What is the Go-To Guide?

The Go-To Guide is a binder of carefully crafted forms you complete with specifics about your estate planning, financial, health care, and household affairs. It is a great everyday reference as well as critical support in an emergency. And when the time comes, it will be an invaluable resource for your loved ones.

How is the Go-To Guide Organized?

The Go-To Guide uses the same organizational structure as the Go-To Files. There are six main subject categories, each with one or more subcategories. Selected subcategories include one or more topics. Everything is color-coded and presented alphabetically.

Categories and Subcategories

  • Family: Basics, Care Providers, Education, Employment, Military

  • Finances: Bank Accounts,Credit, Income Taxes, Investments, Loans/Mortgages, Payments to Others, Retirement, Trust Interests

  • Health: Health Care, Health Insurance, Medical Directives, Medical Records, Prescriptions

  • Home: Home, Insurance, Maintenance, Property Taxes, Utilities

  • Possessions: Digital Assets, Electronics, Furnishings/Valuables, Storage/Safekeeping, Vehicles/Equipment

  • Wills/Estate: Last Wishes, Power of Attorney, Trusts, Will/Living Trust

The heart of the Go-To Guide is the series of Forms provided within each Subcategory, which you will use to summarize and present your key information. In addition, there are Forms for Emergency Information, Emergency Preparation, and Personal Contacts.

The included Go-To Handbook gives you checklists for each category that describe the documents helpful in completing the Forms. It also includes Good-To-Know resource information for each category, as well as guidance on how long to keep records and information on passwords and online security.

How the Go-To Guide helps in an emergency

In an emergency, you will be able to

  • provide account information to report a lost or stolen credit card or respond to fraud alerts.

  • give others what is needed to prevent interruption of household bill-paying.

  • furnish contact information for your medical providers and hospital preference.

  • know details of your health insurance coverage.

  • provide key information to health care providers about prescriptions and health history.

  • provide health care directives to family members and medical personnel.

  • give a house sitter information on how to handle household emergencies and repairs.

How the Go-To Guide helps in your day-to-day affairs

On a day-to-day basis, you will be able to

  • prepare for efficient, cost-effective meetings with financial and legal advisors.

  • better understand your current financial picture and derive a spending plan.

  • share and discuss important financial and household information with other family members.

  • quickly fill out credit card or loan applications or health forms.

  • review your current health, homeowners, vehicle, and liability insurance coverages and compare alternatives.

  • keep on top of recurring payments, due dates, and account changes.

  • have the necessary details at hand what you're working with customer or tech support.

  • review important medical information, including prescriptions and health histories.

How the Go-To Guide will help down the road

After you have passed, others will use it to

  • locate your important documents and access your online accounts.

  • ensure that all of your assets are accounted for.

  • appropriately handle financial liabilities and asset disposition.

  • transfer or close out accounts.

  • notify others of important information.

  • know and honor the way you wish to handle your affairs.

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