The best end of life planners in 2026: books, binders, apps and guides compared
The best end of life planners in 2026 compared, with prices seen September 17, 2026: Peter Pauper, Lamorial, Nolo, Nokbox, CLEAR Kit, Everplans and Omliva.
Guides for getting your affairs in order
Practical, sourced answers for the United States: what an executor does, what to do when someone dies, what belongs in a family binder, how to handle online accounts, and how to talk with your parents. Updated as rules and tools change.
Digital legacy checklist: what happens to your online accounts when you die, and how to prepare
A digital estate planning checklist for US families: what happens to email, photos, bank apps and social media when you die, and how to set up legacy tools.
End of life planning checklist: getting your affairs in order, step by step
A plain-English end of life planning checklist: the legal documents to sign, the practical details your family needs, where to keep it all, and when to review.
Executor checklist: what to do, in order, when you settle an estate
Executor checklist for settling a US estate in order: the first 48 hours, first 90 days, the first year, documents to gather, who to notify, common mistakes.
How to find a lost life insurance policy: the NAIC locator and every other route
How to find a lost life insurance policy: the free NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator, MIB's $75 search, state insurance department finders, unclaimed property.
Funeral planning checklist: decisions, costs and what to write down
Funeral planning checklist for planning ahead or arranging one now: FTC Funeral Rule rights, NFDA median costs, prepaid plan risks, VA benefits, what to record.
The "in case I die" binder: what to put in it, section by section
What goes in an in case I die binder: the 17 sections a good one has, what to leave out, paper vs digital, how to keep it updated, and ways to build one.
Nokbox alternatives: paper kits, books, apps and generated guides compared
Nokbox alternatives compared with prices seen September 17, 2026: CLEAR Kit, Savor, Peter Pauper, Lamorial, Nolo, Everplans, free worksheets and Omliva.
How to notify Social Security of a death (and what happens next)
How to notify Social Security of a death: who reports it, the phone number and hours, the month-of-death payment rule, the $255 lump sum and survivor benefits.
Does power of attorney end at death?
Does power of attorney end at death? Yes, financial and healthcare POA end the moment the person dies. Learn what the agent must stop doing and who takes over.
Settling an estate: how probate works, what avoids it, and how long it takes
Settling an estate in the US: what skips probate, the probate steps in plain terms, small-estate shortcuts, timelines, costs, creditor claims and taxes.
How to talk to your parents about their affairs (and what to write down)
How to talk to parents about estate planning without taking over: scripts, a 30-minute first talk, an aging parents documents checklist and warning signs.
What to do when someone dies: a calm, step-by-step checklist
What to do when someone dies, step by step: the first hours, death certificates, funeral rights, Social Security, insurance, credit bureaus, probate and taxes.
Where to keep important documents so your family can find them
Where to keep important documents: which originals matter, what fire safe ratings and fireproof bags really do, the safe deposit box trap, and digital copies.