Whether young or old, many people try to avoid thinking about their own death.

At most, we may write a Will and consider that all the provision that needs to be made, but this is often only the start of the preparations that should be made.

Alongside the emotional challenge that your loved ones face with having to work to understand your wishes, improperly organised documents can result in assets being forgotten and unclaimed.

How do I prepare documents for after I die?

The best way to help your loved ones is by creating a folder to be opened in case of death.

By having a folder that contains all relevant information, you can ensure that no confusion enters the probate process and that your estate can be handled efficiently.

Your folder can be physical or digital, depending on your preference, but you should be certain that someone will have access to it after you are gone.

It is also vital that any documents kept inside are up-to-date, as outdated documents may cause the very confusion you are trying to avoid.

What should I include in my in case of death folder?

The in case of death folder needs to have a few important legal documents, but can also feature some more personal items as well.

You may wish to include letters to loved ones if you feel that they would benefit from this, but be aware that any wishes regarding your funeral or estate should be listed separately and kept consistent.

A useful in case of death folder may include:

· Your Will – While your solicitor may have a copy, keeping the most recent version in your folder as well can help to unify the probate process.

· Certificates/licences – Finding important documents can often be challenging, so collating your birth certificate, marriage licence, divorce papers, your children’s birth certificates and any other similar documents can make things easier for your beneficiaries.

· Any life insurance or retirement paperwork – The details of any life insurance should be kept and should feature the policy document, details of any employer death-in-service benefits and also your employer, state and personal pension details.

· Asset details – To help with processing your estate, it is worth collecting the paperwork relating to your assets in one place. This should include the documents and deeds for any land or property you own, as well as any vehicle ownership documents, business ownership agreements, share information or similar documents.

· Income sources – If you have any ongoing sources of income, make sure these are listed with any relevant employee details, particularly ones that your beneficiaries may not be aware of.

· Monthly expenses – Your beneficiaries will need to resolve your monthly expenses, so having a list that includes utilities, rent/mortgage, insurance and subscriptions allows them to close the account or maintain it as required.

· Contact details – There will be a range of people that your beneficiaries will need to speak with after you have died. Providing them with the contact information for your solicitor, your financial adviser and your power of attorney, alongside anyone else you wish to be notified of your death, can help them.

· Digital vaults – If you have any digital accounts, then it is likely that someone will need access to them after you have died, so letting people know what you have and how to access them is important for preventing important documents, such as family photos, from being locked forever behind an unknown password.

· Funeral wishes – Even if these are communicated elsewhere, having them clearly stated in this folder can help with any confusion and ensure your wishes are respected.

Approaching death can be challenging and it is often intimidating to think of all that needs to be done to help your loved ones with their grief.

At Palmers, we help the people of Essex to approach these difficult situations with confidence by providing expert legal support. Speak to our team today for help with the probate process.