Estate planning is not just a financial tool, it's a final act of love.
My loved one just passed. What do I do now?
- What are the funeral plans?
- Where is the will and estate documents
- Where are the life insurance policies?
- Where is the checkbook?
- What bank accounts did they have?
- What investments do they have?
- What are the passwords to the accounts?
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- Who are the key people that need to be contacted?
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- What bills need to be paid while the estate is in Probate?
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- Which bills are paid automatically or manually?
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- Where are the deeds and titles?
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- Who is going to take care of the pets?
- What subscriptions need to be cancelled?
The issue
Losing a loved one is always heart-wrenching. But the emotional toll can be made even worse when the absence of clear estate planning leaves families drowning in confusion. Instead of peacefully mourning, survivors often find themselves sifting through outdated file cabinets, guessing at laptop passwords, and unraveling a web of bills and legal documents.
According to a caring.com survey, 52% of children don’t know where their parents’ estate planning documents are stored. This number isn’t just a statistic; it’s a real obstacle during an already difficult time. Imagine trying to locate a trust document buried in a filing cabinet, while planning a funeral. This will amplify stress, delay asset distribution and can trigger family disputes.
When one thinks of estate planning, they usually think of a will, trust and power of attorneys. However, estate planning goes beyond these legal documents. Your estate plan should also include documenting your bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts and insurance policies.
We can help!
WhatNowPlanning will help you organize all your estate planning documents. We will help you create and update your estate plan by showing you how to consolidate and label your essential documents.
We will provide a Word compatible or fillable PDF estate template that will document this information and will become invaluable to your family instead of searching for account information, searching papers or hunting through filing cabinets. Organizing all this information in one place will allow family to focus on grieving instead of the stress of administrating tasks.
Your plan will help ensure that your wishes are honored and your family is protected from unnecessary stress. Proper estate planning transforms a time of chaos into one of healing, allowing your legacy to speak with compassion, wisdom, and intention.
Benefits for your loved ones:
Peace of Mind: Family members focus on healing, not searching.
Time Saved: Efficient administration of the estate.
Legal Protection: Reduces risk of probate delays or unintended asset distribution.
“Estate planning is not about preparing for death—it’s about preparing to care well for life and legacy. When we take time to plan, we offer our loved ones clarity, comfort, and confidence.”