What information should you leave your children?

For younger children, keep the instructions simple #

Work with the adults responsible for the child and the school or care provider. Use language the child can explain back to you. Keep sensitive financial records and passwords outside the child’s contact sheet.

• Which trusted adult to contact first.
• The backup person if the usual adult cannot be reached.
• The household’s agreed emergency communication plan.
• Where the child’s caregiver keeps the current instructions.

For adult children, share a map rather than an unexplained archive #

List the people who can help, where the document index lives and which practical responsibilities may need attention. Explain your sharing preferences and the limits of the role. Organizing information usually does not establish guardianship, ownership or authority on its own; ask an attorney about those questions.

• Primary and backup family contacts.
• Locations of existing legal and financial records.
• Provider and professional contacts.
• Household responsibilities and care routines.
• Where personal letters, photos or other family materials are kept.

Source: National Institute on Aging: Getting your affairs in order

Discuss who maintains the information #

If several adult children are involved, agree on a coordinator and how updates reach the others. Avoid circulating multiple untracked copies of sensitive records. Someone can know where to start without receiving every private detail now.

Include the context you want remembered #

A personal note can explain why a record, tradition or family item matters. Keep informal messages separate from formal planning documents and seek appropriate advice for legal arrangements. Ask your chosen person to locate the starting point and explain the first step before you consider the handoff finished.