What you leave behind
Get your affairs in order
Nobody wants to think about it, which is exactly why it becomes such a burden for the people left behind. Getting your affairs in order isn't morbid — it's one of the kindest, most practical gifts you can leave.
When someone dies, the people who love them are handed grief and a mountain of admin at the same time — hunting for documents, guessing passwords, and wondering what you would have wanted. A little preparation now removes almost all of that. Think of it as one tidy folder that answers the question, "where do I even start?"
What to put in your "in case" folder
- Key documents: will, powers of attorney, advance directive, insurance policies, deeds, and where the originals live.
- Accounts & money: banks, pensions, subscriptions, and how to access them — plus a secured list of passwords.
- People to call: your executor, solicitor, employer, and the handful of names that matter most.
- Your wishes: medical preferences, funeral or celebration notes, and what you'd like to happen.
- The personal things: letters, passwords to photo libraries, who gets what, and anything you'd hate to leave unsaid.
You're not planning to leave. You're making sure that whenever you do, the people you love aren't left guessing.
The gentle, step-by-step version
Before You Go turns this into a calm, do-it-at-your-own-pace guide — so you can get it done a little at a time, without the dread.
Common questions
What documents should I have in order?
The core set: a will, powers of attorney, an advance directive, insurance policies, and a list of key accounts — with someone you trust knowing where to find them.
What's a "legacy drawer" or in-case-of-death file?
One clearly labelled folder, physical or digital, gathering documents, account details, passwords, contacts, and wishes — so nobody has to go on a treasure hunt.
How do I start without it feeling morbid?
Treat it as a gift, not a goodbye. Start with a single page — key contacts and where your documents live — and add to it over time.