How to Plan Your Legacy: Basic Guide

Planning your legacy may feel overwhelming, but the basics are simple: gather your key documents, organize important information, and make sure the right people can access it when the time comes. This guide covers the essentials to help you get started.

Why planning matters

Reduces stress for your loved ones

Prevents confusion, delays, and conflicts

Ensures your wishes are followed

Makes it easier for professionals (attorneys, financial planners, executors) to help you efficiently

Step 1: Gather your identification

Start by collecting personal IDs and records for yourself (and your spouse or partner, if applicable):

Driver’s license or state ID

Passport

Social Security card

Birth certificate

Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other relevant legal records

Step 2: Collect insurance information

Make sure you have current copies or account details for:

Life insurance policies

Health insurance cards and policy numbers

Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies

Auto insurance

Any long-term care or disability insurance

Tip: A simple copy of the front page of the policy is often enough to provide proof of coverage and beneficiary information.

Step 3: Document financial accounts

List out your major financial assets and obligations. At this stage, focus on summaries rather than exact balances.

Checking and savings accounts (bank name, account type, last 4 digits)

Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pension)

Investment accounts (brokerage, mutual funds, stocks)

Credit cards and loans (company name, account type, last 4 digits)

Mortgage or home loan details

Step 4: Identify beneficiaries and contacts

Legacy planning is about more than documents—it’s about people. Start by writing down:

Your current beneficiaries for insurance and retirement accounts

Executors or trustees named in your will or trust

Emergency contacts (family, close friends)

Key professionals (attorney, financial advisor, accountant, insurance agent)

Step 5: Organize healthcare directives

Basic healthcare planning ensures your wishes are known if you can’t speak for yourself. Gather:

Advance directive or living will (if you have one)

Healthcare power of attorney (if appointed)

Organ donor card or registration

If you don’t have these yet, note that in your checklist—getting them in place can be part of your next steps.

Step 6: Household and digital basics

Think about everyday items your family will need access to:

Home deed or lease agreement

Vehicle titles or registrations

Utility accounts (water, power, internet)

Tip: Avoid putting passwords directly in plain text. Use a password manager or secure storage tool if possible.

Step 7: Store and share safely

Gathering is only the first step. Keeping everything safe and accessible is just as important.

Use a secure system like Family Harbor to store digital copies and summaries

Share only what’s needed, and only with the people you trust

Review access periodically—remove or update delegates if roles change

Back up digital files and keep one physical folder in a safe location (such as a locked cabinet or safe deposit box)

Step 8: Review regularly

Life changes—so should your plan. Review your legacy information at least once a year or after major events such as:

Marriage or divorce

Birth or adoption of a child

Moving to a new home

Retirement or major financial change

Legacy planning doesn’t need to be complicated. By gathering IDs, insurance, financial summaries, beneficiaries, and healthcare documents, you’ll already be far ahead of most families.

Once you’ve completed these basics, you’ll be ready to move into more advanced planning—covering trusts, tax considerations, legal filings, and how to work with professionals. That’s where the advanced guide comes in.