The short answer
An end of life planning checklist covers the legal and money side of getting your affairs in order: a will, a durable power of attorney for finances, an advance directive for health care, a list of accounts and insurance policies, instructions for digital accounts, and your final wishes. Keep it together and tell someone you trust where it is.
Key takeaways
- The core documents are a will, a durable power of attorney for finances, and an advance directive, which usually includes a living will and a health care power of attorney.
- The National Institute on Aging notes that you do not need a lawyer to make an advance directive, though state forms and witness rules vary.
- A list of where your money is, including insurance policies and accounts with named beneficiaries, can help your family find it.
- Beneficiary designations on insurance and accounts generally pass outside your will, so keep them up to date.
- Review your plan at least once a year and after a major life event.
How this differs from a funeral checklist
This checklist is about documents, health care decisions and money: the papers that let someone act for you and help your family settle your affairs. Choices about the service itself, such as burial or cremation and the funeral home, are in our funeral planning checklist. Many people use both.
Checklist part 1: legal documents
- Will. Says who receives your property and names an executor to settle your estate. It can also name a guardian for minor children.
- Durable power of attorney for finances. Names someone to handle money and property if you cannot. "Durable" means it stays in effect if you lose the ability to make decisions.
- Advance directive. Takes effect only if you cannot speak for yourself. It usually includes a living will, which lists the medical treatments you would or would not want, and a health care power of attorney, which names the person (often called a health care proxy) who makes medical decisions for you.
- Living trust (optional). Some people use a trust to manage property during life and pass it at death. An estate planning attorney can explain whether it fits.
- Beneficiary designations. Life insurance, retirement accounts and payable-on-death bank accounts pass to the person named on the account, generally outside the will. Check that each one is current.
State laws, forms and witness or notary rules vary. The National Institute on Aging notes that you do not need a lawyer to make an advance directive, and many states offer free forms. An attorney can help with wills, trusts and powers of attorney.
Checklist part 2: health care wishes
- Talk with your doctor about the decisions you may face and what matters to you.
- Choose a health care proxy and confirm that person is willing to serve.
- Give copies of your advance directive to your proxy, your doctor and your family.
- Decide whether you want to be an organ or tissue donor, and register in your state if so.
- If you are seriously ill, ask your doctor about a medical order such as a POLST, where your state uses one.
Checklist part 3: where the money is
Make a list your family can follow. Include the name of each company, the account or policy number, and where the paperwork is.
- Bank and credit union accounts, including any payable-on-death accounts.
- Retirement accounts and pensions.
- Life insurance and final expense insurance policies, with the beneficiary named on each.
- Social Security and any VA benefits.
- Investment and brokerage accounts.
- Real estate deeds, vehicle titles and mortgage papers.
- Debts: loans, credit cards and who to contact.
- Regular bills and automatic payments.
- Safe deposit box location and who has access.
- Recent tax returns and the name of your tax preparer.
- Contact information for your attorney, financial planner and insurance companies.
If someone cannot find a policy after a death, the NAIC's free Life Insurance Policy Locator can help. See how to find a lost life insurance policy.
Checklist part 4: final expense planning
Final expense planning means deciding how your funeral, burial or cremation and last bills will be paid. Common sources include savings, a payable-on-death account, a life insurance policy you already have, final expense insurance, or a prepaid funeral plan.
To estimate the amount, see funeral costs and try our coverage calculator. For what a policy can help pay for, see what final expense insurance covers. You can also talk with a Licensed Insurance Agent to find out more.
Checklist part 5: digital accounts
- List your email, banking, social media, shopping and subscription accounts.
- Decide how a trusted person can get access, such as through a password manager with an emergency access feature. Avoid writing passwords where others can see them.
- Set up legacy or inactive-account tools where offered. Apple, Google and Facebook each have a way to name someone or choose what happens to an account.
- Note how to unlock your phone and computer.
- Say what you want done with photos, files and online accounts.
- List any online-only accounts that hold money, including cryptocurrency, and how to reach them.
- Mention digital accounts in your will or power of attorney. Many states have laws on who can access a person's digital accounts.
Checklist part 6: personal records and wishes
- Birth certificate, marriage or divorce papers, and military discharge papers (DD-214).
- Social Security and Medicare card details.
- A list of people to notify.
- Care plans for pets.
- Funeral wishes. See the funeral planning checklist.
- Letters or messages for family, if you wish.
Where to keep it all
- Keep the papers together in one place, such as a labeled folder or fireproof box.
- Tell a trusted person where they are and how to get to them.
- If originals are in a safe deposit box, keep copies at home.
- Give copies of your advance directive and powers of attorney to the people named in them.
- Review everything at least once a year, and after a divorce, a move, a death in the family or a major change in health.
Common questions
What documents are needed for end of life planning?
The core documents are a will, a durable power of attorney for finances, and an advance directive, which usually includes a living will and a health care power of attorney. Add a list of accounts and insurance policies, current beneficiary designations, and written funeral wishes.
What is the difference between a living will and a health care power of attorney?
A living will says which medical treatments you would or would not want if you cannot speak for yourself. A health care power of attorney names a person to make medical decisions for you. Many advance directive forms include both.
Do I need a lawyer for an advance directive?
No. The National Institute on Aging notes that a lawyer can help but is not required. Many states offer free forms, and some require witnesses or a notary. A lawyer is often helpful for a will, a trust or a financial power of attorney.
What is final expense planning?
Final expense planning is deciding how your funeral, burial or cremation and last bills will be paid, so your family knows where the money will come from. Options include savings, a payable-on-death account, existing life insurance, final expense insurance or a prepaid funeral plan.
Does a will control my life insurance payout?
Generally no. Life insurance pays the beneficiary named on the policy, not the person named in your will. If no living beneficiary is named, the payout may go to your estate. Check each policy's beneficiary and update it after major life changes.
Should I keep my documents in a safe deposit box?
It can be a secure place for originals, but your family may not be able to open it quickly. Keep copies at home, and do not store the only copy of your advance directive or funeral wishes there.
How do I plan for my digital accounts?
List your accounts, decide how a trusted person can get access, and use legacy contact or inactive account tools where offered. Note how to unlock your devices, and mention digital accounts in your will or power of attorney.
How often should I update my end of life plan?
The National Institute on Aging suggests reviewing your plans at least once a year and when a major life event happens, such as a divorce, a move or a major change in your health.
Sources
- National Institute on Aging: Getting your affairs in order checklist
- National Institute on Aging: Advance directives for health care
- National Institute on Aging: Choosing a health care proxy
- CFPB: Managing someone else's money
- FDIC: Trust accounts, including payable-on-death accounts
- NAIC: Life Insurance Policy Locator
- FTC: Planning your own funeral