{"id":287029,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:20","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/estate\/planning-an-estate\/personal-retirement-accounts-and-your-family.html"},"modified":"2025-09-04T11:24:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T16:24:00","slug":"personal-retirement-accounts-and-your-family","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/planning-an-estate\/personal-retirement-accounts-and-your-family.html","title":{"rendered":"Getting Your Financial House in Order for Your Family and Yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Getting Your Financial House in Order for Your Family and Yourself<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Getting your financial house in order starts with organizing all your financial accounts and liabilities, checking beneficiary designations, obtaining essential legal and estate planning documents, and consulting with experts for guidance when necessary.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you’re reading this article, you probably want to do everything you can to ensure your family is well taken care of when you die. Yet the facts show that only a minority of households create documents to help loved ones deal with financial accounts and other assets.<\/p>\n

What can you do today to make it easier for your family to access updated information about your financial life? Read on to learn how to create order from the uncertainty.<\/p>\n

Finish the Race Strong<\/h2>\n

You’ve done your best to put all the pieces together. But have you taken that last step? Have you communicated with your loved ones about how to access:<\/p>\n