The process of estate planning extends into incapacity planning is well, so it is important to see a complete picture when you are making preparations for the future. Ultimately the objective is to make sure that things are in place for your family after your passing or in the event that you become unable to handle your affairs.
It is a good idea to discuss all the details with an experienced estate planning attorney so that you don’t overlook anything. Nobody is going to overlook something like the execution of a last will or a living trust to direct future asset transfers, but there are some finer details to take into consideration as well.
With this in mind you would do well to ask yourself about practical things your representative must know about if you were to pass away or become unable to communicate. This would include your financial accounts, your creditors and when payments are due, your tax information, access to your online accounts, etc.
There are also physical items that may be relevant such as keys to vehicles or real property. Maintenance schedules would be another piece of information that your representative would need you to be able to handle your property properly.
Each situation is different and each person will have different details to pass along.
Of course this information is very sensitive, so you must make sure that you are storing it in a safe and secure place. This can actually be the safe deposit box that you may have at your bank. It would also be possible to ask your attorney to place this information in safekeeping.
- Can You Give Inheritances in Advance to Limit Estate Taxes? - August 11, 2026
- Do Trusts Pay Taxes on Capital Gains? - July 9, 2026
- How Does a Trust Differ From a Will? - July 7, 2026
( By appointment only )