It’s not enough to have a will or trust in place. A thoughtfully drafted plan can still fall apart. This happens if no one can locate key documents for example. Without a clear roadmap for those you leave behind your fiduciary won’t understand the full scope of your financial life. Without a plan for accessing your information and your accounts, there will be burdensome roadblocks for those you leave behind.

Start with a complete and detailed inventory. This means:

• Every account: checking, savings, retirement, investment, HSA, digital wallets, crypto
• Every asset: property, vehicles, business interests, insurance policies, valuables
• Every debt: mortgages, credit cards, personal loans, student loans, medical bills

Keep this list updated and store it securely—but also make sure your fiduciary knows where to find it when the time comes.

You should also keep your login and access information organized. Whether you use a password manager, encrypted file, or handwritten log stored in a safe, this step can make or break the ability of your fiduciary to carry out your plan effectively.

When the time is right—whether you’re incapacitated or deceased—having what they need in place and ready is a gift that spares your loved ones confusion and stress.

If you’d like a free asset and debt inventory template to get started, just email me at hello@serenityatlaw.com.