A checklist for finding out which legal and financial papers your parent has, where the originals are, and what’s missing.
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2 pages, ready to print on standard letter paper.
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What’s on it
- Financial power of attorney, health care proxy, living will and HIPAA authorization
- Will, and trust if there is one
- POLST or MOLST, if your parent has a serious illness or advanced frailty
- Social Security advance designation, and a trusted contact at the bank or brokerage
- Who’s named in each, and the backup; where the original is and who has copies
- Questions for the lawyer
How to use it
Fill it in with your parent. Many of these papers can only be signed while your parent can still make the decision, so it’s worth doing early.
Laws and forms vary by state. Take the questions to a lawyer who knows your state’s laws.
Where it comes from
This tool comes from Chapter 7, “The Papers That Matter, and When It's Too Late,” of When Mom or Dad Can No Longer Manage Alone by Mark Duda. The chapter covers the papers that matter, and what happens when it’s too late.
Related reading on this site
- What Is a Power of Attorney? The Word That Decides Whether It Works
- Living will vs. power of attorney
- Advance directives: the deadline nobody sees
- Emergency Information Sheet: a free printable for the refrigerator door
- Medication Schedule: a free printable daily and weekly chart
All 18 tools from the book are on the printable tools page.
The tools may be printed and copied for personal use within your own family. They are not medical, legal or financial advice.