Here's a question I ask on almost every call: if you were in hospital tomorrow and couldn't talk, would your partner know where everything is?

Most people laugh a little, then admit the answer is no. The passwords are in one person's head. The policies are in an old email. The will, if there is one, is "somewhere."

As a mother of four daughters, I think about this a lot. Protection isn't only about coverage. It's about making a hard moment simpler for the people you love.

The one-folder checklist

Keep one folder, paper or digital, with these things in it. Tell one or two trusted people where it is.

1. People to call

  • Your insurance agent, financial adviser, CPA and attorney
  • Your employer's HR or benefits contact
  • Who should be told first, and who can help with the kids

2. Protection

  • Every life, disability, illness and long-term care policy, including coverage through work
  • Who the beneficiaries are, and the date you last checked them
  • Home, auto and umbrella policies

3. Money

  • A list of bank, retirement and investment accounts (the institution and type, not the passwords written on paper)
  • Monthly bills and how they're paid
  • Any debts: mortgage, car loans, credit cards

4. Wishes

  • Will or trust, and who holds the original
  • Guardianship choices for your children
  • Health care directive and power of attorney

5. Access

  • How your family can get into your phone, email and password manager if needed
  • Where important documents and keys are kept
Keep it safe: store sensitive details securely, such as in a password manager with emergency access or a locked file, and never send them by text or email.

Check it once a year

Pick a date you'll remember, like a birthday or the start of the school year, and update the folder. New baby, new job, new home? Check your beneficiaries too. It's one of the most common things people forget.

The scorecard includes an area called Legacy & Being Organised. It's a quick way to see how ready your family really is.

This post is general education, not financial, tax, legal or investment advice, and not a recommendation of any product. Insurance products are offered only in states where the agent is licensed and are subject to underwriting. Talk to your own tax adviser about your situation. Related: Family protection