---
title: Guides for getting your family ready | Plan Before You Die
url: https://planbeforeyoudie.app/guides
source: Plan Before You Die
---

# Guides for getting your family ready

Practical steps, checked against official sources.      [**Tell your family about your plan
A short letter for your kids and easy ways to start.**](https://planbeforeyoudie.app/talk) [**Get ready for a hospital stay
What your family would need, and how to have it ready.**](https://planbeforeyoudie.app/hospital-week) [**Let Medicare talk with your family
Form CMS-10106, step by step.**](https://planbeforeyoudie.app/medicare-form) [**Find unclaimed money
Free searches in your name, or for someone who died.**](https://planbeforeyoudie.app/money-finder)

## Good times to start

Moments when planning comes up anyway.

| When | Moment | One thing to do |
|---|---|---|
| October 15 to December 7 | Medicare open enrollment | Send Medicare [the form that lets it talk to your family](https://planbeforeyoudie.app/medicare-form). |
| Late November | Thanksgiving | Tell your family about your plan. Bring the [talk cards](https://planbeforeyoudie.app/talk). |
| February to April | Tax season | While your tax papers are out, list your accounts. |
| April 16 | National Healthcare Decisions Day | Give your doctor a copy of your health care proxy. |
| After you sign a will or power of attorney | New papers | Tell your family where the original is kept. |