Identity & personal records
- Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Passports and naturalization documents
- Social Security cards
- Driver's license or state ID
- Military discharge papers (DD-214) if applicable
Legal & estate
- Will or revocable living trust
- Durable power of attorney for finances
- Healthcare power of attorney and living will
- HIPAA authorization
- Executor or successor trustee contact
Financial
- Bank, brokerage, 401(k), and IRA accounts
- Mortgage, loans, and credit accounts
- Insurance policies (life, home, auto, health)
- Social Security and pension records
- Tax returns from the last several years
Property & assets
- Deeds and property titles
- Vehicle titles and registrations
- Safe deposit box location and key
- List of valuables and where they are kept
Digital life
- Email accounts and recovery methods
- Cloud storage and photo libraries
- Password manager access
- Social media accounts and preferences
- Subscriptions and recurring payments
A simple method
Pick one quiet afternoon. Make a single list of everything above, even if you can't find it all yet. Note where each item lives today, and who would need it. That list — kept current — is the most useful thing you can leave your family.
Keep the list itself somewhere private and secure. It is a map to your most sensitive information.