If you died, would your finances be clear and documented?

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I’m married and we have some joint accounts etc which obviously DH knows about & can access etc.

But we also have various separate pensions, savings, ISAs, investments in our own names, probably about 15- 20 different accounts? In the past the paperwork would have been in ring binders but is now increasingly online. We each have own laptops/computers. I have no idea what DH’s password is and he probably doesn’t know or remember mine.
If I died suddenly I don’t think he or the executors of the will would know which companies to contact.
So what do people do these days? Provide a list with the will and update it regularly?
Have a sealed envelope with ‘open in the event of my death.

I have a bit of paper in the envelope with my will outlining what accounts I have and with who.

Completely disagree about having banking passwords etc though - for a start it will completely balls up the probate process if your loved ones start logging in and moving money around; and at worst you could be accused of trying to circumvent the probate/inheritance tax process.

I have a list including bank accounts, my Next account, premium bonds, insurance policies etc all with account numbers/usernames that is in an envelope with a copy of my will.
I made DH do the same so if anything ever happens to us, it is easy to find.

I have a list with with my will, of every pension, insurance, all bank accounts, premium bonds etc. They wouldn't need passwords as it would not be legal to access the accounts. The Executors would have to deal with everything properly via the banks.

it hasn't happened but given that it will one day, here's what I think we should all do.

• all regular bills paid from a joint account, so it doesn't freeze when one of you dies
• if you have two cars, 'mirror' them as insurance dies with you and the last thing you want is to find that you aren't insured in the days after a death. If you have one, leave instructions.
• a list of where all the money is for both of you, kept up to date
• a list of passwords each in whatever format works for you. You must know each other's email passwords as that can be used to reset everything.
• wills; and make sure someone else knows that they exist and where they are.
• lasting power of attorney for both health and finance, or at least an advance directive for the former.
• guardianship arrangements if you have dependent children
• arrangements for any pets if they outlive you

'tell us once' is only for government organisations. Most financial organisations have a bereavement department, ask for them when the time comes.

thinking about it, a one-page 'if I die' sheet is worth doing.