Don’t Leave Them Guessing! Important Documents for Your Family

September 30, 2026 • By Russell W. Hall, CFP®, CPWA®

If an emergency happened tomorrow, would your family know where to find the information they need to manage your affairs?

You say they couldn’t, because you haven’t set those documents aside, and you’re not even sure what should be included?

If that’s you, here are some ideas to consider. This is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a good start for most situations. Also, don’t feel like you need to gather all of this information in one day. Work on it bit by bit, and remember that even a partially completed file is much better for your family than nothing at all.

Important Information

Store this and the other documents mentioned below in a binder in a secure location.

• For incapacity:

  • Primary doctor

  • Medication list

  • Health insurance information

• For death:

  • Final wishes and funeral instructions

  • Contact details for professionals (attorney, tax preparer, and financial advisor)

  • Prepaid burial plot information

Estate Planning

Have the original documents available, if possible. For trusts, make sure all amendments and restatements are included.

• Legal documents:

  • Powers of attorney

  • Wills

  • Trusts

  • Advance health care directives

  • HIPAA authorization forms

Personal

• Social Security cards

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Divorce decrees

• Adoption records

• Passports

• Veterans: military discharge paperwork (DD Form 214)

Insurance

A list is helpful here, along with the actual policy documents if available. This can help your family identify benefits that might otherwise be overlooked.

• Policies:

  • Life

  • Long-term care

  • Disability

  • Auto

  • Homeowners

  • Umbrella

Financial Accounts

Include institution name, account number, and beneficiary designations if applicable.

• Bank or credit union accounts

• Safe deposit boxes

• Brokerage accounts

• Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, etc.)

• Annuities and other investment accounts

Asset Records

• Real estate, with property deeds and mortgage information

• Vehicle titles and loan information, if applicable

• Details on other valuable property (like jewelry, collectibles, and firearms)

Digital Accounts

Information on digital accounts is as important as physical documents, if not more so. Keeping a good inventory of all login information is crucial. Using a password manager is often the best solution, since you can store all usernames, passwords, websites, and other information in one well-protected place. Either way, keep good lists of login information for email accounts, cloud and photo storage, social media, utilities, phones, and online subscriptions.

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Over the years, we have seen numerous estate settlements and worked with many beneficiaries. Our best advice, if you have a good relationship with your children, heirs, or other loved ones who will be managing your affairs, is to talk to them early! Discuss what you are planning, get their feedback, and keep them informed. Sometimes these are not easy conversations to have, since most of us do not like thinking about incapacity or death. But planning ahead can save confusion and stress for those you love during an already difficult time.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact us. We are happy to meet with anyone for a free, no-obligation meeting. Call us at 714-738-0220 to schedule a meeting or click here to schedule an introductory call with one of our advisors.