Get Your Financial Documents in Order

One Saturday afternoon to make sure your spouse, executor, or future self can find everything that matters.

Identity

• Birth certificate (original)
• Social Security card
• Passport
• Marriage certificate / divorce decree
• Citizenship papers if applicable

Property

• House deed and mortgage payoff statement
• Vehicle titles
• Property tax records

Insurance

• Health insurance cards (current)
• Life insurance policies (with beneficiary names)
• Auto, home, and umbrella policies
• Long-term care policy if you have one

Banking & Investments

• List of every checking, savings, and brokerage account with last 4 digits
• Retirement accounts: 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, pension info
• Beneficiaries listed on every retirement account (most common gap)
• Safe deposit box location, key location, and authorized signers
• Cryptocurrency holdings and recovery phrases (sealed, separate location)

Estate Documents

• Will (with location of original)
• Living will / advance directive
• Healthcare power of attorney
• Financial power of attorney
• Trust documents if applicable

Tax

• Last 7 years of tax returns
• Most recent W-2s, 1099s, K-1s
• Records of major asset purchases (basis matters for capital gains)

Digital

• Password manager: every login, with 2FA backup codes
• Master password stored securely (sealed envelope, lawyer, password manager emergency contact)
• List of subscriptions and recurring charges

Storage

• Fireproof safe at home for daily-needed originals
• Bank safe deposit box for irreplaceable originals
• Encrypted cloud backup of scanned copies
• One trusted person knows where everything is and how to access it

Annual

• Review beneficiaries on every account once a year
• Refresh scanned copies of expired documents