Accounts
Start with a high-level inventory. You do not need every login on day one — capture major categories and fill gaps over a few weeks.
- Primary email accounts (work and personal)
- Mobile carrier and Apple ID / Google account
- Bank and credit union online banking
- Investment and retirement portals
- Insurance (health, life, home, auto)
- Employer benefits and pension portals
- Government portals (tax, social security where applicable)
- Utility and telecom online billing
Passwords
Passwords should not live in a spreadsheet on your desktop. Use a password manager and document how heirs can reach it — master password location, emergency access settings, backup codes.
- Identify your password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, etc.)
- Enable emergency access or document recovery path
- List accounts NOT in the manager (legacy logins)
- Store 2FA backup codes separately from the authenticator device
- Note which accounts share the same email for recovery
See how to store passwords for heirs for a full workflow.
Financial services
- Checking and savings institutions with branch contact
- Brokerage and robo-advisor accounts
- Credit cards and payment apps (PayPal, Venmo, Zelle)
- Loans and mortgages with online portals
- Subscription services with auto-pay
- Business accounts if you operate as a freelancer or owner
Why auto-pay matters
After death, unknown subscriptions can drain an estate for months. Listing recurring charges helps heirs cancel services quickly and avoid disputes with card issuers.
Crypto
- Exchanges used (with registered email)
- Hardware or software wallets
- Location of seed phrase storage (not the phrase itself in this list)
- Whether a BIP-39 passphrase is used
- Tax reporting tools tied to crypto activity
- DeFi or staking platforms if applicable
Detailed crypto planning is in our crypto inheritance guide.
Cloud storage
- Google Drive / Photos
- iCloud and Apple Photos
- Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box
- Backup services (Backblaze, etc.)
- NAS or home server remote access
- Note which storage holds legal scans vs. personal files
Personal documents
- Will, trust, and power of attorney (physical location + digital scan)
- Birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decrees
- Property deeds and vehicle titles
- Passport and ID copies
- Medical directives and healthcare proxy
- Pet care instructions and vet records
Emergency contacts
- Estate attorney name and phone
- Accountant or tax preparer
- Financial advisor
- Insurance agent
- Employer HR contact
- Trusted friend or neighbor with spare key
- IT person if you run a business website
Instructions for heirs
Technical access without context creates confusion. Write plain-language instructions: what to do first, what can wait, what must never be deleted immediately.
- Step 1: Secure physical mail and devices; do not factory-reset phones yet
- Step 2: Locate password manager or inheritance vault instructions
- Step 3: Notify banks and employers with death certificate copies
- Step 4: Cancel subscriptions and social accounts per your wishes
- Step 5: Contact attorney before transferring large assets or crypto
| Priority | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate | Stop auto-pay on unused services | Prevent estate drain |
| Week 1 | Access email via documented path | Unlocks most recoveries |
| Week 2 | Work with attorney on financial institutions | Legal compliance |
| Ongoing | Preserve photos and messages | Irreplaceable family history |
Social media