You’ve planned and set up your will and named beneficiaries for your life insurance. But do your loved ones know where to find your digital information? It would be best if you had something that tells where to find medical information, legal information and online accounts. You need to set up an ‘In Case of Emergency’ document.
It’s not pleasant to think about your death or if you become medically incapacitated, but one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is to have an open conversation with your family. Tell them your final wishes, who to contact with your estate plan, and where to find the one document that lists all necessary information.
Some people have a sheet of passwords for themselves, but others need to know your personal information if you become ill or pass away. How will your loved ones access your online accounts to pay bills or close accounts? What should they do with your social media? What about important information on your cell phone? Your family will be devastated when you pass away, but this document will help them deal with your personal details.
Your ‘In Case of Emergency’ document can include:
Having this document in hand is the perfect way to start that hard conversation with your family. They don’t want to think of something bad happening to you, and that’s understandable. But they will be very thankful that you have this document ready when needed.
Having your end-of-life information planned and organized will tremendously help those left behind. You can even add this checklist to the documents within your estate plan. Your estate planning attorney will ensure that your will, retirement beneficiaries, and life insurance beneficiaries work together. Your goal is to give your loved ones as much as possible, and we will help with that.
You finished this checklist, now is the perfect time to update your estate plan. We suggest that you review all legal documents every 3 years and make necessary changes.
Our estate planning lawyers can advise you on the best options to help you create your will, power of attorney and all documents within your estate plan. We can also help with your digital information and keep your ‘In Case of Emergency’ document. To talk to a qualified attorney in Chicago, contact the Estate & Probate Legal Group at 630-864-5835.
We serve Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties.
