Getting Your Affairs In Order
A List of Necessary Documents to Prepare
While designed for young adults, this site also supports the families and caregivers who care for them, frequently shouldering the weight of managing their unexpected, complex illnesses and ongoing care.
Over the past 15+ years, we have learned that having Matthew's medical records available at our fingertips, no matter where we are, makes doctor visits and hospitalizations far more efficient. This preparation minimizes confusion, ensures global medical teams have immediate access to Matthew's complex medical history, and guarantees that medications, allergies, and end-of-life wishes are documented well before difficult decisions arise.
Please utilize this guide to streamline your personal and financial affairs. We invite you to use it to bring peace of mind to yourself and your loved ones, and hope it will help you navigate the process of organizing your affairs with ease.
A Note About These Templates
The blank templates below are provided for organizational and informational purposes only — they are not legal or medical advice. Documents marked with an asterisk (*) must be properly executed in accordance with the laws of your state to be legally valid. Please complete these templates and bring them to a licensed attorney in your state for review and proper execution.
Medical Documents
Medical History Summary
A comprehensive snapshot of a patient's health background. Essential for every appointment, emergency room visit, and hospitalization — especially when seeing a new provider or traveling.
Includes
Diagnoses & dates · Treating physicians · Surgical history · Hospitalizations · Implanted devices · Allergies & reactions
Current Medications & Supplements List
A running log of every medication, supplement, and vitamin currently being taken. Prevents dangerous interactions, speeds up intake at every appointment, and is critical in an emergency.
Includes
Prescription medications · Over-the-counter medications · Vitamins & supplements · Dosage & frequency · Prescribing physician · Pharmacy details
Healthcare Proxy / Medical Power of Attorney *
Names a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. One of the most important documents a patient or caregiver can have.
Includes
Designation of healthcare agent · Backup agent designation · Scope of authority · Limitations & special instructions · Effective conditions · Signature, witnesses & notarization block
Must be signed before witnesses and/or a notary public per the laws of your state. Take this completed template to a licensed attorney for proper execution.
Living Will / Advance Directive *
Documents your specific wishes about life-sustaining treatment and end-of-life care so that your medical team and family know exactly what you want — even if you cannot speak for yourself.
Includes
Resuscitation (CPR) wishes · Mechanical ventilation · Artificial nutrition & hydration · Palliative care & comfort preferences · Organ & tissue donation · Signature, witnesses & notarization block
Must be signed before witnesses and/or a notary public per the laws of your state. Take this completed template to a licensed attorney for proper execution.
HIPAA Authorization Form *
Authorizes your healthcare providers to share your protected medical information with the specific people you designate — such as a spouse, parent, or caregiver.
Includes
Patient information · Authorized recipients · Scope of information to be shared · Purpose of disclosure · Expiration date · Right to revoke · Signature block
Must be signed by the patient (or legal guardian). Some providers require their own HIPAA form — ask your provider if they accept a personal authorization or require their own version.
Emergency Contact & Insurance Sheet
A single-page quick-reference card that captures everything a paramedic, ER nurse, or hospital intake team needs in the first five minutes of an emergency.
Includes
Emergency contacts · Health insurance details · Primary & specialist physicians · Current medications summary · Known allergies · Blood type & critical health flags
Legal Documents
Durable Financial Power of Attorney *
Names a trusted person (your "agent") to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated — paying bills, managing accounts, filing taxes, and more. Without this, a court may need to appoint a guardian.
Includes
Designation of financial agent · Scope of financial authority · Banking & real estate powers · Tax & government benefit powers · When authority begins · Notarization block
Must be notarized and, in some states, witnessed. Take this completed template to a licensed attorney in your state for proper drafting and execution.
Last Will & Testament *
Your final legal statement of how you want your assets distributed, who will serve as executor, and — if applicable — who will serve as guardian for minor children.
Includes
Revocation of prior wills · Executor designation · Guardian designation (for minor children) · Specific bequests · Residuary estate distribution · Signature, witnesses & notarization
Must be signed before at least two witnesses in most states. Some states require notarization. Take this completed template to a licensed attorney in your state for proper drafting and execution.
Personal Property Memorandum
An addendum to your Will that lists specific personal items — jewelry, heirlooms, collections, sentimental objects — and names who should receive each one. Can typically be updated without re-executing your Will.
Includes
Detailed item descriptions · Recipient names & relationship · Location of items · Date of memorandum · Signature
Must reference your Will to be valid. Consult your attorney about whether your state allows this document to be amended separately from your Will.
Digital Assets Inventory
A secure record of online accounts, passwords, subscriptions, and digital property. Ensures that loved ones can access — or properly close — accounts after an illness or death.
Includes
Email & social media accounts · Financial & banking logins · Subscription services · Password manager access · Cryptocurrency & digital assets · Devices & PINs · Instructions for each account
Store this document securely — in a locked safe, with your attorney, or in a secure password manager. Do not store it in the cloud unencrypted.
Important Contacts Directory
A master list of every professional — legal, financial, medical, and insurance — whose contact information will be needed by your family or executor when managing your affairs.
Includes
Attorneys · Financial advisors & accountants · Insurance agents · Bank contacts · Employer & HR contacts · Key government contacts · Spiritual & funeral preferences