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“IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, START HERE.” A SIMPLE ROADMAP FOR YOUR CHILDREN

in 4) Trusts & Estates

Most estate planning focuses on the big picture: who gets the house, how the trust is structured and who manages the accounts. But when an emergency or a death happens, it’s the small, missing details that cause the most stress for adult children.

Where are your original estate planning documents? Who is your lawyer/accountant/insurance agent/financial planner and how do we contact them? What do we do with your business? What are your account passwords?

Leaving a “Where Things Are” list is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family. It ensures that if something happens, they aren’t searching through drawers or guessing at passwords during an already difficult time.

Your Essential Checklist:

  1. Important Paperwork
  • Original Will and Trust documents.
  • Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy.
  • Property deeds, mortgages, and insurance policies.
  • Vital records: Social Security cards, passports, and birth/marriage certificates.
  1. Financial Access
  • List of bank, investment, and retirement accounts.
  • Credit card(s) and outstanding loan information.
  • Safe deposit box location and the physical key (if you have one of these, let’s discuss why you shouldn’t).
  • Access to your password manager or digital login vault.
  1. The Household “User Manual”
  • Combination for you safe.
  • Alarm codes, house keys, and garage door openers.
  • The location of the breaker box, water shutoff, and gas shutoff.
  • Wi-Fi passwords and streaming service logins.
  • A list of trusted service providers: plumber, electrician, and HVAC tech.
  1. Medical & Personal Details
  • Primary doctors’ names and contact info.
  • Current medications and pharmacy details.
  • Funeral or burial instructions, including plot and pre-paid policy information.
  1. The Professional Circle
  • Contact information for your attorney, accountant, and financial advisor.
  • The names of your designated executor, trustee, and guardian for any minor children.
  1. For the Pets
  • Vet contact info, feeding schedules, and medication instructions.

The Best Way to Organize It

Keep this information in a single, physical folder and one secure digital copy. Store the folder in a clearly labeled place and tell your children or executor exactly where to find it. A simple cover note, titled “If something happens, start here” provides the immediate direction they will need to act quickly and confidently.

Secure Your Legacy Today

Your legacy is more than just paperwork; it’s the basis of your family’s peace. Don’t leave their future to chance. We help you facilitate these vital conversations and ensure your plan is both legally sound and clearly understood.