Do your loved ones a favor and organize these important documents so in case something happens to you they can easily make financial decisions and act on your behalf. The Wall Street Journal explains which policies and documents to make accessible.


This is similar to our "in-case-of-emergency everything document" master kit we advocate creating and updating regularly.


The WSJ article includes additional helpful guidelines such as filling out a durable financial power-of-attorney form and healthcare power-of-attorney form so your heirs can make financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf. The article also clears up questions about things like what happens to your bank accounts when you die and they become inactive (they become the property of the state). The graphic is also a useful way to see at a glance what papers you might need to gather and update.

The 25 Documents You Need Before You Die | The Wall Street Journal