DIY Early Retirement
What people are doing to get rich and retire early
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Estate Planning

Estate Planning

You need a ‘README When I’m Dead’ file 

Since you have worked so hard to create your financial empire, the last thing you want is for it to be mishandled upon your death. Estate Planning is essential for most people, and should include Healthcare and Incapacity Documents that could take effect when you’re still alive.

Working with a qualified local estate planning professional is the best way to prepare the right documents since many states have different language and rules that can change the meaning of a document.

Additionally, we highly recommend you create a Pointer Document with general information about where you have accounts, who should be contacted, and how to open your password manager when you are gone.

Topics to include in Pointer Document

Estate Pointer Doc with Important Information for (Name(s))

  • Updated mm/dd/yyyy

  • Legal Documents that have been created: Trust, Will, Living Will, Durable POA, etc.

  • Location of ORIGINAL Documents

  • Location of COPIES of Documents

  • Our Contact Information: Emails / Phone Numbers / Address

  • Password Manager Program

  • Important Legal Contacts for Trusts and Incapacity Docs

  • Other Important Business Contacts

  • Trust Fiduciary/Executor

  • Trust Back-Up Fiduciary/Executor

  • Important Family Contacts

  • Life Insurance Policies

  • Banks / Accounts / CDs / TBills

  • Credit / Debit Cards

  • Crypto Accounts

  • Additional Insurance / Retirement / Pension / Funds / Partnerships

  • Mortgages We Have / Lender

Helpful Notes:

  • This will likely end up being several pages

  • We suggest printing a paper copy and keep in a fireproof safe with your other important documents

  • Also, making a digital copy of this on a flash drive and store that in the same or a different fireproof safe and important documents

  • Not sure where to find this information? How to source this information? Keep an eye on your mailbox and email inbox. Often these companies will reach out to you monthly, quarterly, or annually before tax time to give you important information. This can be an easy way to ensure you’ve captured these accounts and company names on your Pointer Document.

Consider different End of Life options

  • Green Burial

  • Cremation and have ashes sent into Outer Space

Additional Resources

Masters in Business Video/Podcast - Jonathan Clements Explains Why Dying is Hard Work https://youtu.be/51LQhy7uo0w?si=gZmIGM4h8PaiW-pj

Being Mortal book by Atul Gawande

Savvy Estate Planning book by James L. Cunningham, Jr.

Learn more about yourself and your lifespan here: https://www.longevityillustrator.org/ or here: https://www.livingto100.com/calculator

Make what you leave behind easier to deal with by working on Swedish Death Cleaning while you’re alive!