Who to call, where everything is, who can reach what, and what you want. One page that makes the rest findable.
When something happens, your family does not need every document at once. They need to know where to start. One page can tell them who to call first, where the important papers are, who has access to what, and what you want.
It takes twenty minutes to fill in, and it is the page they will open first.
List two or three people in order, with why each one is on the list. The first call might be a spouse, the second a sibling who lives nearby, the third your attorney.
A short reason next to each name, such as "has the spare key" or "holds the power of attorney", tells the family what each person can do.
List who can open what: the person who can get into the house, the one with emergency access to your passwords, the agent under your power of attorney. It stops people from waiting on someone who cannot help.
Families say the hardest part is guessing. A few lines here save arguments later.
Under the federal Funeral Rule, funeral homes must give you an itemized price list, including over the phone. You can buy only what you want.
If your wishes are written somewhere else in more detail, such as in an advance directive or a letter, note where.
This page is not only for after a death. A stroke, an accident or surgery can leave you unable to decide for a while. In that case your family needs different papers.
| Need | Document |
|---|---|
| Someone to make medical decisions | Healthcare power of attorney, sometimes called a healthcare proxy |
| Doctors to share information with family | HIPAA authorization |
| Your wishes about life support | Advance directive or living will |
| Someone to pay bills and manage money | Financial power of attorney |
Write where each signed original is kept, and who holds each role.
Phone numbers change and people move. Look at the page once a year and whenever something big changes, such as a marriage, a divorce, a birth or a move.
The Life Binder ends with an If something happens page: who to call, where everything is, who can reach what, and your wishes.
Download the Life Binder (PDF)Paper goes stale. Hubstone holds the same record and keeps it current, and you choose who sees each page.
General information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Requirements differ by state.