This Section Covers
Information about anyone who depends on your care -- elderly parents, disabled relatives, friends, or others you support financially or physically.
Why It Matters
If you are the primary caregiver or financial support for someone, that care needs to continue. This section ensures the people who step in know about your responsibilities.
What to Have Handy
- Names and contact info for anyone who depends on you
- Their care providers and medical needs
- Financial arrangements or support you provide
- Backup caregivers or support people
5. Others Who Depend on Me
People other than children who depend on you for care or support.
Pets and Livestock
What This Section Covers
Care instructions, veterinary info, dietary needs, medications, and your wishes for who should take care of your animals.
Why It Matters
Pets are family. This section ensures they are cared for by someone who knows their needs, their quirks, and their favorite spot on the couch -- not surrendered to a shelter in the confusion.
What to Have Handy
- Veterinarian contact information
- Each animal's medications, dietary needs, and routines
- Who you would want to care for each animal
- Registration, microchip, or licensing info
Include personality notes and behavioral quirks. The person taking over will appreciate knowing that your dog is afraid of thunderstorms or your cat only drinks running water.
Section Guide — Pets and Livestock
What This Section Covers
Care instructions, veterinary info, dietary needs, medications, and your wishes for who should take care of your animals.
Why It Matters
Pets are family. This section ensures they are cared for by someone who knows their needs, their quirks, and their favorite spot on the couch -- not surrendered to a shelter in the confusion.
What to Have Handy
- Veterinarian contact information
- Each animal's medications, dietary needs, and routines
- Who you would want to care for each animal
- Registration, microchip, or licensing info
6. Pets and Livestock
Care and placement information for your animals.
Employment
What This Section Covers
Current and past employers, HR contacts, benefits information, and any workplace arrangements your family should know about.
Why It Matters
Your employer may owe your family final paychecks, unused vacation pay, life insurance, or retirement plan assets. They need to know who to contact and what to ask for.
What to Have Handy
- Current employer's HR contact information
- Benefits documentation (health, life, disability insurance through work)
- Retirement plan details (401k, pension)
- Any employment contracts or non-compete agreements
Even if you are retired, document your last employer -- they may still have pension or retiree benefits on file.
Section Guide — Employment
What This Section Covers
Current and past employers, HR contacts, benefits information, and any workplace arrangements your family should know about.
Why It Matters
Your employer may owe your family final paychecks, unused vacation pay, life insurance, or retirement plan assets. They need to know who to contact and what to ask for.
What to Have Handy
- Current employer's HR contact information
- Benefits documentation (health, life, disability insurance through work)
- Retirement plan details (401k, pension)
- Any employment contracts or non-compete agreements
7. Employment
Current and previous employment information.
Business Interests
What This Section Covers
Details about any businesses you own or co-own -- partners, key employees, assets, liabilities, and succession plans.
Why It Matters
A business cannot run itself. Without clear documentation, a thriving business can collapse in weeks. This protects your partners, employees, and your family's financial interest.
What to Have Handy
- Partnership or operating agreements
- Key employee and co-owner contact info
- Business financial statements and tax records
- Succession plan or buy-sell agreements
If you are the sole operator, this section is even more critical. Who would step in to manage or wind down the business?
Section Guide — Business Interests
What This Section Covers
Details about any businesses you own or co-own -- partners, key employees, assets, liabilities, and succession plans.
Why It Matters
A business cannot run itself. Without clear documentation, a thriving business can collapse in weeks. This protects your partners, employees, and your family's financial interest.
What to Have Handy
- Partnership or operating agreements
- Key employee and co-owner contact info
- Business financial statements and tax records
- Succession plan or buy-sell agreements
8. Business Interests
Current and prior business interests, ownership, and related details.
Memberships
What This Section Covers
A list of every organization you belong to -- professional associations, unions, fraternal orders, religious organizations, alumni groups, clubs, and online communities.
Why It Matters
Some memberships carry benefits your family might not know about: group life insurance, death benefits, survivor assistance, or memorial funds. Others just need to be cancelled.
What to Have Handy
- Membership cards or account numbers
- Organizations you pay dues to
- Any leadership roles or committee positions
- Online communities or subscriptions
Do not forget unions, alumni associations, warehouse clubs, and professional licensing boards. They add up.
Section Guide — Memberships
What This Section Covers
A list of every organization you belong to -- professional associations, unions, fraternal orders, religious organizations, alumni groups, clubs, and online communities.
Why It Matters
Some memberships carry benefits your family might not know about: group life insurance, death benefits, survivor assistance, or memorial funds. Others just need to be cancelled.
What to Have Handy
- Membership cards or account numbers
- Organizations you pay dues to
- Any leadership roles or committee positions
- Online communities or subscriptions
9. Memberships
Organizations, clubs, and memberships.
Service Providers
What This Section Covers
Contact information for your regular service providers -- doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, therapists, contractors, and anyone else your family might need to reach.
Why It Matters
Your family will need to contact these people quickly. A ready-made list saves them from digging through files, emails, and voicemails during the worst week of their lives.
What to Have Handy
- Primary care doctor, specialists, dentist, therapist
- Attorney, accountant, financial advisor
- Insurance agents
- Home maintenance: plumber, electrician, HVAC, lawn care
Include anyone you call regularly. If your furnace breaks at 2 AM, your family should not have to start Googling.
Section Guide — Service Providers
What This Section Covers
Contact information for your regular service providers -- doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, therapists, contractors, and anyone else your family might need to reach.
Why It Matters
Your family will need to contact these people quickly. A ready-made list saves them from digging through files, emails, and voicemails during the worst week of their lives.
What to Have Handy
- Primary care doctor, specialists, dentist, therapist
- Attorney, accountant, financial advisor
- Insurance agents
- Home maintenance: plumber, electrician, HVAC, lawn care
10. Service Providers
Health care providers, financial advisors, attorneys, and other professionals your family may need to contact.
Health Care Directives
What This Section Covers
Your advance health care directive (living will) -- what medical treatments you want or do not want if you cannot communicate, and who you have authorized to make medical decisions for you.
Why It Matters
Without clear directives, your family may face agonizing decisions with no guidance. This gives them clarity and the peace of mind that they are honoring your wishes.
What to Have Handy
- Your health care agent's name and contact info
- Your wishes for life support, resuscitation, and pain management
- Where your advance directive documents are stored
- Any religious or personal beliefs that affect medical decisions
If you do not have a health care directive yet, this section will help you think through the key decisions. Talk to your doctor or an attorney to make it official.
Section Guide — Health Care Directives
What This Section Covers
Your advance health care directive (living will) -- what medical treatments you want or do not want if you cannot communicate, and who you have authorized to make medical decisions for you.
Why It Matters
Without clear directives, your family may face agonizing decisions with no guidance. This gives them clarity and the peace of mind that they are honoring your wishes.
What to Have Handy
- Your health care agent's name and contact info
- Your wishes for life support, resuscitation, and pain management
- Where your advance directive documents are stored
- Any religious or personal beliefs that affect medical decisions
11. Health Care Directives
Health care agents and directive documents.
Durable Power of Attorney
What This Section Covers
Who you have authorized to make financial and legal decisions if you are unable to -- and where those documents are stored.
Why It Matters
Without a power of attorney, your family may need expensive, time-consuming court proceedings just to pay your bills or manage your property if you are incapacitated.
What to Have Handy
- Your designated agent's name and contact info
- Location of your power of attorney documents
- Any alternate agents you have named
- Scope of authority granted (financial, property, etc.)
A power of attorney becomes critical if you are incapacitated but still alive. It is different from a will, which only takes effect after death.
Section Guide — Durable Power of Attorney
What This Section Covers
Who you have authorized to make financial and legal decisions if you are unable to -- and where those documents are stored.
Why It Matters
Without a power of attorney, your family may need expensive, time-consuming court proceedings just to pay your bills or manage your property if you are incapacitated.
What to Have Handy
- Your designated agent's name and contact info
- Location of your power of attorney documents
- Any alternate agents you have named
- Scope of authority granted (financial, property, etc.)
12. Durable Power of Attorney
Power of attorney documents and agents.
Organ or Body Donation
What This Section Covers
Your wishes about organ donation, tissue donation, or donating your body to medical science or education.
Why It Matters
Time is critical for organ donation -- decisions often need to be made within hours. If your family does not know your wishes, they may have to make this decision under extreme pressure and grief.
What to Have Handy
- Whether you want to be an organ or tissue donor
- Any restrictions on what can be donated
- Location of your donor card or registry confirmation
- Contact info for any receiving organization (if donating body to science)
Most major religions support organ donation. If you have concerns, talk to your faith leader. One organ donor can save up to eight lives.
Section Guide — Organ or Body Donation
What This Section Covers
Your wishes about organ donation, tissue donation, or donating your body to medical science or education.
Why It Matters
Time is critical for organ donation -- decisions often need to be made within hours. If your family does not know your wishes, they may have to make this decision under extreme pressure and grief.
What to Have Handy
- Whether you want to be an organ or tissue donor
- Any restrictions on what can be donated
- Location of your donor card or registry confirmation
- Contact info for any receiving organization (if donating body to science)
13. Organ or Body Donation
Your wishes regarding organ or body donation after death.
Burial or Cremation
What This Section Covers
Your preferences for burial, cremation, green burial, or other final disposition -- including cemetery, plot, urn, casket, and any pre-arranged plans.
Why It Matters
These decisions often need to be made within days, while your family is still in shock. Knowing your preferences relieves them of guessing and second-guessing during the hardest week of their lives.
What to Have Handy
- Whether you prefer burial, cremation, or another option
- Any pre-purchased plots, niches, or arrangements
- Casket or urn preferences
- Clothing or personal items you want included
If you have already made and paid for arrangements, document exactly where and with whom. Prepaid plans that no one knows about are surprisingly common.
Section Guide — Burial or Cremation
What This Section Covers
Your preferences for burial, cremation, green burial, or other final disposition -- including cemetery, plot, urn, casket, and any pre-arranged plans.
Why It Matters
These decisions often need to be made within days, while your family is still in shock. Knowing your preferences relieves them of guessing and second-guessing during the hardest week of their lives.
What to Have Handy
- Whether you prefer burial, cremation, or another option
- Any pre-purchased plots, niches, or arrangements
- Casket or urn preferences
- Clothing or personal items you want included
14. Burial or Cremation
Detailed preferences for burial, cremation, casket, headstone, epitaph, and apparel.
Funeral and Memorial
What This Section Covers
Your wishes for funeral or memorial services -- the tone, music, readings, speakers, location, flowers, and any specific requests or things you absolutely do not want.
Why It Matters
A funeral should reflect who you were. Your family will feel much better honoring your specific wishes than agonizing over whether you would have wanted lilies or roses.
What to Have Handy
- Preferred funeral home (if any)
- Music, readings, or poems that are meaningful to you
- People you would want to speak or participate
- Any specific requests (or things you definitely do not want)
This does not have to be somber. If you want everyone in Hawaiian shirts and your favorite playlist -- say so. It is your celebration.
Section Guide — Funeral and Memorial
What This Section Covers
Your wishes for funeral or memorial services -- the tone, music, readings, speakers, location, flowers, and any specific requests or things you absolutely do not want.
Why It Matters
A funeral should reflect who you were. Your family will feel much better honoring your specific wishes than agonizing over whether you would have wanted lilies or roses.
What to Have Handy
- Preferred funeral home (if any)
- Music, readings, or poems that are meaningful to you
- People you would want to speak or participate
- Any specific requests (or things you definitely do not want)
15. Funeral and Memorial Services
Viewing, funeral/memorial service, and reception preferences.
Obituary
What This Section Covers
Draft obituary information -- or notes and facts for whoever writes it. Key biographical facts, achievements, personality, passions, and what mattered most to you.
Why It Matters
Obituaries are written under time pressure by grieving family members. Having the facts ready -- and your own words about what mattered -- makes it much easier and more authentic.
What to Have Handy
- Key life dates and places
- Career highlights and education
- Hobbies, passions, and personality traits
- Surviving family members (names and relationships)
Write a few sentences about yourself the way you would want to be described. Your family will treasure having your voice in the obituary.
Section Guide — Obituary
What This Section Covers
Draft obituary information -- or notes and facts for whoever writes it. Key biographical facts, achievements, personality, passions, and what mattered most to you.
Why It Matters
Obituaries are written under time pressure by grieving family members. Having the facts ready -- and your own words about what mattered -- makes it much easier and more authentic.
What to Have Handy
- Key life dates and places
- Career highlights and education
- Hobbies, passions, and personality traits
- Surviving family members (names and relationships)
16. Obituary
Obituary preferences and content details.
Will and Trust
What This Section Covers
Information about your will, trusts, and overall estate plan -- where documents are stored, who the executor is, and the key provisions your family needs to know about.
Why It Matters
Your will is the legal foundation of your estate plan. Your family needs to find it quickly and understand what it says. Delays can cause legal complications and family conflict.
What to Have Handy
- Location of your will (original and copies)
- Your executor's name and contact information
- Attorney who prepared the will
- Any trusts, amendments, or codicils
If you do not have a will yet, this section will help you think about what you need. But please get one -- dying without a will (intestate) means the state decides who gets what.
Section Guide — Will and Trust
What This Section Covers
Information about your will, trusts, and overall estate plan -- where documents are stored, who the executor is, and the key provisions your family needs to know about.
Why It Matters
Your will is the legal foundation of your estate plan. Your family needs to find it quickly and understand what it says. Delays can cause legal complications and family conflict.
What to Have Handy
- Location of your will (original and copies)
- Your executor's name and contact information
- Attorney who prepared the will
- Any trusts, amendments, or codicils
17. Will and Trust
Details of your will, trusts, and related legal documents.
Insurance
What This Section Covers
All your insurance policies -- life, health, home, auto, disability, long-term care, umbrella, malpractice, and any others. Policy numbers, companies, agents, and coverage details.
Why It Matters
Insurance benefits do not pay themselves. Your family needs to know what policies exist, where to find them, and how to file claims. Undiscovered policies mean unclaimed money.
What to Have Handy
- Policy numbers and company names for all insurance
- Agent or broker contact information
- Beneficiary designations
- Location of policy documents
Check with every employer you have ever worked for -- group life insurance policies from past jobs are frequently forgotten.
Section Guide — Insurance
What This Section Covers
All your insurance policies -- life, health, home, auto, disability, long-term care, umbrella, malpractice, and any others. Policy numbers, companies, agents, and coverage details.
Why It Matters
Insurance benefits do not pay themselves. Your family needs to know what policies exist, where to find them, and how to file claims. Undiscovered policies mean unclaimed money.
What to Have Handy
- Policy numbers and company names for all insurance
- Agent or broker contact information
- Beneficiary designations
- Location of policy documents
18. Insurance
All insurance policies organized by category.
Bank and Brokerage Accounts
What This Section Covers
All bank accounts, brokerage accounts, investment accounts, CDs, money market accounts, and any other financial accounts -- including online-only institutions.
Why It Matters
Undiscovered accounts are more common than you would think. Banks are not required to notify families. This ensures nothing is forgotten or lost to escheatment.
What to Have Handy
- Account numbers and institution names
- Online banking login information (or reference to Section 23)
- Safe deposit box locations and key whereabouts
- Names of any joint account holders or beneficiaries
Include every account, even small ones. Check old statements for accounts you may have forgotten about.
Section Guide — Bank and Brokerage Accounts
What This Section Covers
All bank accounts, brokerage accounts, investment accounts, CDs, money market accounts, and any other financial accounts -- including online-only institutions.
Why It Matters
Undiscovered accounts are more common than you would think. Banks are not required to notify families. This ensures nothing is forgotten or lost to escheatment.
What to Have Handy
- Account numbers and institution names
- Online banking login information (or reference to Section 23)
- Safe deposit box locations and key whereabouts
- Names of any joint account holders or beneficiaries
19. Bank and Brokerage Accounts
Financial institution accounts and access information.
Retirement Plans and Pensions
What This Section Covers
401(k)s, 403(b)s, IRAs, Roth IRAs, pensions, annuities, deferred compensation, and other retirement accounts -- including beneficiary designations for each.
Why It Matters
Retirement accounts often pass by beneficiary designation, not through your will. Outdated beneficiary forms are one of the most common and costly estate planning mistakes.
What to Have Handy
- Account numbers and plan administrators
- Current beneficiary designations for each account
- Pension plan details and survivor benefit elections
- Any required minimum distributions (RMDs) in progress
Check your beneficiary designations now. Life changes like divorce, remarriage, or new children may mean your accounts would go to someone you did not intend.
Section Guide — Retirement Plans and Pensions
What This Section Covers
401(k)s, 403(b)s, IRAs, Roth IRAs, pensions, annuities, deferred compensation, and other retirement accounts -- including beneficiary designations for each.
Why It Matters
Retirement accounts often pass by beneficiary designation, not through your will. Outdated beneficiary forms are one of the most common and costly estate planning mistakes.
What to Have Handy
- Account numbers and plan administrators
- Current beneficiary designations for each account
- Pension plan details and survivor benefit elections
- Any required minimum distributions (RMDs) in progress
20. Retirement Plans and Pensions
Employer-sponsored plans and individual retirement accounts.
Government Benefits
What This Section Covers
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, disability payments, and any other government programs you participate in or are eligible for.
Why It Matters
Your surviving spouse and dependent children may be eligible for survivor benefits they do not know about. VA benefits, Social Security survivor payments, and other programs can provide significant ongoing support.
What to Have Handy
- Social Security number and benefit amounts
- VA identification and service details (if applicable)
- Medicare or Medicaid enrollment information
- Any pending claims or applications
Social Security survivor benefits can be substantial. Your surviving spouse should contact SSA promptly -- some benefits have application deadlines.
Section Guide — Government Benefits
What This Section Covers
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, disability payments, and any other government programs you participate in or are eligible for.
Why It Matters
Your surviving spouse and dependent children may be eligible for survivor benefits they do not know about. VA benefits, Social Security survivor payments, and other programs can provide significant ongoing support.
What to Have Handy
- Social Security number and benefit amounts
- VA identification and service details (if applicable)
- Medicare or Medicaid enrollment information
- Any pending claims or applications
21. Government Benefits
Social Security and other government benefit programs.
Credit Cards and Debts
What This Section Covers
All credit cards, loans, mortgages, lines of credit, and other debts -- plus any debts others owe to you. Who to contact, what is auto-paid, and where statements are sent.
Why It Matters
Debts do not always die with you. Your family needs to know what exists so they can handle it properly -- and so they do not pay debts they are not legally obligated to pay.
What to Have Handy
- All credit card numbers and issuers
- Outstanding loans and monthly payments
- Any automatic payment arrangements
- Debts others owe to you (personal loans, etc.)
Creditors may contact your family aggressively. Not all debts transfer to survivors. An attorney can help distinguish what must be paid from your estate versus what can be discharged.
Section Guide — Credit Cards and Debts
What This Section Covers
All credit cards, loans, mortgages, lines of credit, and other debts -- plus any debts others owe to you. Who to contact, what is auto-paid, and where statements are sent.
Why It Matters
Debts do not always die with you. Your family needs to know what exists so they can handle it properly -- and so they do not pay debts they are not legally obligated to pay.
What to Have Handy
- All credit card numbers and issuers
- Outstanding loans and monthly payments
- Any automatic payment arrangements
- Debts others owe to you (personal loans, etc.)
22. Credit Cards and Debts
Bills, auto payments, credit cards, and debts.
Secured Places and Passwords
What This Section Covers
Safe combinations, passwords, PINs, security questions, digital account access, password managers, and where to find important physical keys.
Why It Matters
In the digital age, being locked out of accounts can be as devastating as a lost safe combination. This section is the master key to everything else in the planner.
What to Have Handy
- Password manager master password (or how to access it)
- Phone, computer, and tablet PINs and passwords
- Email account access (the gateway to password resets)
- Safe deposit box keys, home safe combinations, storage unit codes
If you use a password manager, documenting access to that one tool may be all your family needs. If you do not use one, this is a great reason to start.
Section Guide — Secured Places and Passwords
What This Section Covers
Safe combinations, passwords, PINs, security questions, digital account access, password managers, and where to find important physical keys.
Why It Matters
In the digital age, being locked out of accounts can be as devastating as a lost safe combination. This section is the master key to everything else in the planner.
What to Have Handy
- Password manager master password (or how to access it)
- Phone, computer, and tablet PINs and passwords
- Email account access (the gateway to password resets)
- Safe deposit box keys, home safe combinations, storage unit codes
23. Secured Places and Passwords
Passwords, safe deposit boxes, keys, and secured assets.
Taxes
What This Section Covers
Your tax preparer's contact info, filing status, locations of past returns, and any ongoing tax obligations or situations your estate will need to handle.
Why It Matters
Your estate will likely need to file a final tax return, and possibly estate tax returns. Your family needs to know who handles your taxes and where to find records.
What to Have Handy
- Tax preparer or CPA contact information
- Location of past tax returns (paper and digital)
- Any ongoing tax situations (audits, installment plans, extensions)
- State and federal filing information
Keep at least seven years of tax returns accessible. Your tax preparer is often the most helpful first call for your executor.
Section Guide — Taxes
What This Section Covers
Your tax preparer's contact info, filing status, locations of past returns, and any ongoing tax obligations or situations your estate will need to handle.
Why It Matters
Your estate will likely need to file a final tax return, and possibly estate tax returns. Your family needs to know who handles your taxes and where to find records.
What to Have Handy
- Tax preparer or CPA contact information
- Location of past tax returns (paper and digital)
- Any ongoing tax situations (audits, installment plans, extensions)
- State and federal filing information
24. Taxes
Tax professionals and record locations.
Real Estate
What This Section Covers
All real estate you own or lease -- primary residence, vacation homes, rental properties, undeveloped land, timeshares, and any properties abroad.
Why It Matters
Property transfers require deeds, titles, mortgage payoff information, and often legal proceedings. Having everything documented ensures a smooth transition and prevents properties from being lost or forgotten.
What to Have Handy
- Property addresses and legal descriptions
- Mortgage lender information and account numbers
- Location of deeds and title documents
- Tenant or property manager contact info (for rentals)
Include timeshares and vacation properties. Also note any properties you are in the process of buying or selling.
Section Guide — Real Estate
What This Section Covers
All real estate you own or lease -- primary residence, vacation homes, rental properties, undeveloped land, timeshares, and any properties abroad.
Why It Matters
Property transfers require deeds, titles, mortgage payoff information, and often legal proceedings. Having everything documented ensures a smooth transition and prevents properties from being lost or forgotten.
What to Have Handy
- Property addresses and legal descriptions
- Mortgage lender information and account numbers
- Location of deeds and title documents
- Tenant or property manager contact info (for rentals)
25. Real Estate
Owned and rented properties with care instructions.
Vehicles
What This Section Covers
All titled vehicles -- cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs, trailers, ATVs, and recreational vehicles. Titles, loans, registration, and insurance details.
Why It Matters
Vehicle titles need to be transferred, loans need to be addressed, and registration and insurance need to be updated or cancelled. Your family needs to know what exists and where the paperwork is.
What to Have Handy
- Title locations for each vehicle
- Loan or lease information
- Registration and insurance details
- Location of keys and spare keys
Do not forget boats, trailers, ATVs, or any vehicle with a title. Also note any vehicles you are making payments on for someone else.
Section Guide — Vehicles
What This Section Covers
All titled vehicles -- cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs, trailers, ATVs, and recreational vehicles. Titles, loans, registration, and insurance details.
Why It Matters
Vehicle titles need to be transferred, loans need to be addressed, and registration and insurance need to be updated or cancelled. Your family needs to know what exists and where the paperwork is.
What to Have Handy
- Title locations for each vehicle
- Loan or lease information
- Registration and insurance details
- Location of keys and spare keys
26. Vehicles
Owned and leased vehicles.
Other Income and Personal Property
What This Section Covers
Other income sources (royalties, rental income, freelance work, side businesses) and significant personal property (collections, jewelry, art, antiques, tools, firearms, intellectual property).
Why It Matters
Valuable personal property and ongoing income streams are easily overlooked in estate settlement. A rare book collection or a royalty check might be worth more than anyone realized.
What to Have Handy
- Any income streams beyond salary (royalties, dividends, side income)
- Valuable personal property (collections, jewelry, art, firearms)
- Intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks)
- Items with sentimental value you want directed to specific people
If something has significant financial or sentimental value, write it down. The alternative is your family guessing -- or worse, accidentally selling your first-edition Hemingway at a garage sale.
Section Guide — Other Income and Personal Property
What This Section Covers
Other income sources (royalties, rental income, freelance work, side businesses) and significant personal property (collections, jewelry, art, antiques, tools, firearms, intellectual property).
Why It Matters
Valuable personal property and ongoing income streams are easily overlooked in estate settlement. A rare book collection or a royalty check might be worth more than anyone realized.
What to Have Handy
- Any income streams beyond salary (royalties, dividends, side income)
- Valuable personal property (collections, jewelry, art, firearms)
- Intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks)
- Items with sentimental value you want directed to specific people
27. Other Income and Personal Property
Other sources of income, personal property, and expected receipts.
Other Information
What This Section Covers
A catch-all for anything that does not fit in the other sections -- special requests, or just things you want someone to know.
Why It Matters
Life does not fit neatly into categories. This is your space for the loose ends, the important context, and the things that would otherwise go unsaid.
What to Have Handy
- Anything you have been meaning to tell someone
- Any other information that does not fit elsewhere
If you have already filled out the other sections thoroughly, this one might be short -- and that is perfectly fine.
Section Guide — Other Information
What This Section Covers
A catch-all for anything that does not fit in the other sections -- special requests, or just things you want someone to know.
Why It Matters
Life does not fit neatly into categories. This is your space for the loose ends, the important context, and the things that would otherwise go unsaid.
What to Have Handy
- Anything you have been meaning to tell someone
- Any other information that does not fit elsewhere
28. Other Information
Any other information not covered in the previous sections.
Digital Life & Legacy
What This Section Covers
Your digital footprint -- social media accounts, email, cloud storage, cryptocurrency, streaming subscriptions, online businesses, smart home devices, two-factor authentication, digital purchases, loyalty programs, domains, and online communities.
Why It Matters
The average person has over 100 online accounts. Without a plan, your family may not even know they exist -- let alone how to access, transfer, or close them. Cryptocurrency without access instructions can be lost forever.
What to Have Handy
- A list of your social media accounts and email addresses
- Cryptocurrency wallet information (NOT seed phrases -- just where to find them)
- Streaming and subscription services you pay for
- Password manager details or where your master password is stored
- Any online businesses, domains, or websites you own
Consider designating a 'digital executor' -- a tech-savvy person you trust to handle your online presence. Many platforms (Google, Facebook, Apple) have built-in legacy contact features you can set up now.
Section Guide — Digital Life & Legacy
What This Section Covers
Your digital footprint -- social media accounts, email, cloud storage, cryptocurrency, streaming subscriptions, online businesses, smart home devices, two-factor authentication, digital purchases, loyalty programs, domains, and online communities.
Why It Matters
The average person has over 100 online accounts. Without a plan, your family may not even know they exist -- let alone how to access, transfer, or close them. Cryptocurrency without access instructions can be lost forever.
What to Have Handy
- A list of your social media accounts and email addresses
- Cryptocurrency wallet information (NOT seed phrases -- just where to find them)
- Streaming and subscription services you pay for
- Password manager details or where your master password is stored
- Any online businesses, domains, or websites you own
29. Digital Life & Legacy
Your digital presence -- social media accounts, email, cloud storage, cryptocurrency, subscriptions, online businesses, smart home devices, and more. What should be memorialized, deleted, or transferred?
Related: Section 23 · Section 19 · Section 22
Values, Stories & Wishes
What This Section Covers
Your core values, life lessons, favorite recipes, family stories, traditions, sayings and inside jokes, child-rearing wishes, spiritual beliefs, relationship context, charitable causes, forgiveness, and hopes for the future.
Why It Matters
Legal and financial planning is essential, but this is what your family will treasure most. The stories, the recipes, the values -- these are the things that keep you present in their lives long after you are gone.
What to Have Handy
- Think about stories you tell over and over -- those are the ones worth writing down
- Family recipes (especially the ones only you know)
- Traditions you hope will continue
- Values or lessons you want to pass on
Do not try to be profound. The most meaningful entries are often the simplest: 'Always eat dinner together.' 'The secret to my cornbread is buttermilk.' 'Tell your people you love them -- out loud, every time.'
Section Guide — Values, Stories & Wishes
What This Section Covers
Your core values, life lessons, favorite recipes, family stories, traditions, sayings and inside jokes, child-rearing wishes, spiritual beliefs, relationship context, charitable causes, forgiveness, and hopes for the future.
Why It Matters
Legal and financial planning is essential, but this is what your family will treasure most. The stories, the recipes, the values -- these are the things that keep you present in their lives long after you are gone.
What to Have Handy
- Think about stories you tell over and over -- those are the ones worth writing down
- Family recipes (especially the ones only you know)
- Traditions you hope will continue
- Values or lessons you want to pass on
30. Values, Stories & Wishes
The things that make you you -- your values, life lessons, favorite stories, family traditions, recipes, hopes for the future, and anything you want the people you love to remember.
Related: Section 1 · Section 14 · Section 15 · Section 16
Home & Household
What This Section Covers
Emergency shutoff locations, home quirks and workarounds, seasonal maintenance tasks, renovation history, major appliances, where things are stored, garden and yard care, and trash and recycling details.
Why It Matters
You carry an enormous amount of household knowledge in your head. If you were suddenly unavailable, could someone else keep the house running? This section is the owner's manual for your home.
What to Have Handy
- Walk through your home and note the things only you know
- Emergency shutoff locations (water, gas, electric)
- Seasonal tasks and when they need to happen
- Major appliance details (brand, model, warranty, filter sizes)
- Contractor and service provider contacts
The best way to fill this out: imagine handing your house keys to a competent friend for a month. What would you need to tell them? Start there.
Section Guide — Home & Household
What This Section Covers
Emergency shutoff locations, home quirks and workarounds, seasonal maintenance tasks, renovation history, major appliances, where things are stored, garden and yard care, and trash and recycling details.
Why It Matters
You carry an enormous amount of household knowledge in your head. If you were suddenly unavailable, could someone else keep the house running? This section is the owner's manual for your home.
What to Have Handy
- Walk through your home and note the things only you know
- Emergency shutoff locations (water, gas, electric)
- Seasonal tasks and when they need to happen
- Major appliance details (brand, model, warranty, filter sizes)
- Contractor and service provider contacts
31. Home & Household
The practical knowledge about your home that lives in your head -- where things are, how things work, seasonal maintenance, quirks only you know about, and the information someone would need to keep the household running.
Related: Section 25 · Section 23 · Section 27
Commitments & Pending Matters
What This Section Covers
Items you have loaned or borrowed, promises you have made, recurring commitments (volunteering, carpools, boards), pending disputes, pre-purchased gifts, storage units, important upcoming dates, and projects in progress.
Why It Matters
These are the things that slip through the cracks -- the borrowed power drill that should go back, the birthday gift already hidden in the closet, the storage unit everyone forgot about. Your family will thank you for this list.
What to Have Handy
- Think about things you have lent out or borrowed
- Recurring commitments others depend on you for
- Any gifts you have bought ahead of time
- Storage units or off-site storage locations
- Upcoming dates, deadlines, or renewals
This section pairs well with Section 2 (Instructions). Use this one for the inventory of loose ends, and Section 2 for telling people what to do about them.
Section Guide — Commitments & Pending Matters
What This Section Covers
Items you have loaned or borrowed, promises you have made, recurring commitments (volunteering, carpools, boards), pending disputes, pre-purchased gifts, storage units, important upcoming dates, and projects in progress.
Why It Matters
These are the things that slip through the cracks -- the borrowed power drill that should go back, the birthday gift already hidden in the closet, the storage unit everyone forgot about. Your family will thank you for this list.
What to Have Handy
- Think about things you have lent out or borrowed
- Recurring commitments others depend on you for
- Any gifts you have bought ahead of time
- Storage units or off-site storage locations
- Upcoming dates, deadlines, or renewals
32. Commitments & Pending Matters
Loose ends, open commitments, and things in progress -- items loaned or borrowed, promises made, recurring obligations, pending disputes, pre-purchased gifts, storage units, and important dates someone will need to know about.
Related: Section 2 · Section 10 · Section 22 · Section 27