Creating a pack in the event of something happening, does one exist?

isotonic_uk

Hi 

Hoping someone might be able to provide some steer on this. From my recent listening with the Which and Moneybox podcasts, there's been a lot of talk around preparing in the event of death to one partner. It seems an area of big focus at the moment but it seems nearly everyone comes across challenges when this event unfortunately occurs. 

Which got me thinking, I really could do with getting my own affairs in order and whilst we have a will in place, I don't think it's enough. We are only in our early 40s but with a family it's a concern and thinking better late than never to make an improvement on the current state. 

More so, I am thinking about whether something exists to download where I can create like a folder or checklist of some sort, something that in the event of death, either myself or partner have something to work from. One concern I have is our digital identity with online passwords for a huge number of websites for various things, some more important than others. Whilst it's contained in a password manager and there is facility for my wife to access, I think a checklist would be good to help in this circumstance. 

Does anything like this exist? Which would compliment all the affairs need to sort on top of what a will, probate and power of attorney can offer which I assume for this type of stuff doesn't exist but can be equally important. 

Thanks

Auti

I have a box that contains all important papers and a list of online banking accounts that need to be informed - no need for passwords as they would have deaths cert to close accounts. Also a list of websites I use for shopping etc that would need checking/closing including paypal etc. Also social media accounts. This hopefully, with all the other paperwork, info re income and house expenditure (accounts and providers) should help but quite sure I will have forgotten something.

MikeJXE

I have similar

A box containing all important documents

A book listing bank accounts, credit card,  direct debits, standing orders, pensions, everything that needs cancelling when I kick the bucket. 

Nearlyold

There is a "Death checklist" on the main MSE site. Plus quite a few books on Amazon such as https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everything-Simple-Guide-Passing-Easier/dp/1094923028/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=36WI0JIX29M8M&keywords=preparing+for+death&qid=1673638176&sprefix=preparing+for+a+death,aps,100&sr=8-4

serpico100

All of the above in a folder along with the most important thing. The life insurance policy number...

Marcon

Nearlyold said:

There is a "Death checklist" on the main MSE site. 

LInk: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/death-plan/

user1977

In relation to login details, things like bank accounts aren't so much of a problem, as they obviously have procedures for executors getting details without having the deceased's passwords etc.

The more tricky thing are online accounts based abroad - e.g. unless they've changed things recently, I think Google will only let executors do anything with a deceased's account if they go through California probate procedures, and other providers are probably similarly cautious. Which could be a pain if you've got information (or assets) squirrelled away in the cloud.

isotonic_uk

Nearlyold said:

There is a "Death checklist" on the main MSE site. Plus quite a few books on Amazon such as https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everything-Simple-Guide-Passing-Easier/dp/1094923028/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=36WI0JIX29M8M&keywords=preparing+for+death&qid=1673638176&sprefix=preparing+for+a+death,aps,100&sr=8-4

This is fantastic and the sort of thing I was looking for, at least to get me started and think about what to consider. Thank you. There's some great points in here that I would recommend others to read: Death check-list incl. funeral plans, living wills - MSE (moneysavingexpert.com)

I been racking my brain trying to locate something like this on the main MSE site but was looking under wills. Didn't think to write death in the search box!

isotonic_uk

Just another question for the folks who keep a box, how often do you keep it uptodate? Is it a yearly task, more frequent or when something you know substantially changes? 

BooJewels

I actually think this sort of thing come most into its own when dealing with someone else's affairs when acting as their Attorney - whilst they're still alive.  When bereaved, there are various mechanisms with organisations to deal with matters and bereavement departments are generally sensitive and capable and look after matters well - and it's final rather than on-going.  I have not necessarily found the same courtesy when dealing with matters for an incapacitated Donor.  And unfortunately, I've become rather too experienced in both areas in the last couple of years.

If someone is organised and methodical in the way they manage their affairs, it makes it so much easier for someone to take over and act on their behalf.   I've recently acted as Attorney for my late father (and executrice) and currently for his hospitalised big sister - they were polar opposites - his life was an administrative disaster (why did he keep all his bank statements from the 60s?)  and hers couldn't be simpler.

So, whatever mechanism you use, try and set up a system where your spouse - and your children when they're old enough - know where you keep things and what your methodology is for filing and organising things on your computer hard drives and physically.  So at least things can be found.

I've typed up documents with details in and pertinent info like my NI No., NHS No., lists of bank accounts, details of my monthly outgoings and accounts etc for my grown up son and have sat down and explained my hard drive filing system, my filing cabinet and where my passwords are recorded etc. and I've made a diary note to review it all every six months.

But there are still going to be things you won't think of passing on.  My husband died 18 months ago and the administrative side of things were easy enough to sort as we'd been addressing for a while, but I suddenly realised I didn't know how to switch the lounge TV on as he had some complex arrangement with set top boxes and surround sound - it was always his domain.  I still can't find where some things are plugged in and I'll be damned if I know where he's hidden some tools I've needed.

Savvy_Sue

There's also the Age UK Lifebook: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/end-of-life-planning/lifebook/

I confess, I downloaded it but made not a lot more progress ... It seemed quite daunting, but I suppose I should just do a little bit at a time, because anything would be better than nothing.