The ‘Important Documents’ Checklist Everyone Should Have 

If something happened to you tomorrow, would your family know where to find your important documents?

It’s not something most of us like to think about. But when a family is already dealing with illness, an accident or the loss of a loved one, searching for paperwork can make an already difficult situation even harder.

This checklist outlines the key documents and information most people in Victoria should have organised — and what each one actually does.

1. Your Will
Your Will sets out how you want your estate to be distributed and who will administer it. Make sure your Will is current, your executor understands their role, and someone you trust knows where the original is kept.

2. Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial and Personal)
An Enduring Power of Attorney allows someone you trust to make financial and personal decisions if you lose capacity. It’s important that your chosen attorney understands the responsibility and is willing to act if needed.

3. Medical Treatment Decision Maker & Advance Care Directive
In Victoria, you can appoint a Medical Treatment Decision Maker to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot. An Advance Care Directive can record your values, preferences and instructions for future medical treatment. These documents work alongside your broader estate plan but serve a different purpose from your Will and Enduring Power of Attorney.

4. Superannuation Death Benefit Nominations
Superannuation is not automatically covered by your Will. A valid death benefit nomination helps ensure your superannuation is paid to the person or people you intend. Review your nomination regularly, especially after major life changes such as marriage, separation or divorce.

5. Asset and Account Information
Keep a simple, uptodate record of your property, bank accounts, investments, superannuation, insurance policies, businesses and other significant assets. You don’t need to include passwords — just ensure your trusted person knows where to find what they may need.

6. Letter of Wishes
A Letter of Wishes can sit alongside your Will and provide additional guidance to your executor. It can include personal wishes, practical instructions or information you want your loved ones to know. While not legally binding, it can offer helpful context and direction.

When Should You Review These Documents?
Estate planning documents should be reviewed when your circumstances change — for example, after marriage, separation, divorce, having children, buying property or experiencing a significant change in your finances or family. Even if nothing has changed, it’s worth checking your documents from time to time to ensure they still reflect your wishes.

Good estate planning isn’t just about having the right documents. It’s about making sure they’re current, accessible and understood by the people you trust.