Getting Your Affairs in Order

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If someone had to make sense of your financial matters without your help, would they know what you owned, where you kept your will and insurance policies, or even who you wanted to take care of your pet? Do yourself -- and your family -- a big favor and get organized now.

Preparing and Organizing Essential Documents

12 Simple Steps to an Estate Plan
There's nothing as satisfying as checking off "done" items on a list... and in addition to making you feel good, this checklist will someday make life much easier for your family.
Access to Online Accounts: Helping Your Executor and Loved Ones
Family members can sort through file cabinets for papers, but without account and password information, they'll never find important online records.
Make a Financial Power of Attorney in Your State
Don't forget that you may need someone to take charge of your finances before your death--here's how to grant someone you trust the legal authority to do so.
Get Your Financial Affairs in Order
Eight tasks everyone should do when it's time for organization and estate planning.
Practical Estate Planning: Organize Your Documents
The nitty-gritty of getting things organized. Ready, set, file!
Documents or Other Items You've Locked Away
It happens all the time: family members don't know where valuables are hidden or secured, can't unlock file cabinets, or simply overlook important documents. Help them out by providing information about items you've secured.
Help Your Family Claim Retirement Benefits
It's important to keep good, thorough records of your retirement accounts, so beneficiaries know about them and can claim the funds.
Prepare for Deployment: Get Organized
If you're about to leave on active duty, be sure you've got everything organized for your loved ones.
Disaster-Proofing Your Documents
Earthquakes, hurricanes, fire, flood--wherever you live, some sort of natural disaster could wreak havoc on your records. Here are simple ways to protect what you need to keep safe.
A Plan for Your Digital Legacy
What will happen to your online accounts when you die?
Ethical Wills
Use an ethical will to leave a personal message to your loved ones.

Organ Donation, Funerals and Memorials

Final Arrangements FAQ
An overview of issues to think about and where to get help.
Planning Your Funeral or Memorial Service
The classic lawyer's advice--"get it in writing"--applies here. Your family will appreciate your foresightedness.
Your State's Laws About Planning & Paying for a Funeral
Learn about planning and paying for a funeral in your state.
Green Funerals
Finally, people have more options when it comes to planning that isn't so wasteful of natural resources--and your family's money.
The Prepaid Funeral and Its Perils
Don't let anyone pressure you into paying a lot up front for a "pre-need" funeral contract.
Donating Organs After Death
By authorizing organ or tissue donation, you can truly give the gift of life to someone.
Donating Your Body to Science
Scientific research and medical training rely on donations; here's how you can participate.
How to Write an Obituary
Practical tips for memorializing a life with words.
Home Funeral Laws
If you’re interested in handling final arrangements at home, you’ll need to be aware of the laws that apply.
How to Get a Death Certificate
Death certificates are required by law for multiple purposes

Helpful Resources from Nolo

Get It Together:Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To
Everything you need to bring order to chaos--and make things easier on your family when the time comes.

The Executor's Guide
If you're helping someone get organized and expect to someday serve as executor, here you'll find 10 things that the person you're helping can do now to make your job easier.