Future Incapacity Planning Checklist

1. Legal & Estate Planning

• Durable Power of Attorney (POA) – Assigns someone to handle financial matters

• Healthcare Power of Attorney (Medical POA) – Assigns someone to make medical decisions

• Advance Healthcare Directive (Living Will) – Outlines medical treatment preferences

• HIPAA Authorization – Allows designated individuals to access your medical records

• Revocable Living Trust (if applicable) – Helps manage assets without probate while the principal is living when a successor trustee is named

• Will & Beneficiary Designations – Ensure assets are distributed according to your wishes

• Digital Legacy Designation – Ensure someone controls smartphones, social media, photos, and other online presence after death

2. Financial & Asset Organization

• List bank accounts, investments, and retirement accounts.

• Ensure beneficiaries on financial accounts and insurance policies are updated.

• Organize and securely store legal and financial documents.

• Set up automatic payments for essential bills and expenses.

• Ensure your appointed financial POA, or successor trustee, has access to necessary accounts, possibly through access to your password manager

3. Healthcare & Long-Term Care Planning

• Choose preferred medical providers and facilities.

• Research and consider long-term care insurance.

• Explore Medicaid planning if long-term care may be needed.

• Discuss care preferences (home care, assisted living, nursing home).

4. Emergency & Communication Plan

• Share plans with family members, legal representatives, and caregivers.

• Create a list of key contacts (family, lawyer, financial advisor, doctors).

• Ensure decision-makers know where to find important documents and can access the password manager

• Create a family password to use if possible emergencies arise

• Review and update documents annually or after major life changes

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