Key Takeaways
- Gather wills, policies, account lists, and property documents in one known place.
- Tell at least one trusted person where everything is.
- A simple checklist beats a perfect system that never gets finished.
01What to gather
Start with the essentials: your will or trust, life insurance policies, a list of financial accounts, property deeds, vehicle titles, and any healthcare directives. Add contact information for your attorney, financial professional, and insurance agent if you have them.
You don't need to include account numbers or passwords to make this useful — a simple list of where accounts are held is enough to save your family weeks of searching.
02Where to keep it
Choose one secure, findable place — a fireproof home safe or a clearly labeled folder — and resist scattering copies in multiple spots. Some documents, like an original will, should be stored carefully since courts often prefer originals.
03The step most people skip
Tell someone. The best-organized folder in the world doesn't help if no one knows it exists. Choose one or two trusted people and let them know where things are and who to call first.
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SCHEDULE A LEGACY REVIEWThis article is educational only and is not legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Estate-planning documents and legal advice should be provided by a qualified attorney.