Life & Home · Estate Planning
If Something Happened Tomorrow, Would Your Family Know What to Do?
A fill-in checklist you can print or save as a PDF, so your family isn't left guessing where everything is.
Most people have a will, or at least plan to get one. But a will won't tell your kids who insures the house, where the mortgage papers are, or who to call when the furnace quits.
I put this together so all of that is in one place. Fill it out for yourself, or sit down and do it with your mom or dad.
How it works
- Open each section below and fill in what you can. You're writing where things are and who to call, not the private details themselves. For example, "Tax returns are in the grey filing cabinet," not the returns.
- Click Print / save PDF to get a paper copy or a PDF for your own files.
- Keep it somewhere safe and tell someone you trust where it is.
Is my information saved anywhere?
No. Nothing you type is sent to me, to this website or to anyone else. It's only kept in your own web browser so you can come back and finish later. The PDF is made right on your computer too. If you're on a shared or public computer, click Clear when you're done.
Your Family Handover Kit
0 of 8 sections done
This stays on your device. I never see it.
Please don't type passwords, account numbers, your SIN or health card number. Just write where things are kept.
Don't forget the house
Most checklists like this stop at the will and the bank. In my job I see what happens next. Someone still has to look after the house.
- Mortgage, renewal date, property taxes and home insurance
- Utility providers, automatic payments and account contacts
- Furnace, electrical, water shut-offs, septic or well
- Contractors, warranties, keys and maintenance
- What you want done with the house: keep it, rent it or sell it
The first 30 days
Do these right away
- •Make sure the home is secure and someone has keys
- •Tell the home insurer if the house may sit empty
- •Keep the heat, power and water on, and have someone check on the house
- •Look after the kids, the pets, anyone who depends on you
- •Find the will and contact the executor
Get a professional for these
- •Probate and the Estate Administration Tax
- •Final tax returns
- •Transferring or selling the property
- •Closing accounts and splitting things up
Ontario basics
A power of attorney lets someone handle your money, your house or your care if you can't. It generally ends when you pass, and then your will and executor take over. I'm not a lawyer, so for the legal side talk to one. The Ontario government has good pages on this:
Common questions
Is this a legal document?
No. It's just a way to help your family find things. You still need a proper will and powers of attorney, and for that you'll want an Ontario lawyer.
What's the difference between a will and a power of attorney?
A power of attorney is for while you're still alive but can't handle things yourself. It generally ends when you pass. After that, your will and your executor take over.
Is my information stored online?
No. Whatever you type stays on your own phone or computer. I don't see it and neither does anyone else. Print it, or clear it whenever you want.
What shouldn't I write in it?
Don't put in passwords, account numbers, your SIN or health card number. Just write where things are and who to call.
Optional
Want more tools like this?
Every so often I'll email you when I add something new. This is separate from the checklist, so nothing you typed above gets sent.
Related: Sell, rent or stay calculator · What's the home worth?
Next step
Helping a parent downsize or handling an estate home?
Give me a call. I've been doing this full time in Guelph for over 12 years, and I'm happy to talk it through. No pressure.