This is not really a "survival" topic, but I am guessing that us preparation types do not limit ourselves to preparing to survive. We also prepare to die. So perhaps I can get good advice here. I'm assuming a non-emergency, peacetime situation.

Let's say you have a will that says who gets what. Now you have a house full of junk. How can you organize it to make things easier for the executor?

Also, how do people handle the numerous digital accounts? They include stuff like phone, internet, and power, as well as Amazon Prime, Netflix, email, PayPal, bank, etc. Do you write down all your passwords and send them to the executor? That seems like bad security. Is there a way for the executor to get all your passwords once you pass? (Get it?)

Thanks for your input in advance. Let me know if you find any online resources particularly useful. Extra credit for puns!

I thought this was to be a thread on spiritual preparation.

Jeanette Isabelle

I, indeed, have a houseful of junk. I am trying to assess items and if possible, give them away before my time, or at least, leave a list. it helps to ring the subject up and find out who would cherish which items.

As for the spiritual preparation, I'll pass......(What choice do I have? I certainly won't be able to run anymore)

I don't know if this helps. When Dad died, I got several things, including his old drawing table, which I currently use as a computer desk.

Jeanette Isabelle

I have a will. My wife is to get everything if she’s around to collect. Otherwise, split evenly amongst the not-so-little-any-more Magnets.

I have a Drop Dead Envelope with critical information for online accounts, life insurance, and so on. It needs to be updated.

My will is silent with regard to specific belongings. I’d rather give my things to my children while I’m alive to see them enjoy the gifts. Maybe when I’m older I’ll feel differently about that.

So far I haven't done anything which I really should, having gone through this with other relatives. I'm not wealthy nor do I have any valuable assets that anyone would argue over. If I die before the my mother or siblings I don't think they'd have any trouble dividing my possessions; if I die after them then it won't matter what becomes of my stuff.

Is this an actual paper envelope, or is it some sort of service on the internet? I feel like there must be a way to store encrypted files that, upon the presentation of a death certificate and a will, can be made available to the executor.

If I just leave a file or piece of paper with the passwords, I can see two problems easily. (1) Passwords change. (2) Some accounts may require multi-factor verification.

Like Chaos, I also came to the conclusion that leaving people things is not as good as leaving them memories or giving them things while we're all alive to enjoy said things.

How important is it to have access to the online accounts?

Death certificate works well to cancel things and gain access to the bankaccount (which is handy to find those subscriptions).

I'm even still doubting about a funeral insurer. I'll leave enough to cover that bill, but it might be easier for those that need to take care of it.

"I feel like there must be a way to store encrypted files that, upon the presentation of a death certificate and a will, can be made available to the executor."
Presentation of the death certificate to whom? If to some online service provider....good luck. That will delay probate for many months.
Consider something simple like giving your executor access to a password protected file on onedrive or google drive. BETTER YET, if your executor has a google drive or onedrive, let THEM give you access to the file on their drive.

"My will is silent with regard to specific belongings. I’d rather give my things to my children while I’m alive to see them enjoy the gifts. Maybe when I’m older I’ll feel differently about that."
I think that's great, but please don't die unexpectedly.

Per guidance from a Trust and Estate attorney: my will gives reference to items to be gifted according to tags on the items, or photo's of the item captioned "for xxxx" The Photos file is on the executor's Google drive, password protected, shared to me...so I can modify as I wish.