Options for Storing Documents, Information, and Files

Before beginning to discuss the individual steps of your end-of-life plan, it is important to consider where you will be keeping the details. Everything about your life that needs to be attended to after your death must be securely and safely stored so it will be there when your trustee, executor, beneficiaries, or other agents need it. Whether it is physical documents or digital files, it has to be in a place where everything is together, readily accessible, and can remain secure and safe. Finally, organize the information so it is easily understood and can be used effectively.

While all this will certainly make your life easier when managing your assets, it is also a way to make sure your designated agents know where to find this information and how to access it. You can give any designated agents duplicates or backups if you feel it necessary.

It is also important to be aware that some documents, such as your will and advance directives, are not recognized if in digital form. While a digital will can instruct your digital executor what to do with digital accounts after your death, transferable digital assets can only be transferred with a traditional will.