A Retire Right Reader Resource

Guarding Your Legacy

A simple checklist to organize your important documents, accounts, and final wishes — so your family always knows where everything is, when it matters most.

Our lives are always moving from one phase to the next — a new job, a home, marriage, kids, retirement — and the paperwork that comes with each stage is easy to lose track of. The Guarding Your Legacy Checklist puts it all in one place. Work through each section, note where each item is kept, and share it with the people you trust. It's one of the kindest things you can do for your family.

Important Contacts

Financial Professional 
CPA / Accountant 
Insurance Agent 
Attorney 
Executor of Estate 

GENERAL ITEMS

Social Security card Location 
Passport (and naturalization papers) Location 
Driver's license number and expiration date Location 
Adoption papers Location 
Prenuptial agreement Location 
Divorce or separation papers Location 
Safe deposit box(es) and keys Location 
Safe and combination Location 

INVESTMENT DOCUMENTS

Brokerage account statements Location 
Mutual fund account statements Location 
Annuity account statements Location 
Individual retirement plan statements Location 
Company retirement plan statements Location 
Bearer bonds not held in an account Location 
Alternative investment documents (including K-1s) Location 
Investment club documents / records Location 
529 college savings plan statements Location 
Online securities access information Location 
Documents showing cost basis of securities owned or sold Location 

INSURANCE DOCUMENTS

Life insurance policy documents Location 
Group life policies Location 
Health and accident insurance ID cards and claim records Location 
Mortgage insurance policy Location 
Travel insurance policy Location 
Property and casualty policy documents Location 
Veterans administration insurance papers Location 
Long-term care insurance policy Location 

PERSONAL FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

Appraisals for valuable items Location 
Inventory of valuable items Location 
Buy/sell or partnership agreements Location 
Deferred compensation agreements Location 
Federal / state gift tax returns Location 
Prior years' tax returns Location 
Motor vehicle title and/or registration papers Location 
Lawsuit paperwork or pending legal actions Location 
Promissory notes Location 
Outstanding loans Location 
Mortgage documents Location 
Medical bills / records and prescription plan card Location 
Property and school tax records Location 
Real estate deeds and/or other titles of ownership Location 
Rental and/or lease agreements Location 
Trust documents / agreements Location 

BANK / CREDIT DOCUMENTS

Checking or money market account statements Location 
Checks Location 
Savings accounts Location 
Credit cards and account statements Location 
Credit union account books or statements Location 

EMERGENCY DOCUMENTS

Living will / health care proxy Location 
Durable power of attorney Location 
Financial institution's proprietary power of attorney forms Location 

PAPERWORK FOR FINAL ARRANGEMENTS

Last Will and Testament (do NOT keep in a safe deposit box) Location 
Military discharge papers Location 
Burial instructions Location 
Cemetery plot deed Location 
Prepaid cremation documents Location 
Funeral home preference and information Location 
Charitable donation preferences Location 
Letter of instruction to the executor Location 
Phone number / address of county surrogate court Location 

Questions, or want help completing this? We're glad to walk through it with you.
Capital Wealth · 801.210.2800 · mstevens@capitalwealth.com · capitalwealth.com
1850 W. Ashton Blvd, Suite 175, Lehi, UT 84043

This checklist is for organizational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney and/or tax professional. Insurance services offered through CWA Insurance Services, LLC.