Planning ahead means preparing specific information and records in advance so that decisions are not made under pressure later. The purpose is to reduce uncertainty and provide peace of mind through clarity.Planning ahead may be done for yourself or for a loved one. In both cases, the preparation required is largely the same.
The information below should be prepared for the individual the planning applies to — whether that is yourself or the loved one you are preparing for.
For those who prefer to organize information on paper, a private, printable preparation worksheet is available at the bottom of this page.
You do not need to complete everything at once. Preparing even part of this information is beneficial.
Prepare the following information for the individual the planning applies to:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Government identification numbers (where applicable)
- Current residential address
- Primary phone number and email address
This information is frequently required and often difficult to locate quickly if not prepared in advance.
List contacts for the individual the planning applies to, in the order they should be contacted.
Include:
- Primary contact (decision-maker)
- Secondary contact (backup)
- Professional contacts, if applicable (executor, lawyer, accountant, physician)
For each contact, record:
- Full name
- Relationship
- Phone number
- Email address
Clear ordering prevents confusion and delays.
Do not move or upload the documents themselves. Instead, record where each document is stored and how authorized access can be obtained if needed.
Access details (such as passwords) should be stored securely elsewhere, not in this record.
Common documents include:
- Will and related estate documents
- Power of attorney or equivalent
- Insurance policies
- Property or lease records
- Identification documents
For each item, note:
- Physical location
- Digital location (e.g., cloud drive, device, folder name)
- How authorized access can be obtained (e.g., password manager, designated person)
This step alone often saves significant time and stress later.
Prepare a simple list of accounts that exist.
Include:
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Insurance providers
- Subscription services
- Any recurring payments
You do not need balances or passwords here — only confirmation that the account exists and where details can be found.
Digital access is often the most difficult area to reconstruct later.
Prepare:
- List of primary email accounts
- List of important online platforms or services
- Where password manager access is stored (if used)
Do not write passwords on this page. The goal is discoverability, not exposure.
Write brief notes that answer common questions others may face.
Examples:
- Who should be informed first
- How information should be shared
- Any instructions that may prevent misunderstanding
Keep notes factual and concise.
Identify items that should not be overlooked, discarded, or mishandled.
This may include:
- Important documents
- Digital files or photographs
- Personal or sentimental items
A short list can prevent irreversible mistakes.
Planning ahead is not a one-time task.
Note:
- Where the most current version of this information is stored
- When it should be reviewed or updated
Even occasional review is sufficient.
Planning ahead does not require:
- Purchasing items
- Making final arrangements
- Predicting timelines
- Sharing information publicly
It is about readiness, not resolution.
- Start with one section
- Store your information in a secure place you trust
- Update as circumstances change
Incomplete preparation is still preparation.
This worksheet is for the individual the planning applies to (yourself or the loved one you are preparing for).
Complete only what is relevant. You may leave sections blank and update over time.
* For best results, this worksheet is intended to be printed from a desktop or laptop computer.