Legal essentials
- A current will or revocable living trust
- Durable power of attorney for finances
- Healthcare power of attorney and living will
- HIPAA authorization for designated people
- An executor or successor trustee who knows their role
Medical wishes
- Advance directive specific to your state
- POLST or MOLST form if appropriate
- Organ and tissue donation preferences
- Allergies, conditions, and current medications in one place
Financial picture
- List of bank, brokerage, 401(k), and IRA accounts
- Life and disability insurance policies and beneficiaries
- Social Security and pension details
- Mortgages, loans, and recurring obligations
- Up-to-date beneficiary and TOD/POD designations
Personal & family
- Funeral, memorial, or celebration-of-life wishes
- Burial or cremation preference
- Letters or messages for loved ones
- Care instructions for pets and dependents
- Digital accounts and what should happen to them
Why this matters
Most of the difficulty families face after a loss is not grief alone — it is uncertainty. A short checklist, kept current, removes most of that uncertainty before it ever arrives.
This guide is for general information only and is not legal, financial, or medical advice. Estate, probate, and tax rules vary by state — speak with a qualified professional about your family's situation.