Beneficiary designations. Check the beneficiary designations on your life insurance policies. And be sure you have contingent beneficiaries listed as well. Also check the beneficiaries on your IRAs, 401K, and any TOD accounts you may own.

Guardianship. Assign guardianship for your minor children and your pets in the case of your demise.

Bequeaths. In the event of your untimely death, remember your favorite charities. They will still need funding to do their good works after you are gone.

Power of Attorney for Assets. This is one of the most important documents to have! If you are incapacitated and your spouse contacts me, your financial adviser, to give instructions about your IRA or any other account that you own individually, without Power of Attorney I am unable to act on those instructions. Furthermore, many financial institutions will only honor a Power of Attorney drafted on their own specific forms. So check with all your banks and financial advisors.

Health Care Power of Attorney. Also know as a "Living Will." This document empowers another to make health care decisions for you if you are incapacitated.

Last Will and Testament. If you die with no will or trust you die "intestate" which means the Probate Court will decide what happens to all your property with no input or direction from you. At the very least, you should have a will. A will does not enable your estate will not escape probate, but it does tell the probate court your wishes. While there are a number of popular websites touting do it yourself wills, it is our opinion that a will should be prepared by a qualified attorney.

Revocable Living Trust. Most of the people we deal with have found they prefer a Revocable Living Trust as it is more comprehensive than a will and, if properly drafted and funded, can avoid probate entirely. Again, a Trust should be drafted by a qualified attorney or trust company. If you employ a Revocable living Trust, be sure to get all your titled assets into it. This is known as "funding" the trust. HCPOA and POA are often included with a will in a package offered by your attorney. These documents are typically a part of your RLT as well.

Contact Information.  Make a list of all your professional advisors and their contact information and be sure your heirs, survivors, and executors all have copies.

Catalogue.  Make a catalog of the following financial documents and make sure it is available to those people from #8:

1. Bank accounts

2. Investment accounts

3. Life insurance policies

4. Disability insurance policies

5. Long term care policies

6. Homeowners policy

7. Auto policy

8. Umbrella/liability policy

9. Loans

10. Internet passwords