Caregiver subscription tool

Emergency & Legacy Binder

The "what happens if I'm not there?" document, organized so any backup caregiver, first responder, or family member can step in and care for your loved one correctly, right away.

This is a personal reference tool, not a legal document. Keep official copies of guardianship, POA, and other legal paperwork with your attorney or in your official records too.
All changes auto-saved

⚡ Quick Start

The 80/20 page. Someone stepping in needs this first, call order, where things are, and what to do immediately.
⏱ Allow 2-3 hours to complete the full binder if all your information is available. No need to do it in one sitting, use the ⚑ flag on any field to mark items to come back to.
🔒Security note: This binder holds pointers, not full sensitive data. Account numbers, SSNs, and passwords should live in a password manager or encrypted file, not here. Write enough to identify each account (institution + last 4 digits), then point to where the full detail lives.
📞 Call order, who to contact first
1
2
3
📁 Where physical & digital records live
⚑ Open item — needs attention
⚑ Open item — needs attention
⚑ Open item — needs attention
⚑ Open item — needs attention
🚨 If something happens to the primary organizer
Immediate steps for whoever steps in:
Notify immediate family
Contact attorney (see Legal & Estate section)
Locate will and POA documents
Call employer HR, notify absence, ask about benefits continuation
Contact bank, freeze cards if needed, or ensure bills continue to auto-pay
Ensure care for your loved one continues without interruption (see Disability Support section)
Notify health insurance provider
If applicable, notify SSA about any benefit changes
💰 If money is short, decision ladder
1st Use emergency fund first
2nd Cut discretionary spending immediately
3rd Negotiate with creditors (most will work with you)
4th Lower-cost borrowing (HELOC if available)
Last Retirement account loan, use only if all else fails (tax/penalty risk)

💳 Household Finances

Budget overview, bank accounts, bills. Write enough to identify each account, keep full numbers in your password manager.
🔒Write institution name + last 4 digits only. Full account/routing numbers stay in your encrypted password manager.
💰 Monthly Budget Snapshot
⚑ Open item — build toward 3-6 months
🏦 Bank Accounts
💳 Credit Cards
📅 Bill Calendar, recurring payments

📋 Debts & Loans

Mortgage, auto, personal loans. Note deferment/repayment status changes and any co-signed loans.
🏠 Mortgage
🚗 Auto Loans & Other Loans

🛡️ Insurance

Home, auto, health, life, disability. Note who is covered under which plan and any open decisions.

📈 Retirement & Investments

401k, IRA, brokerage accounts. Note clearly if a single login dashboard also serves as the actual account administrator.
💼 Financial Advisor
⚑ Open item

🏠 Home & Vehicles

Property details, vehicle list, maintenance schedule, driver's license expiration per person.
🏠 Home / Property
🚗 Vehicles
🪪 Driver's License Expiration, per person

📱 Subscriptions & Recurring Services

Utilities, memberships, streaming, toll accounts. Note: if a payment card expires, each service must be updated individually.

💙 Disability Support — Your loved one

This section is the most important in the whole guide. A substitute caregiver, first responder, or family member needs everything here to provide safe, consistent care.
👤 Basic Profile
⚖️ Legal Status, Guardianship / POA / SDM
⚑ Open item
SUCCESSOR CHAIN, primary guardian → backup → second backup
Primary→
Backup→
2nd Backup→
💰 Government Benefits
⚑ Open item
⚑ Open item
⚑ Open item — verify administering state/institution
⚑ Open item
⚑ Critical — adult assessment often needed by age 18 for legal protection
🏥 Medical Team
💊 Medications
Double-check all doses are physiologically correct before finalizing. This is a verification step, not just transcription.
🎓 Behavioral / Vocational Support Programs
☀️ Daily Routine, Letter of Intent style
Written for a substitute caregiver who knows nothing. Be specific. Include what works and what not to do.
🚗 Driving / Employment Status
💌 Legacy Note, parent's message
A personal letter about hopes, values, and wishes for your loved one's future. For the person who takes over care.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Members

One entry per person, ID locations, accounts, career/academic status, and "if something happens to X" checklist.

📞 Contacts Directory

Attorney, financial advisor, insurance agents, all doctors, trusted backup decision-maker, employer HR.

📅 Annual Review Log

This document becomes outdated fast. Log each review. Set a reminder to revisit at least once a year.
Review history
⚑ All open items across binder
No flagged items. Everything looks complete!