Most people never sit down and make this kind of list because it feels overwhelming. The good news: you don't have to do it in one afternoon. You can do one section at a time, over weeks or months. The version you finish — however slowly — is infinitely more useful than the perfect one you never start.
Step 1 · Document the basics
- Full legal name and any prior names
- Date and place of birth
- Social Security number (stored securely)
- Marriage, divorce, and military records
- Citizenship and passport information
- Children's full names and dates of birth
Step 2 · Gather legal documents
- Last Will and Testament
- Durable Power of Attorney (finances)
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Living Will / Advance Directive
- Living Trust documents, if applicable
- DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) instructions, if applicable
Step 3 · Financial accounts and obligations
- Checking and savings accounts
- Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pensions)
- Investment and brokerage accounts
- Mortgages and outstanding loans
- Credit cards (with statements)
- Recurring bills and how they're paid
- Tax returns from the past three years
Step 4 · Insurance and benefits
- Life insurance policies (and policy numbers)
- Health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid information
- Long-term care insurance
- Homeowner's, renter's, and auto insurance
- Social Security information
- Pension and annuity records
- VA benefits and DD-214 (for veterans)
Step 5 · Healthcare information
- Primary care doctor and specialists
- Current medications and dosages
- Allergies and conditions
- Pharmacy information
- Hospital preference, if any
- Organ donation wishes
Step 6 · Digital life
- Password manager with legacy / emergency access set up
- List of essential online accounts
- Email accounts (often the master key)
- Cloud photo and document storage
- Social media accounts and memorialization preferences
- Two-factor backup codes
Step 7 · Final wishes
- Burial or cremation preference
- Funeral home or pre-need arrangements
- Service preferences (location, music, readings, religious traditions)
- Obituary information and photo
- Who should be notified
- Military honors, if applicable
Step 8 · People to contact
- Spouse, children, and immediate family
- Closest friends
- Employer or business partners
- Attorney, accountant, and financial advisor
- Insurance agent
- Clergy or spiritual advisor
- Funeral home of choice
Step 9 · Personal items and sentimental wishes
- Letters to specific loved ones
- Special items and who should receive them
- Family photos, recordings, and stories
- Care instructions for pets
- Recipes or family traditions you want preserved
Years later, families often treasure these notes more than any account number on the list.
Step 10 · Tell someone where everything is
A perfectly organized binder no one knows about doesn't help anyone. Tell at least one trusted person — usually a spouse, adult child, or close friend — where the file lives and how to access it. Revisit the file once a year. Lives change, and good plans change with them.