Family Document Readiness Score
Most families are not unprepared everywhere, only in two or three places that happen to matter most. Answer ten questions and see the score, then the small number of gaps worth closing first.
There is a current will
Signed, witnessed and reflecting today's family.
Financial power of attorney exists
Someone can act on money matters during incapacity.
Healthcare directive and proxy exist
Wishes for care, and who speaks for you.
Beneficiary designations are current
Retirement, life insurance, payable-on-death accounts.
Someone knows what accounts exist
Not the passwords, just the list.
Insurance policies are findable
Life, mortgage protection, employer coverage.
Deeds and titles are located
Home, land, vehicles.
Funeral wishes are written down
Burial or cremation at minimum.
Digital access has a plan
Email, phone, cloud, legacy contacts.
Someone knows where all of it is kept
One place, and one person who knows.
Close these first
- Get a will in place. Without one the state decides who inherits.
- Add a financial power of attorney. Without it, families end up in guardianship court.
- Add a healthcare directive and name a proxy, then give copies to the doctor.
Document requirements differ by state, and an out-of-date document can be worse than none.
Have anything important reviewed by an attorney licensed where you live.