An “if I die” folder. A little less for your family to figure out.
The name can feel uncomfortable. The task can be surprisingly practical: bring together the instructions that would help someone find their way through the first questions, without having to know everything you know.
An “if I die” folder is a collection of practical instructions, document locations, important contacts and personal wishes. It can be paper or digital. Its purpose is to help people find information; it is not a substitute for legal documents or urgent access arrangements.
01
Put a “start here” note at the front
Explain what the folder contains, when you last reviewed it and who can answer questions. Record where original documents are kept rather than assuming copies are enough for every purpose. If your family needs this note immediately, make sure they already know how to find it.
02
Organise around questions, not file formats
Useful headings include “Who should I contact?”, “Where are the records?”, “What needs attention at home?” and “What are your wishes?”. Keep reference numbers beside the name of the organisation they belong to. Add a brief description to a document so someone can understand why it matters before opening it.
03
Include the small responsibilities
Pet care, recurring household commitments and the location of a spare set of instructions can matter alongside formal paperwork. Write down the details that would be hard to guess. If something needs immediate action, arrange access separately rather than putting it only behind a delayed release.
04
Use OscarOK for the controlled digital part
Free lets you start with written vault items. Plus and Pro support document uploads, and Pro supports personal messages. OscarOK releases information only after a missed check-in, a full 30-day grace period, at least 14 days of warning after required emails are accepted by the provider, and confirmations from two distinct accepted contacts. It does not verify death. A folder that must be opened urgently should not depend solely on this process.
Your starting checklist
A dated “start here” note.
Locations of original documents and key contacts.
An inventory of important records and their providers.
Household, pet-care and recurring responsibility instructions.
Personal wishes, with urgent details available separately.
Who receives each part and when you will review it.
A practical starting point
Copy this folder introduction
“Last reviewed: [date]. Start with [person or document]. Original records are kept at [location]. The entries below explain which organisations to contact and where to find more detail. These instructions describe my arrangements; they do not give permission to access accounts.”
Common questions
Should an “if I die” folder include passwords?
Begin with an account inventory and the location of the provider’s recovery or legacy instructions. Consider your password manager’s own sharing arrangements. Do not assume that knowing a password gives someone permission to use an account.
Can a digital folder replace my will?
OscarOK does not create or replace a will, appoint an executor or transfer assets. Use it to organise information alongside your other arrangements.
OscarOK