End-of-Life Planning Checklist

The most loving gift a person can give to one's family is to put your affairs in order before a disaster or medical emergency. Although having your estate planning documents and letter of instruction in place will not make the grief the surviving spouse feels any less, it will, however, give the survivor one less thing to overwhelm and worry them during a very difficult period. The following is a list of information and documents you should have prepared:

Wills or trusts.
Durable powers of attorney.
Healthcare powers of attorney.
Data on funeral planning: pre-need arrangements, burial or cremation contracts.
Written instructions on specific wishes for wakes, funerals, or memorial services.
A list, including statements with account numbers and location of titles, of all property, including bank accounts, investment and retirement accounts, real estate, annuities, etc..
A list of all debt: mortgages, home equity, auto, boat, education loans, credit cards.
List of all credit or debit card account numbers, security numbers and pins.
Information on safety deposit boxes including bank name, location of key and box number.
A list of "important" or valuable personal property.
A list of all income sources: social security, pensions, annuities, IRAs, etc..
A list of all insurance policies.
A list of all employers worked for, unions joined or military service.
A list of all advisors, including accountants, attorneys, brokers, insurance agents.
Personal telephone book (possibly holiday card list.)
Location of tax returns.
User IDs and passwords to computer, websites and any financial software.