YOUR PLAN · CHECKLIST BUILDER

Write the playbook your family will actually follow.

Start with a template, then make it yours. Assign tasks to specific people. Add notes in plain English. Sam and Priya will see this when the time comes.

TEMPLATE · FIRST 24 HOURS

"What Sam does first."

✓
Tell the kids in person, together — no phone
My one ask. Use the words you'd use; don't worry about the perfect ones.
FOR · SAM
✓
Call Priya — she'll come within 6 hours
+1 (415) 555-2298 · she's already prepared for this call.
FOR · SAM
○
Don't call the bank or insurance yet. There's no rush.
Nothing financial requires you to act in the first 24 hours. Promise.
REMINDER
○
Call Hiroshi (business partner) — he'll handle Whitfield for 30 days
He has the continuity packet. He'll know what to do without you giving instructions.
FOR · SAM
○
Eat. Sleep if you can. Don't drive long distances.
Marie next door is on the call list — she's been told to drop off food.
REMINDER
○
When you're ready, watch the video I made for you
It's 4:14 long. No rush. It will be in your "My messages" tab.
FOR · SAM
○
Reach out to Yara — she'll handle the friend group
She knows what to text and what not to text. Let her be the messenger.
FOR · SAM
○
Don't post anything on social media for at least 3 days
My social instructions are in the vault. Let Priya handle the public side when you're ready.
REMINDER
8 TASKS · 2 ASSIGNED TO PRIYA · 5 ASSIGNED TO SAM Preview & print

Why this matters

The first week after a loss is when most expensive mistakes happen — not because anyone was careless, but because no one knew what to do first. This is the cheat sheet you wish you'd been handed.

EXAMPLES THAT WORK

  • · "Sell the house. Don't try to keep it. I'd rather you be free."
  • · "Keep my Subaru. Let Maya have the Civic when she turns 16."
  • · "Call Marcia at Patel & Reyes before you call any bank."
  • · "Cancel the Studio's New York office lease — Hiroshi will handle it."
  • · "If you ever want to start over, the apartment in Mexico City is paid off."
  • · "Marie next door has the spare keys. Trust her."

Tip from us

The best checklists we see are short, specific, and forgiving. They use names instead of titles ("call Priya" not "call your nearest sibling"). They give permission, not commands. They include at least one task that's about taking care of the person doing the checklist.