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Beneficiary guide Prepare your estate Navigate the loss of a loved one Organize the details Secure your future

Prepare your estate

Preparing for the future is an important way to make sure you and your loved ones have a say in your memorial and in what becomes of your assets. Your plan is just another way to leave a legacy for the ones you love most.

Professionals can help you organize legal and financial paperwork, update your will,  ensure the right people have access to your information and create instructions regarding the distribution of your estate.

  • Wills or trusts

    Wills and trusts are legal instruments that make sure your assets are passed on according to your wishes. Wills are effective after death, while trusts can take care of your assets while you’re still alive. An estate attorney can help guide you through this process.

  • Advanced directives

    Living wills, advanced health care directives and powers of attorney are ways to make sure you have legal documentation or an advocate to make decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to.

  • Beneficiary designations

    Most financial plans let you designate beneficiaries so you know how your assets will be distributed when you die. 

  • Paperwork

    It’s important to make a list of all your legal and financial papers and where they’re kept. Give copies of your documents to your attorney and anyone else entrusted with your estate.

  • Arrangements

    Make advance plans for your funeral or memorial services and let your loved ones know if you’re registered as an organ donor

  • Online accounts

    Take the important first step in protecting your digital footprint by telling a trusted friend or family member how you want to share information. You can set up a legacy contact on social media accounts and share your passwords via a password manager or by recording the information in a notebook to share with someone you trust.

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Please note that this site is intended for reference only and does not provide a complete list of all resources or cover every possible situation you may encounter.

 

Provided content is for overview and informational purposes only and is not intended as tax, legal, fiduciary or investment advice.