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Prepping for death (Part 1): The legacy protocol

By The SHTF App Team

In preparedness, we plan for power outages and natural disasters, yet we often ignore the one event that is absolutely certain for all of us. Your life is now a hybrid of physical paper and encrypted data. If you don’t have these documents, you have no voice. Strangers in a courtroom will decide who raises your children and who gets your home. It creates a lengthy, expensive, and public process called probate. Planning for your death is not morbid, this is the ultimate act of responsibility and love. A clear legal plan removes immense stress and conflict from your family during their worst moments, allowing them to grieve you rather than fight lawyers.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be considered, legal or financial advice.

The Readiness Audit

Where does your “Final Exit” strategy stand?

  • 🟢 Green: You have a valid Will/Trust, a Financial Map of all assets, and a designated Digital Executor with access to your passwords.
  • 🟡 Yellow: You have a Will from 10 years ago, but your finances are messy, and no one knows your phone passcode.
  • 🔴 Red: You have nothing written down. If you were incapacitated today, your family would be powerless to make medical or financial decisions for you.

If you are Yellow or Red, execute this unified protocol immediately.

Goal: Establish the legal rules of engagement. These documents are your voice when you cannot speak for yourself.

1. Disposing of Your Assets: The Will vs. The Trust

This is the core document that determines how your property is handled after you die. You generally choose between two tools:

Last Will and Testament (“Will”)

A legal document that clearly states your final wishes. A strong will typically does three things:

  • Names an Executor: The person or institution you trust to manage your estate (paying debts, gathering assets).
  • Names Beneficiaries: Where you specify who gets your property, from your house to sentimental heirlooms.
  • Names a Guardian for Minor Children: ⚠️ Critical. You designate the person you trust to raise your children if both parents are deceased.
  • The Trade-off: In many systems, a will must go through probate, a public process that can be time-consuming and costly.

Living Trust (“Trust”)

A legal entity created to “hold” your assets.

  • How it Works: You transfer ownership of your property into the trust while you are alive. You name a successor trustee to take over upon your death.
  • The Trade-off: It is more complex and costly to create initially, but it allows your heirs to skip probate, saving time and money later while offering privacy.

2. Power of Attorney for Finances

This document is for managing your financial affairs while you are alive but unable to do so yourself.

  • Purpose: It grants your “agent” the authority to pay bills, file taxes, and manage investments if you are incapacitated.
  • The “Durable” Feature: ⚠️ Vital. It must be “durable” (or “enduring”) to remain in effect if you become mentally incapacitated. A non-durable power ends exactly when you need it most.

3. Health Care Directives

These make your healthcare wishes known when you cannot communicate.

  • The Decision Maker: You appoint a Health Care Agent (or Proxy) to make medical decisions for you. They must be able to advocate for your wishes under stress.
  • The Living Will: You outline your preferences for end-of-life care, such as the use of ventilators, CPR, or feeding tubes.

Phase 2: The Financial Map (Logistics)

Goal: Create a map so your family isn’t left searching for treasure.

1. The Asset Ledger

Use a spreadsheet or binder to list the Institution Name, Account Number, and Names on Account for:

  • Banking: Checking, Savings, Money Market, and CDs.
  • Investments: Brokerage firms and mutual funds.
  • Retirement: 401(k)s and IRAs. Action: Log in and check your beneficiaries—they override your Will.
  • Real Estate & Vehicles: Addresses for properties and locations of physical deeds, titles, and keys.

2. The Liability Ledger

Your executor needs to stop the bleeding. List Lender Names and Account Numbers for:

  • Mortgages, Home Equity lines, and Vehicle Loans.
  • Credit Cards (include the last four digits).

3. The Insurance Lifeline

List Company Names and Policy Numbers for:

  • Life Insurance, Homeowners, Auto, and Long-Term Care.

Phase 3: The Digital Life (Access)

Goal: Pass the keys to your online world without compromising security.

1. The “Digital Executor” & Password Manager

Designate a tech-savvy person to manage your digital affairs.

  • The Tool: Use a Password Manager (e.g., 1Password, Bitwarden) to consolidate logins.
  • The Transfer: Do not write your Master Password in your binder. Use the “Sealed Envelope” method (stored with your attorney) or the app’s built-in “Emergency Access” features.

2. The Inventory & Wishes

  • Email: Instruct your executor to keep your primary email active for one year to receive bills and alerts.
  • Social Media: Specify if you want accounts (Facebook, X, LinkedIn) memorialized or permanently deleted.
  • Crypto: ⚠️ High Risk. List your exchanges. Explicitly record the physical location of hardware wallets and seed phrases. Without these, the assets are lost forever.

The “Legacy Kit” Checklist

  • The Legal Triad: Valid Will/Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, and Health Care Directives completed.
  • The Guardians: Guardians for minors named and spoken to.
  • The Financial Map: Spreadsheet listing all Assets, Debts, and Insurance policies.
  • The Digital Keys: Password Manager setup with “Emergency Access” or a Sealed Envelope containing the Master Password.
  • The Device PINs: Your phone passcode included in the Sealed Envelope (to bypass 2-Factor Authentication).
  • The Team: Contact info for your Attorney, Accountant, and Financial Advisor listed.

The Scenario Planner (Contingencies)

Murphy’s Law Variation 1: “I have a Will, so I don’t need a Power of Attorney.”

  • The Trap: You get into a car accident and are in a coma. Your Will is useless because you are not dead.
  • The Fix: You need the Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive to handle the “living incapacitation” scenario.

Murphy’s Law Variation 2: “My executor can just use my face to unlock my phone.”

  • The Trap: Biometrics (FaceID/Fingerprint) often fail on deceased individuals, or require a PIN after a restart.
  • The Fix: You must record the alphanumeric Passcode/PIN in your secure instructions. It is the only reliable backdoor.

Next: Read Part 2: It’s Your Funeral to learn about planning your memorial, caring for your dependents, and leaving final messages.