My Personal Financial Advisor®
My Final Affairs Guide
For My Executor, Trustee, and Trusted Loved Ones
My Final Affairs guide—often called a Letter of Instruction or End-of-Life organizer—is one of the most caring gifts you can leave your loved ones. Life can change without warning due to illness, accidents, or sudden loss, so creating this guide proactively while you are healthy and clear-headed ensures your wishes are documented and accessible.
By organizing this information in advance, you can make important details easier to access and help your family navigate decisions more efficiently during a difficult time.
This guide is not a legal document and should not be interpreted as having any legal authority. It is intended to serve as a helpful companion to your formal legal documents.
For professional asset management, financial planning, or comprehensive wealth management, click here to learn more.
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My Final Affairs Guide — Preview
My Personal Financial Advisor®
Date: _______________________________
To My Executor/Personal Representative, Trustee, Spouse, Children, and/or Trusted Loved Ones:
This letter is intended to help you handle my affairs efficiently and according to my wishes after my death or incapacitation. It is not a legal will, codicil, or trust amendment — it has no legal binding force — but provides practical guidance, locations, contacts, and personal notes to make things easier during a difficult time.
Personal Information
My full legal name
Date of birth
Place of birth (City, State)
Social Security # (last 4 — verification only)
Legal residence (full address)
Marital status
Spouse / Partner name (if applicable)
1.
Key People to Contact Immediately
Notify these people right away (in this suggested order):
Primary Executor / Trustee — Name
Phone
Email
Relationship
Alternate Executor / Trustee — Name
Phone
Email
Spouse / Partner — Name
Phone
Children / Close Family (Name, Phone)
Attorney — Name
Phone / Email
Financial Advisor / Planner — Name
Phone / Email
Accountant / CPA — Name
Phone
Insurance Agent(s) — life, health, property (Name, Phone)
Clergy / Spiritual Advisor — Name
Phone
Close Friends / Neighbors to notify (Name, Phone)
2.
Funeral, Memorial, and Final Wishes
Prepaid funeral arrangements? (Yes / No)
Details / Location of contract
Preferred funeral home — Name
Phone / Address
Desired type of disposition (Burial / Cremation / Green burial / Other)
Burial / cremation location / preferences
Memorial service details (location, timeframe, religious/secular, music, readings, speakers)
Organ / tissue donation? (Yes / No)
Registry info / card location
Other wishes (e.g., no flowers, donations to charity instead)
3.
Location of Important Documents
Original Will
Trust documents
Advance Health Care Directive / Living Will / POLST
Durable Power of Attorney (Financial)
Birth certificate / Marriage certificate / Divorce decree
Military records / DD-214 (if veteran) — VA benefits contact: 1-800-827-1000
Vehicle titles / Deeds / Mortgage documents
Safe deposit box (Bank, box #, key location, authorized access)
Password manager / Digital access instructions
4.
Financial Accounts and Assets
Include approximate values where known; update regularly.
Bank / Checking / Savings / CDs / Money Market — Account 1
Institution
Account Number
Account Type
Owner(s)
Approx. Value
Location of statements
Account 2
Institution
Account Number
Account Type
Owner(s)
Approx. Value
Location of statements
Investment / Brokerage Accounts
Firm
Account Number
Type (e.g., taxable, IRA)
Approx. Value
Advisor contact (Name, Phone, Email)
Retirement Accounts (IRA, 401(k), Pension, Annuities)
Provider
Account Number
Approx. Value
Beneficiary(ies)
Life Insurance Policies
Insurer
Policy #
Death Benefit
Beneficiary(ies)
Agent contact (Name, Phone)
Real Estate
Primary residence — Address
Deed location
Mortgage lender
Account #
Other property (address, ownership structure, notes)
Vehicles
Make / Model / Year
VIN
Title location
Lienholder (if any)
Other Assets
Business interests, royalties, crypto, collectibles, etc.
Digital Assets
Email, social media, crypto wallets, streaming, cloud storage — accounts / usernames; access method; legacy contacts?
5.
Debts and Liabilities
Credit card — Issuer
Account # (last 4)
Balance (approx.)
Loans / Mortgages (lender, balance, account #)
Other debts (medical, taxes, personal loans, etc.)
6.
Recurring Bills / Subscriptions / Auto-Payments
Utilities / Mortgage / Insurance premiums (payee, account #, auto-pay status)
Streaming / Memberships / Subscriptions (list to cancel or transfer)
7.
Personal Wishes, Sentimental Items, and Messages
Distribution of personal property not in will/trust (items + intended recipients)
Pet care instructions (names, vet contact, who should take them, funding)
Messages to loved ones (personal notes, thanks, advice, or apologies)
Special requests (charity donations, memorials, values to remember)
8.
Pet Care
Complete one section per pet. Duplicate as needed.
Pet 1
Name
Nickname(s)
Species / Breed
Age (approx.)
Date of birth (if known)
Microchip # / ID tags
Identifying features (color, markings, scars)
Caregiver & Funding
Primary caregiver — preferred guardian (Name, Phone, Email, Relationship)
Alternate caregiver #1 (Name, Phone, Email)
Alternate caregiver #2 (Name, Phone, Email — backup if primaries unavailable)
Funding for care (e.g., $X from estate / dedicated pet trust account)
Routine & Diet
Daily routine (feeding schedule, walk times, exercise needs, bedtime routine)
Diet & preferences (brand/type/amount, treats allowed, dietary restrictions)
Medical & Veterinary
Medical history & ongoing needs (conditions, medications, dosage/schedule, allergies)
Primary vet — Clinic / Phone / Address
Emergency vet — Clinic / Phone / 24-hr address
Vaccinations / Medical records location
Behavior & Other Services
Behavioral notes / quirks (anxieties, preferences, separation anxiety tips)
Grooming (groomer name/phone, flea prevention brand/schedule)
Contingency if no caregiver can take pet (rescue org, rehoming wishes; do not euthanize unless medically necessary)
9.
Final Notes
Review and update this document regularly. Consult your attorney for legal questions (California law applies, e.g., community property rules if married). Consult your wealth manager / financial advisor for general questions.
Attorney (Name, Phone) — for legal questions
Financial Advisor (Name, Phone) — for general questions
Certification & Signature
Print, sign, and date this document. Consider notarizing for added assurance (not required). For California residents, note any community property nuances in relevant sections if applicable.
Signature
Your name (print): ___________________________________
Date
Download to fill in by hand or digitally in Adobe Acrobat