There's an old saying that there are only two sure things in life “death and taxes.” And most of us feel as though we have no control over either. Actually we have some control over both. When it comes to taxes, the more you make the more you are likely to owe – unless you know how to utilize your earnings to make more money or pay less. But what about death? Whether it's yours or a loved one's demise would you know what to do first or where to begin? Would you know who to contact and inform of the death? Or where important documents were?

And wouldn't it be better to make it easy for your family should you go first? After all, there may be people you wish to have contacted – you may want to choose who will deliver your eulogy and what music you wish to represent your life. That is why it is important to do the paperwork. Just like a will, a living will and other important legal documents, the Written Contingency Plan can help avoid conflict and the feeling of “what do I do first?” for the ones left behind.

In early 2005, Liz Camp a Certified Financial Advisor spoke at a meeting of the American Business Women's Association and talked about this very subject. She shared her ten tips to contingency planning with the group based upon her own experiences when her father Steve Died. She told the group that although she and her family weren't ready for his death, he was. He had planned his own funeral right down to whom to invite and who he wanted to deliver his eulogy.

Here are some of the items you should consider in your Written Contingency Plan:

1. Make a list of friends and family to notify – include contact information.

2. Make a list of assets and liabilities – such as mortgages, credit cards, property owned, etc.

3. Make a list of your insurance policies including the benefits amounts, and name and contact info of the agent. You can use the Easy-find Documents locator to make your lists. Send an email to heidi@wecai.org and I will send you this chart.

4. In addition to having one in your safety deposit box and with your lawyer, give a copy of your wills to a trusted family member.

5. Document who your attorney is, who has power of attorney and a health care surrogate in the event that someone needs to make life-death decisions on your behalf and invoke your wishes per your Living Will.

6. Document tax returns and where they can be located.

7. Write your own lifetime resume – something which may come in handy during the funeral services, for the obituary, etc.

8. Make a list of the contents of your safe deposit box and include where to find the key. You may also want to put another name on your safe-deposit box otherwise it could be a hassle to quickly get to the contents.

9. Include your memorial wishes. This included how you wish to be buried (cremation, what to be buried in, etc.) What music do you wish to be played, do you have a favorite poem? What clothing do you want to be buried in? When my mother died, she wanted to be buried in a favorite fur coat and a baseball cap a dear friend had given her). We tried to honor those wishes, however when going through her personal effects, could not find the coat. The hat bearing the word “bitch” was easily found as she kept it on her nightstand. My brother and I felt terrible about not being able to honor her wishes completely especially when we finally found the coat two weeks later.

10. Make a list of charitable donations and where you would like any monies to go should people wish to contribute in your memory.

Death is very sad and difficult on those left behind. When the inevitable happens, will you be prepared?