Most people seem to avoid this topic, not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know where to start. However, having the right documents and details organized ahead of time can remove a huge amount of confusion and emotional strain later.  

This article outlines the essentials. For help organizing everything in one clear place, download our free guide. This is not legal advice, and it’s not about drafting documents. This checklist is about making sure the right information exists and can be found when it matters most.  

1. A clear picture of your financial life 

Most people keep their financial details private for their entire lives. But when it comes to transferring wealth, or decision-making authority, clarity matters. A well-organized financial snapshot gives loved ones and decision-makers the information they need to act confidently and in your best interest.  

• A current net worth and income snapshot 
• A list of financial accounts, including bank, investment, and retirement accounts 
• Where each account is held 
• How those accounts can be accessed 
• Current beneficiary designations 
• Contact information for key advisors (financial advisor, attorney, CPA)  

If you need help creating this financial picture or organizing it into a usable plan, an experienced financial planner or advisor can guide you through the process and help ensure nothing important is overlooked.  

2. Estate-related documents and decision makers 

In an emergency or after a diagnosis, adult children or powers of attorney will do their best to advocate for you. But uncertainty can slow decisions and add stress. Thoughtful preparation now removes guesswork later.  

• Your will  
• Any trust documents
• Financial power of attorney  
• Healthcare power of attorney  
• Advance healthcare directive or living will  
• DNR orders, if applicable 

Clear documentation doesn’t just protect your wishes. It gives your loved ones confidence that they are acting exactly as you intended. 

3. Preparation for roles and responsibilities 

Navigating financial decisions alone can feel daunting. Providing a list of trusted advisors and their contact information to loved ones can help them act with more confidence.  

• Communicated role as executor, trustee, or power of attorney  
• How to contact your advisors  
• Where important documents are stored  
• What decisions they may be asked to make  

Tip: introduce your adult children, or trusted contacts to your advisors now while you’re still in control. Establishing a connection earlier can help build trust and help make executing your wishes easier.   

4. Digital access and online information 

Today, much of life is managed online: email, documents, photos, finances, and even communication with doctors and advisors. Having a thoughtful plan for digital access can prevent confusion and delays during an emergency.  

• How to access primary email accounts and cloud storage where important documents are kept  
• The use of a password manager and where trusted individuals can find instructions to access it  
• What should happen to online accounts, including social media, subscriptions, and digital services 

A note on security:  
Never store passwords in plain text or share them casually. Instead, document how access should be granted, such as through a password manager’s emergency access feature or written instructions stored securely. The goal is to maintain privacy during life, while ensuring trusted loved ones can step in smoothly if needed.  

Planning ahead protects both your digital life and the people who may need to manage it on your behalf.  

 5. A centralized “in case of emergency” file 

In an emergency, time and clarity matter. A single, well-organized file can spare loved ones from unnecessary stress and scrambling.  

• Copies of planning documents  
• Financial account summaries  
• Insurance policies  
• Real estate deeds and vehicle titles  
• Business ownership documents  
• Recent tax returns  
• Digital access instructions  

Creating this file is a smart step, but it only works if people know it exists. Take time to tell trusted family members where the file is kept, how to access it, and what role you’d want them to play if you needed their advocacy.  

6. Personal communication and context 

Sharing the why behind your decisions helps loved one's advocate for you with confidence, especially in moments when circumstances are uncertain or emotionally charged.  

• Your core values and priorities  
• The reasoning behind key financial, medical, or family decisions  
• Your wishes for medical care, aging, and end-of-life preferences  

These conversations don’t need to happen all at once. What matters is giving trusted individuals insight into how you think, not just what you’ve decided. 

7. A plan to review and update 

Even the best plan can become outdated. Build in a regular review process to ensure planning documents keep pace with life changes.  

• Updating your financial snapshot  
• Reviewing beneficiaries  
• Confirming contact information  
• Rechecking where documents are stored  

A simple annual check-in (or a review after major life events) can help ensure your plan remains accurate, relevant, and ready when it’s needed.  

Seeing a list like this can feel overwhelming, but don’t let that stop you from taking care of this important priority. To make the process more approachable, we created Beyond the Will, a comprehensive guide that walks you through and breaks down what it means to be prepared, step by step. You can download the full guide for free here. 

If you’d like to consult with a financial advisor, the planners at Carnegie Investment Counsel can help.