Getting Started7 min read • Feb 5, 2026
Emergency Binder: What to Include
A family emergency binder (also called an "In Case of Emergency" binder, ICE binder, or family information binder) is a collection of all the critical information your family would need if something happened to you. Here's exactly what to put in it.
👤 Personal Information
- ☐Full legal names (all family members)
- ☐Date of birth & Social Security numbers (stored securely)
- ☐Marriage certificate location
- ☐Birth certificates location
- ☐Passport location
- ☐Driver's license numbers
💰 Financial Accounts
- ☐All bank names & account types
- ☐Investment accounts & advisor contact
- ☐Retirement accounts (401k, IRA)
- ☐Outstanding loans & debts
- ☐Safe deposit box location & key
- ☐Cryptocurrency wallets (if applicable)
🛡️ Insurance
- ☐Life insurance — company, policy number, agent
- ☐Health insurance — plans, ID numbers, provider
- ☐Homeowner's/renter's insurance
- ☐Auto insurance
- ☐Umbrella policy (if any)
- ☐Long-term care or disability (if any)
📋 Legal Documents
- ☐Will — where is it stored?
- ☐Trust documents (if applicable)
- ☐Power of Attorney (financial)
- ☐Healthcare Directive / Living Will
- ☐HIPAA authorization
- ☐Attorney name & contact information
🏠 Property
- ☐Home — deeds, mortgage lender, property tax info
- ☐Vehicles — titles, loan info, registration
- ☐Rental properties (if any)
- ☐Storage units — locations & access codes
📞 Key Contacts
- ☐Estate attorney
- ☐Financial advisor
- ☐CPA / accountant
- ☐Insurance agent
- ☐Employer HR contact
- ☐Close friends to notify
💻 Digital Accounts
- ☐Email accounts
- ☐Social media profiles
- ☐Cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.)
- ☐Subscription services to cancel
- ☐Online banking portals
- ☐Frequent flyer / rewards programs
❤️ Final Wishes
- ☐Funeral preferences (burial vs cremation)
- ☐Pre-paid funeral plan details
- ☐Organ donation preference
- ☐Special messages or letters to family
- ☐Pet care instructions
- ☐Charitable donations or bequests
Why More Families Are Going Digital
A physical binder is a great start — but it has serious limitations. Here's why families are upgrading to digital:
Paper Binder
- ✕ Goes stale when you change banks or move
- ✕ Destroyed by fire, flood, or theft
- ✕ Can't share with family in other states
- ✕ No reminders to update
- ✕ Anyone who finds it can read it
MyLifeLedger (Digital)
- ✓ Update in seconds — always current
- ✓ AES-256 encrypted cloud storage
- ✓ Share securely with remote family
- ✓ Annual reminders to review
- ✓ Password-protected access only
Already have a physical binder? You can switch to digital in about 30 minutes. Or see the full comparison guide.
Related
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