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The Family Readiness Standard

25 checks your family should be able to pass

Each check is something your family will need if you get sick or die. Free to use and share.

  • Version 0.1
  • October 2026
  • Not legal advice
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Papers

  1. 1
    Someone besides you knows where your original will is.
  2. 2
    Each bank that would need your power of attorney has it on file.
  3. 3
    Your doctors and your family can find your health care proxy or advance directive.
  4. 4
    Someone you trust knows where your deed, titles and insurance policies are.
  5. 5
    Your family has your lawyer's name and number.

Money

  1. 6
    Someone you trust knows every bank you use and which account pays each bill.
  2. 7
    You checked the beneficiaries on your retirement accounts and life insurance in the last two years.
  3. 8
    Each of your brokerage accounts has a trusted contact on file.
  4. 9
    You've told Social Security who should manage your benefits if you ever need help.
  5. 10
    Your family knows how your pension and other income arrive.
  6. 11
    Someone searched for unclaimed money in your name in the last year.

Health and benefits

  1. 12
    Medicare has your written permission, on form CMS-10106, to talk with someone you choose.
  2. 13
    A current list of your doctors and medications is easy to find.
  3. 14
    Your family knows which insurance cards and plans you have.
  4. 15
    The person you named to speak for you knows your wishes.

Phone and online

  1. 16
    Apple Legacy Contact or Google Inactive Account Manager is set up, if you use them.
  2. 17
    If your password manager offers emergency access, someone you trust has it.
  3. 18
    Your family knows your phone carrier and whose name the account is in.
  4. 19
    Your social media accounts have a legacy contact or a written wish.
  5. 20
    Your plan holds no passwords.

People and practice

  1. 21
    You chose someone to step in and a backup, and both have said yes.
  2. 22
    Each person you chose has a short guide with their first steps.
  3. 23
    You wrote down what you want if you can't decide for yourself.
  4. 24
    You wrote down what you want after you die.
  5. 25
    The people you chose practiced their first steps in the last 12 months.

The Standard checks what's in place. A lawyer in your state can tell you which legal papers you need. Copy and share it freely, with a link back to this page.

We help you put all 25 in place

Then the people you chose try their first steps, and you see what works and what to fix.

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