The short answer: start end-of-life planning with the documents and a single place to keep them: a will, a power of attorney, and a binder that tells your family where everything is. The if something happens to me binder lists what to include, section by section.
- Legal basics: what is a will, how to make a will, living will and power of attorney forms.
- For the people left behind: estate planning checklist, executor duties, what is probate and an obituary template.
- Getting organized: emergency binder and Swedish death cleaning for sorting belongings.
Our picks for end-of-life planning
Printables
If Something Happens to Me Binder
Accounts, insurance, bills, contacts, documents and your wishes - so your family isn't left guessing.
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Family Peace of Mind Bundle
The If Something Happens to Me binder, Caregiver Organizer, Pet Health Records and Password Log together.
Guides
- If Something Happens to Me Binder: 9-Section Checklist Start hereWhat to put in an 'if something happens to me' binder: 9 sections from IDs and medical info to accounts, insurance and final wishe…
Ideas and how-tos
- Emergency binderHow to make an emergency binder: what a family emergency binder should hold, where to keep it, and free starter pages for contacts…
- Estate planning checklistEstate planning checklist: 6 key documents, 10 steps, who to name, beneficiary forms to check and the 2026 estate tax exemption, o…
- Executor of EstateWhat an executor of estate does, who can serve, a step-by-step executor duties checklist, a typical timeline, executor fees and th…
- Funeral PotatoesFuneral potatoes: cheesy hash brown casserole with sour cream, cheese and crunchy topping, plus oven times, make-ahead tips and po…
- How to Make a WillHow to make a will in 9 steps: what to include, choosing an executor and guardian, witness and signing rules, handwritten wills, c…
- Living WillWhat is a living will? What it covers (CPR, ventilators, tube feeding, comfort care), how it differs from a will, how to make one …
- Medical Power of AttorneyA medical power of attorney names someone to make health decisions if you cannot. How to choose an agent, sign the form and what p…
- Obituary TemplateFree obituary template PDF: a fact worksheet, fill-in-the-blank draft and publishing checklist, plus examples, wording ideas and w…
- Power of Attorney FormWhich power of attorney form you need (durable, general, limited, springing or medical), where to find your state's form and who c…
- Swedish Death CleaningSwedish death cleaning explained: the room-by-room order, a 6-week starter plan, a 10-space checklist and how to organize papers a…
- What Is Probate?What is probate? A plain-English guide to the probate process, how long it takes, what it costs, which assets skip it and how fami…
- What Is a Trust?What is a trust, and do you need one? How a trust works, the main types, revocable vs. irrevocable and living trusts, and how a tr…
- What Is a Will?What is a will? A plain-English explanation of what a will does, the key terms, the types of wills, what happens without one and w…
How to use this page
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ by state, so check forms and requirements locally or with an attorney before signing anything.
These pages sit inside family organization. Our binder printables give you the sections in the checklist above.