What My Family Needs If I Die
If you died tomorrow, would your family know where your bank accounts are? Your insurance policies? Your phone passcode? This is the guide no one wants to write — but the one your family will be grateful exists.
This guide covers 55+ items across 9 categories, with plain-English explanations of why each one matters.
Priority Key
🏦 Bank Accounts & Financial
Critical — needed within daysChecking accounts — bank name, account number, branch location
Why it matters: Family needs this to pay bills immediately and access liquid funds.
Savings accounts — all institutions
Why it matters: Multiple banks are common; document each one.
Investment / brokerage accounts
Why it matters: These often require probate or transfer-on-death procedures.
Retirement accounts — 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA
Why it matters: Beneficiary designations on these override your will.
Cryptocurrency — exchange accounts and wallet access
Why it matters: Crypto without access instructions is permanently lost.
PayPal, Venmo, Cash App balances
Why it matters: These can hold significant balances that expire if unclaimed.
Outstanding loans — mortgage, auto, personal, student
Why it matters: Servicers must be notified; some have death & disability insurance.
🛡️ Life Insurance
Critical — needed within daysLife insurance policies — insurer name, policy number, death benefit amount
Why it matters: This is often the single largest payment a family receives.
Employer-provided life insurance — HR contact and enrollment details
Why it matters: Many people forget this exists through their job.
AD&D policies (Accidental Death & Dismemberment)
Why it matters: Often bundled with employer benefits but rarely documented.
Who to call to file a claim — the specific claims phone number
Why it matters: Your family shouldn't have to hunt for this under stress.
📋 Legal Documents
Critical — needed within daysWill — location of the original signed document
Why it matters: Courts often require the physical original, not a copy.
Trust documents — name of trust and successor trustee
Why it matters: Assets held in trust transfer outside of probate.
Power of Attorney — who has authority and for what
Why it matters: POA expires at death; your executor takes over.
Healthcare directive / Living will
Why it matters: Defines your wishes for end-of-life medical decisions.
Beneficiary designations on accounts and policies
Why it matters: These override your will — review them regularly.
Birth certificate, Social Security card, passport
Why it matters: Required for death certificate filings and estate administration.
Marriage or divorce certificates
Why it matters: May be required by Social Security and pension administrators.
💻 Digital Accounts & Phone Access
High — needed within weeksPhone passcode (not the password — the screen unlock PIN/passcode)
Why it matters: Without this, two-factor authentication codes are inaccessible.
Primary email address and recovery method
Why it matters: Email unlocks most other accounts — start here.
Password manager app name and access method
Why it matters: Don't store passwords in your ledger — just tell them where the manager is.
Social media accounts — for memorialization or closure
Why it matters: Facebook, Instagram, and others have memorialization processes.
Cloud storage — Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox
Why it matters: May contain important documents, photos, and files.
Subscription services to cancel
Why it matters: Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, gym memberships, apps.
Domain names or websites you own
Why it matters: These continue billing and may have business value.
🏠 Property & Home
High — needed within weeksHome — mortgage servicer, account number, monthly payment
Why it matters: Payments must continue; servicer must be notified.
Property deed — location of document
Why it matters: Needed to transfer title to heirs.
Homeowners or renters insurance
Why it matters: Policy may pay outstanding claims; agent should be notified.
HOA — account information and contact
Why it matters: Monthly dues continue until ownership transfers.
Storage units — location, unit number, gate code or key
Why it matters: Contents may be auctioned if rent lapses.
Safe deposit boxes — bank, box number, key location
Why it matters: Court orders may be required to access without a key.
Alarm system — company name and disarm code
Why it matters: Prevents false alarms during estate clearing.
🔑 Key Contacts
High — needed within weeksAttorney / estate lawyer — name and phone
Why it matters: Your executor will need to contact them immediately.
Financial advisor — name, firm, and phone
Why it matters: Manages investment accounts and estate transition.
CPA / accountant — for final tax returns
Why it matters: A final tax return is required in the year of death.
Employer HR contact — for benefits, pension, final paycheck
Why it matters: Final wages, accrued PTO, and benefits must be settled.
Insurance agents (each policy)
Why it matters: Claims require direct contact with agents.
Who to notify first — your personal priority list
Why it matters: Gives your family a clear protocol in the first 24 hours.
🏥 Medical Information
Moderate — helpful within monthsCurrent medications and dosages
Why it matters: Refills may be needed for dependents; prescriptions must be stopped properly.
Known allergies — medications and environmental
Why it matters: Important for any emergency medical situations.
Primary care physician — name and contact
Why it matters: May need to sign death certificate or provide records.
Organ donor status
Why it matters: Documented preference ensures wishes are honored.
Healthcare providers — specialists, pharmacy, therapist
Why it matters: Ongoing care for dependents may need to be transferred.
Medicare / Medicaid information
Why it matters: Benefits must be cancelled; overpayments may need to be returned.
🐾 Pets
Moderate — helpful within monthsPet names, breeds, and medical conditions
Why it matters: Caretaker needs this information immediately.
Veterinarian — name, clinic, and phone number
Why it matters: Ongoing medications or appointments must continue.
Preferred caretaker — who should take them
Why it matters: Without this, pets may end up in shelters unnecessarily.
Pet insurance policy (if applicable)
Why it matters: May cover ongoing care costs during transition.
Feeding schedule and any behavioral notes
Why it matters: Reduces stress for pets during ownership transition.
❤️ Funeral & Final Wishes
Immediate — needed within 24–48 hoursBurial or cremation preference
Why it matters: Decisions must be made within 24–48 hours.
Funeral home preference (if any)
Why it matters: Saves family from having to choose under pressure.
Pre-paid funeral arrangements — funeral home and confirmation number
Why it matters: These often include significant pre-payments.
Obituary notes — what you want said about you
Why it matters: A gift to the person who has to write it.
Special messages to loved ones
Why it matters: The most meaningful thing you can leave.
Charitable giving preferences
Why it matters: May be honored in lieu of flowers; may involve estate bequests.
Don't leave your family a search party.
MyLifeLedger covers every category in this guide — guided by voice, organized automatically, and shared securely with the people your family will need to reach.
Start Your Free Ledger →Free to start · 60–90 min setup · Share with family
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents does my family need when I die?
Your family will need: multiple death certificates (request 10–12 copies), your Social Security number, life insurance policy numbers and insurer contact info, bank and investment account information, your will and trust documents, mortgage or lease information, vehicle titles, and contact info for your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor.
Does my family need access to my phone if I die?
Yes — phone access is critical. Your phone likely contains two-factor authentication codes that unlock financial accounts and email. Make sure your family knows your phone passcode (not just your password). Document your primary email address and recovery method — this often unlocks everything else.
What should I do first to prepare?
Start by documenting where your accounts are — not the passwords, just the institutions. Bank name, insurance company, investment firm. Then add your key contacts: attorney, financial advisor, CPA. Then layer in the rest. MyLifeLedger walks you through each category with guided voice prompts. Most families get 80% done in 60–90 minutes.
What happens to subscriptions when I die?
Most subscriptions continue billing until cancelled. Your family will need to cancel Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, gym memberships, apps, and any recurring services. MyLifeLedger includes a digital accounts section specifically for documenting services to cancel.
Do I need a will if I have a digital estate organizer?
You need both — they do different things. A will tells your family who inherits your assets. A digital estate organizer like MyLifeLedger tells them where everything actually is. Without both, beneficiaries named in a will might never find the assets they were left.