06/17/2026
Death and taxes are certain. But settling an estate? That can turn into a scavenger hunt.
When someone passes away, the hardest part often isn't the big legal questions — it's the small, hidden things no one knew about:
→ A storage unit nobody knew existed, days from being auctioned
→ Auto-drafted insurance lapsing because the card was canceled at death, then a scramble to reinstate coverage on an empty house
→ A safe deposit box drilled open because the keys were lost
→ Subscriptions billing month after month with no way to shut them off
As our records have gone digital, they can disappear right along with a person's online footprint.
The fix is simpler than you'd think. Alongside a will, power of attorney, and healthcare POA, create a Next of Kin list — a single place that captures your accounts, logins, insurance policies, property, and the location of important documents. Keep it under lock and key, since it'll store passwords and login credentials.
It's one of the kindest things you can do for the people you leave behind.
➡️ Read the full article: https://scottandco.com/blog/avoiding-the-scavenger-hunt-for-your-estate
By: Bill West, CPA - Tax Member of Scott and Company CPAs There are three certainties in life: death, taxes (which explains my career choice), and no rule
