Is writing things down enough?

For information and wishes, it is genuinely valuable. For legal authority, who can decide, who inherits, you need the documents your jurisdiction recognizes.

How do I raise this with my family?

Framing it as practical admin rather than a health conversation tends to land better. Most families are relieved someone started it.

What if I do not have much to leave?

The information and access still matter. Most of the difficulty families face is administrative, not financial.

How to prepare your family before you die

The hardest part for families is rarely grief alone, it is grief combined with not knowing. Where things are, what you wanted, who to call, and whether they are allowed to act. Most of that can be answered in an afternoon, and it is the single kindest piece of administration you can do for the people you love.

The short version

01Write the 'where everything is' pageAccounts, insurers, professionals, property documents, and where the originals are kept.
02Make sure someone can get inPassword manager access, a legacy contact on key services, and a spare key to anything physical.
03Record what you would wantMedical wishes and funeral preferences, in your own words. It does not have to be formal to be a relief.
04Name the decision-makers, and tell themBeing named in a document is not much help if the person finds out too late.
05Simplify what you can nowClose the dormant accounts, consolidate the forgotten pensions, cancel what you no longer use.
06Say the things you want saidA letter to each person is worth more later than any document in this list.

The one-page summary

Banks, cards and where statements arrive
Insurance policies and pensions
Property, vehicles and where the titles or deeds are
Accountant, attorney, financial adviser, doctor
Recurring bills and how they are paid
Where the will and directives are kept

Access matters as much as information

Families are routinely locked out of accounts they know about. A password manager with an emergency contact, legacy contact settings on major platforms, and a written note of how to reach the phone all remove weeks of frustration.

Have the conversation once

It is usually far less awkward than expected, and it works better as a short practical conversation than a grand announcement. Tell them what exists, where it is, and what you would want. That is enough.

Revisit it occasionally

Anything that lists accounts and professionals goes out of date. A quick annual review keeps it useful.

Common questions

Is writing things down enough?: For information and wishes, it is genuinely valuable. For legal authority, who can decide, who inherits, you need the documents your jurisdiction recognizes.
How do I raise this with my family?: Framing it as practical admin rather than a health conversation tends to land better. Most families are relieved someone started it.
What if I do not have much to leave?: The information and access still matter. Most of the difficulty families face is administrative, not financial.

You don't have to hold all of this in your head.

Tell AndWithYou what happened and we'll turn it into a short, prioritized path, and keep track of the rest as things change.

Start planning ahead

Private by default. Free for families to start.