For the Individual

Who is named in my will as my personal representative?

Does my family know the location and details of all my personal business affairs, including important personal papers?

Are they prepared to handle the job of settling my estate?

Do they understand, and have the flexibility for, the amount of time needed to handle the administration of my estate?

Will family conflicts arise if I named only one family member to be responsible for completing all the tasks?

Is the person I named as personal representative aware I have done so?



For the Couple

Does my spouse actively participate in the day to day business affairs of our family?

Would he/she be able to take over managing the affairs themselves?

Does he/she know the location of all investments, income sources, and benefits as well as who to contact for assistance?

Will he/she struggle to handle settling my estate during an emotionally difficult time?



For the Personal Representative

Do I understand what is required of me to take care of this task?

Will I be able to devote the time necessary?

Will there be family conflicts if I handle everything?

Do I understand how to search for lost property, process insurance claims, handle liabilities, research all government and other benefits, as well as know who to contact at service providers?

Do I want to have to do this all myself?