Among Friends

[qualitygal]

NOpe you're my kind of preparer.  If we don't overthink in some of these instances to  be prepared, they come to us for those answers.  They don't think, man, what if SHE wasn't here?  I do that sort of thing too. Not an alarmist, just a preparer.  I'm an oldest born, are you?  Did you use to make lists?  It's all part of my makeup. LOL

Do a list and put in your passwords to your computer.  Just in case.  The PINS suggestion was a good one.

Make sure your phone book is handy and easy to read for someone else.  Your personal phone book.  Yes, get those names on the bank account. Yes, give someone your safe combo.  Extra keys?  Label or give to someone responsible.  

[hayseed00]

My parents did this for us years before they died and it was such a relief for my brother and I when we did their estate.  I feel you are doing the right thing, it will ease the burden on your children.

[AngelPuppy1]

No, it is not macbre.  This is a great idea and will be so helpful for your sons.  Also, I feel this clears your mine as you don't have to worry about this stuff any more knowing that it is all taken care of.  All your important papers should be there - everything that your heirs will need to take care of your death, your finaicial aspects, etc.

[Imaoldhippie]

No not creepy or macabre at all.  All families need to have the "talk".

My mother was opposed to talking about her death, her will and what she wanted to do with everything.

To make a long story short, my brother and I took a loss on her things, money and investments due to a mean step family.  My brother and I were never consulted about what she would wear at her viewing.  The funeral home put pink lipstick and pink fake nails on her.  She hated pink and would have not been caught dead in it. (pun or whatever intended.)  This was because my brother and I were left out of any funeral plans by our evil stepfather.

So my kids do not have to go through any problems if I become incapacitated or when I pass.  I am in the process of setting up a trust fund.  You do not have to be rich to have a trust fund.  I found that out during my moms death.  All papers will be included and done nice and legal.

[Eileen in Virginia]

No, this isn’t macabre, it’s good planning. I do have one caution, however. Be careful of the information you leave that’s easy for others, like cleaning or repair staff, to access. This isn’t a prejudice on my part - more an attempt to remove temptation or the “near occasions of sin”. There’s a lot of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) included in some of the replies above. We go to a lot of trouble to install good antivirus software on our computers and other devices. There’s no point in doing that if the PII data will be readily available on hard copy documents. 

[Still Raining]

Don't forget the mundane.  House cleaning, landscape, gym membership, electric account, gas account, car insurance, Internet, Costco, post office box, Prime, magazines.....

Everything you touch each month needs to be undone.

[house_cat]

@qualitygal

Lists?! Me?! 

Not only am I the Queen of Lists, I'm making one right now with all the great suggestions on this thread!

@KathyM23

Right now, all of our most important stuff is in the safe, in a Ziploc bag labeled "GRAB THIS FIRST".  Living in this land of fires and earthquakes necessitates being forever ready to grab and run. Even so, I want to expand upon that and have something ready for my kids or DH if they should need it.

Side note:  EVERY TIME I fly, I remind my son that my life insurance pays a million dollars if I should die in an accident.... when he gets tired of hearing me he says, "Mom...don't tempt me.  I can make anything look like an accident", lol!

[Cakers3]

There would be nothing worse than leaving survivors without a clue as to where to start when a loved one dies.

We have our folder of info; also scanned and backed up on computer and DS has a copy.  We also have a copy of theirs since we would have custody of grandkids should God fobid somthing happens to DS and DDIL.

It's not creepy at all. 

Having solid wills is a given,too.

[VaBelle35]

The lawyer I used to create my estate documents gave me a binder that outlines all of these things for me to update and keep in a safe place.

It's very important.

If you've ever had a family member or friend pass or become incapacitated unexpectedly, you know what a PITA it is to gather all the stuff needed to help them.

[Bird mama]

You know what else is a good idea to have documented?  This has nothing to do with something catastrophic or final.  More like nice to have on hand.

Prescription drugs and dosing information per person.  If I had a dollar for every time I was asked what medication my husband was on when he needed to be hospitalized.  Honest to Pete, intake would ask, the nurse would then ask, the doctor would ask.

I'd just hand out copies of the word document (the list wasn't THAT long) to each person and say, I'm not repeating myself - add this to the file.