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Important Documents You Need Before You Die
One of the most critical parts to estate planning is reviewing the purpose of essential documents with clients so that they understand what could happen without them. The list below outlines these documents by category, and I recommend you review as a safe-guard but also forward to friends and colleagues.
The Essentials
-An original Will or Revocable Trust is the most important document to keep on file
-Letter of Instruction so that your executor has the names and contact information of your attorneys, accountants and financial advisers
-Durable Financial Power-of-Attorney (without it, no one can make financial decisions on your behalf in the event that you are incapacitated)
Proof of Ownership
-Documentation of Housing and Land Ownership, Cemetery Plots, Vehicles, Stock Certificates and Savings Bonds; any Partnership or Corporate Operating Agreements; and a list of Brokerage and Escrow Mortgage Accounts
-Documents that list Loans you have made to others, since they could be included as assets in an estate
-A list of any Debts you owe to avoid surprising your family
-Most recent three years of Tax Returns
Bank Accounts
-A list of all Accounts and Online Log-In Information for your family so they can notify the bank of your death (If nobody ever takes any more out or puts money in, it becomes a dormant account and then becomes the property of the state)
-List any Safe-Deposit Boxes you own, register your spouse or child's name with the bank and ask them to sign the registration document so they can have access without securing a court order
Health-Care Confidential
-A Durable Health-Care Power-of-Attorney form (Possibly the most important health-care document to fill out in advance, You may also need to fill out an Authorization to Release Protected Healthcare Information form)
-A Living Will detailing your wishes
Life Insurance and Retirement Accounts
-Copies of Life-Insurance Policies are among the most important documents for your family to have.
-Draw up a list of Pensions, Annuities, Individual Retirement Accounts and 401(k)s
(If your heirs don't know about these accounts, they won't be able to lay claim to them, and the money could languish)
Marriage and Divorce
-Ensure your spouse knows where you have stored your Marriage License
-It is important to leave behind the Divorce Judgment and Decree the Stipulation Agreement (These documents lay out child support, alimony and property settlements, and also may list the division of investment and retirement accounts, Include the distribution sheet listing bank-account numbers that accompanied the settlement to avoid disputes about ownership or payments due, Include a copy of the most recent child-support payment order) | 
