End-of-Life Planning
End-of-life planning checklist for families
Updated April 1, 2026 · Editorial policy
End-of-life planning isn't morbid — it's a love letter. The families who do it spend the last weeks of a parent's life with that parent. The families who don't spend those weeks fighting over passwords, hunting for documents, and arguing in hospital waiting rooms. This is the checklist.
1. Legal documents
These are the non-negotiable five:
- Last will and testament — names executor, distributes probate assets, names guardians for minors.
- Durable financial power of attorney — agent for money decisions if incapacitated.
- Healthcare power of attorney (proxy) — agent for medical decisions.
- Living will (advance directive) — wishes for life-sustaining treatment.
- HIPAA release — authorizes named people to access medical info.
2. Healthcare wishes
Beyond the living will, talk through and document:
- DNR / DNI orders — Do Not Resuscitate / Do Not Intubate, signed with a physician.
- POLST or MOLST — Physician/Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, a portable medical order.
- Hospice and palliative care preferences — when (if ever) to switch from curative to comfort care.
- Organ donation — registered with state DMV or organ registry.
3. Beneficiary designations
Many of the largest assets pass by designation, not by will. Audit and update:
- 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Roth IRA — beneficiary on file with the custodian.
- Life insurance — primary and contingent beneficiaries.
- Bank accounts — payable-on-death (POD) designation.
- Brokerage accounts — transfer-on-death (TOD) designation.
- Pension and annuities — survivor election.
4. The master binder
One physical binder (or encrypted digital file) with:
- Originals or copies of all legal documents above.
- List of bank accounts, retirement accounts, and life insurance with account numbers.
- Property deeds, vehicle titles.
- Recent tax returns and Social Security statement.
- Doctors, attorneys, financial advisor, accountant, insurance agents — names and phone numbers.
- Funeral preferences (burial vs. cremation, location, services).
- Letter of intent — non-binding guidance on personal items, family stories, wishes.
5. Digital accounts
The most-missed part of the checklist. Document:
- Email accounts (the master key — most password resets go here).
- Apple ID / Google account / Microsoft account.
- Password manager master password (or sealed envelope with the master).
- Banking and brokerage logins.
- Social media — Facebook, Instagram have legacy contact options.
- Subscription services to cancel.
6. Family communication
Hold a family meeting (in person or video) once the documents are done. Cover: who is executor, who is healthcare agent, where the binder is, what the parent wants for funeral and hospice. Surprises are what breaks families.
Sources
Sandwich is a directory and information site. This page is not legal, medical, or financial advice. For decisions that affect your family, consult a licensed professional in your state.
Frequently asked questions
How often should we update the plan?
Every 3-5 years, and after any major life event — marriage, divorce, death of a beneficiary, diagnosis, move to a new state, or sale of major property.
Do I need a lawyer for all this?
An estate planning attorney is usually worth it for the legal documents, especially if you have a blended family, business, or assets in multiple states. The master binder, beneficiary audit, and digital account inventory you can do yourself.
What's the difference between a living will and a healthcare POA?
A living will is your written wishes about end-of-life treatment. A healthcare POA names a person to make decisions when you can't. You need both.
Where should I keep the original documents?
A fireproof safe at home is preferable to a safe deposit box because banks can be slow to release contents. Tell your executor and healthcare agent where they are.
What is a POLST?
A Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment form. It's a medical order signed by a physician that travels with the patient and tells EMTs and hospitals what care to provide. Most useful for people with serious illness or advanced age.