The 80/20 page. Someone stepping in needs this first. Call order, where things are, and what to do immediately.
⏱ Allow 2–3 hours to complete the full binder if all your information is available. No need to do it in one sitting — use the ⚑ flag on any field to mark items to come back to. See full section breakdown →
🔒Security note: This binder holds pointers, not full sensitive data. Account numbers, SSNs, and passwords should live in a password manager or encrypted file — not here. Write enough to identify each account (institution + last 4 digits), then point to where the full detail lives. Terms of Service →
📞 Call order — who to contact first
1
2
3
📁 Where physical & digital records live
⚑ Open item — needs attention
⚑ Open item — needs attention
⚑ Open item — needs attention
⚑ Open item — needs attention
🚨 If something happens to the primary organizer
Immediate steps for whoever steps in:
Notify immediate family
Contact attorney (see Legal & Estate section)
Locate will and POA documents
Call employer HR — notify absence, ask about benefits continuation
Contact bank — freeze cards if needed, or ensure bills continue to auto-pay
Ensure care for family member with disability continues without interruption (see Disability Support section)
Notify health insurance provider
If applicable: notify SSA about any benefit changes
💰 If money is short — decision ladder
1st Use emergency fund first
2nd Cut discretionary spending immediately
3rd Negotiate with creditors (most will work with you)
4th Lower-cost borrowing (HELOC if available)
Last Retirement account loan — use only if all else fails (tax/penalty risk)
⚖️ Legal & Estate
Will, POA, healthcare directives, guardianship. Who has authority to make decisions for whom.
📄 Will
⚑ Open item
⚑ Open item
🤝 Power of Attorney
Track per person — note if one-directional (e.g., only one spouse holds POA for the other).
⚑ Open item
⚑ Open item
⚑ Open item — consider making reciprocal
🏥 Healthcare Directives & HIPAA
⚑ Open item
🏦 Trust & Pending Legal Work
⚑ Open item
⚑ Open item
💳 Household Finances
Budget overview, bank accounts, bills. Write enough to identify each account — keep full numbers in your password manager.
🔒Write institution name + last 4 digits only. Full account/routing numbers stay in your encrypted password manager.
💰 Monthly Budget Snapshot
⚑ Open item — build toward 3–6 months
🏦 Bank Accounts
💳 Credit Cards
📅 Bill Calendar — recurring payments
📋 Debts & Loans
Mortgage, auto, personal loans. Note deferment/repayment status changes and any co-signed loans.
🏠 Mortgage
🚗 Auto Loans & Other Loans
🛡️ Insurance
Home, auto, health, life, disability. Note who is covered under which plan and any open decisions.
📈 Retirement & Investments
401k, IRA, brokerage accounts. Note clearly if a single login dashboard also serves as the actual account administrator.
Utilities, memberships, streaming, toll accounts. Note: if a payment card expires, each service must be updated individually.
💙 Disability Support — Person's Name
This section is the most important in the whole guide. A substitute caregiver, first responder, or family member needs everything here to provide safe, consistent care.
👤 Basic Profile
⚖️ Legal Status — Guardianship / POA / SDM
⚑ Open item
SUCCESSOR CHAIN — primary guardian → backup → second backup
Primary→
Backup→
2nd Backup→
💰 Government Benefits
⚑ Open item
⚑ Open item
⚑ Open item — verify administering state/institution
⚑ Open item
⚑ Critical — adult assessment needed by age 18 for legal protection
🏥 Medical Team
💊 Medications
Double-check all doses are physiologically correct before finalizing. This is a verification step, not just transcription.
🎓 Behavioral / Vocational Support Programs
☀️ Daily Routine — Letter of Intent style
Written for a substitute caregiver who knows nothing. Be specific. Include what works and what not to do.
🚗 Driving / Employment Status
💌 Legacy Note — parent's message
A personal letter about hopes, values, and wishes for your person's future. For the person who takes over care.
👨👩👧 Family Members
One section per person — ID locations, accounts, career/academic status, and "if something happens to X" checklist.