I was the executor for both my parents, and when my brother passed away, I took on his role in the family business.

What I learned from these experiences, is that you need to leave some information to those who'll be your executors and/or default person for whatever you do.

So many people do not have their affairs in order. They don't have a will, they don't know what their insurance will do, and they don't have all their information in one place.

I was lucky that my parents and brother had their PAPERWORK in order, but there were a lot of information that they held in their heads, that I had to spend months and months reconstructing. It would be so helpful if you would write up some notes on where your important documents are, a list of all accounts, loans, insurance policies, etc.

Your heirs and executors will be dealing wtih enough, make it easier for them by having all this information in one place, including passwords for bank accounts, email, etc. And make sure you update it once a year. That's what I've been doing this week, so I thought I'd pass on this advice.

Carolyn