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Practical Estate Planning: Organize Your Documents
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 | If I name beneficiaries for my bank accounts, do I have to include them in my will? |  |
Then think about organizing this information in a way that will help your family handle your affairs after your death. You can structure the information any way you like -- even some scribbled notes left in an accessible location are better than nothing -- but if you have the time and energy for it, consider a more thorough approach.
To organize your wishes, plans, and important personal information, you can turn to self-help products, available from Nolo or other publishers. One book, Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To, by Melanie Cullen with Shae Irving (Nolo), offers a comprehensive planner that prompts you to describe the types of information listed above, and more. Nolo's Personal RecordKeeper software allows you to sort, store, and change information quickly and easily. You may want to use a ready-made system like one of these, or design an approach that suits you better. However you choose to organize your affairs, what's most important is that you create a clear, easily accessible system that will light the way for your family and friends.
When you've got everything in order, be sure to store your information in a safe place. You might consider keeping everything in a fireproof metal box, file cabinet, or home safe. Also, be sure to discuss your new records with those closest to you. Your careful work won't help them unless they know where to find important papers when the time comes.
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