Get Your Shit Together Before After Expanded Checklist

Get Your Shit Together
Before & After

Expanded Checklist
by Chanel Reynolds
www.getyourshittogether.org
[email protected]
GetYourShitTogether.org | © 2013-2021 Chanel Reynolds | Before & After Expanded Checklist

SPEAKER | AUTHOR | ACTIVIST
CHANEL REYNOLDS
Author of What Matters Most
Founder of Get Your Shit Together
Co-founder GYST.com
What Matters Most "Sometimes, we just need to meet the

person in personal finance. Maybe,
About the Book & Get Your Shit Together just maybe, hearing the story of
someone who has been there, in the
Authoritative yet personal, grounded but irreverent, worst possible way, can finally push
Chanel’s work has motivated millions of people us all into action."
worldwide to prepare for life’s major curveballs and - Ron Lieber, The New York Times
offers the candid, approachable, profoundly practical
guide we all need. When her website launched in 2013,
Chanel captured global media attention and the
popularity of Get Your Shit Together led to her debut
book What Matters Most: The Get Your Shit
Together Guide to Wills, Money, Insurance, and
Life’s “What-ifs” (Harper Wave, March 19, 2019)
which draws on her intimate personal experience,
expert advice, and unparalleled resources.
What Matters Most blends intimate narrative with

hard-earned advice and Chanel acts as your personal
guide and expands and provides no-nonsense and no
B.S. practical advice on:
+ Creating legal documents like a will and living will “Chanel Reynolds took her own
+ Updating (or finally getting) a life insurance policy unthinkable tragedy and turned it
+ Keeping track of online accounts and passwords into a rallying cry - the time for
+ Starting or growing an emergency fund keeping your head in the sand is
+ Keeping secure, up-to-date accounts and passwords over.”
+ How to help and what to do after life goes sideways - Caitlin Doughty, bestselling
author of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
CHANEL REYNOLDS
WEBSITE: CHANELREYNOLDS.COM
“These preparations are not only pragmatic acts, but

sacred gifts to our future selves and to those we love
who will survive us. What Matters Most is a
reassuring, step-by-step guide to a better future in
the midst of grief and loss.”
– Katy Butler, author of Knocking on Heaven’s
Door and The Art of Dying Well
“Grief is a monster better confronted without a

legal, financial and logistical mess left behind;
Chanel’s wisdom is a gift to all future dead people
wanting to lift some of the burden of loss off their
surviving loved ones. What Matters Most offers you
the chance to consider, and find, those critical
answers.”
– Rebecca Soffer, coauthor of Modern Loss:
Candid Conversation About Grief. Beginners
Welcome
Praise for Chanel

Conference Keynotes, Talks & Workshops
“Everyone is still raving about your opening keynote, all

the feedback from the conference says you were, by far,
the favorite talk out of the whole event.” – Conference
Organizer, Motion Picture & Television Fund
"Chanel answered our questions and advised us about the

next steps we should all be taking to make sure our loved
ones are not plunged into chaos. It might sound morbid,
but it was actually really fun and inspiring. We signed,
witnessed for each other and the notary stamped them all.
We were done!” – Holly, Seattle WA. Private event
The course, dealing with hard, difficult and dark things,

made these things bearable by the deft, smart and soulful
navigation Chanel brought to the conversation.
When the end of a hard journey is a new tenderness, a
heart full of kindness and a sort of hopefulness for life
grounded in the full acceptance of the full circle of life –
including, even, the more mundane logistics – you know
you have been on a worthy journey indeed. Beautifully
done by a beautiful woman.” – Michael B., Group
workshop participant
“If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart,
it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be
much better to turn your attention to the fact that there’s an
arrow in your heart...” – Pema Chodron
2
START WHERE YOU ARE
Can I change this?

Three things that worry me most are: Y/N
1.
2.
3.
First step to
Three things that will be a relief to know/do/finish: complete this?
1.
2.
3.
3
‘BEFORE’ CHECKLIST: PLANNING AHEAD
WILL
My Will is
____ Done (reviewed and/or updated in the last year)

____ Drafted (actively in progress)
____ Questionnaire complete
____ Must Update (that old one must be ‘around here somewhere’)
____ On My ‘To-Do’ List
Power Of Attorney (POA)
____ Power of Attorney: Executive

____ Power of Attorney: Medical
____ Power of Attorney: Financial
____ Power of Attorney: Digital
____ Power of Attorney: __________
Guardianship/Custody
____ Custody of child(ren) (a permanent and perhaps temporary)

____ Letter with wishes and instructions to Guardians with wishes, values,
etc. (you can also make a video if that feels easier)
____ Note: are there any additional ‘conditions or provisions’ for Custody
(ex. a married couple still be married, stay in the same state, my brother
can’t smoke in the house...)
Pets
____ Custody of Pet(s)
____ Conditions or provisions for Custody (ex. household, walks, etc.)
____ Letter with wishes and instructions to new caretaker/owner with
wishes, instructions, etc.
4
_____ Note: it is important to many people to make sure family pet(s) are
well taken care of, you can leave money specifically for this to a person to
help with the costs on your pet’s behalf - but name a person instead of the
animal as the beneficiary to avoid confusion.
Money/Assets/Stuff
____ Distribution of assets (money, savings, property, jewelry, etc.)

____ How Distributed (lump sum, annual payment, ‘when you graduate’)
____ Debt Instructions
____ Trust (if one set up)
____ Trust (if set up)
Burial, Funeral, Memorial
____ Funeral, Burial, Memorial Wishes Letter (detail and include any pre-
planning you have done, arranged or already paid for)
_____ Note: you can leave very specific information, so if you want to be
buried in that Elvis pantsuit or have ABBAs greatest hits playing – you
should let us know.
Details & Logistics
____ My Will is legally binding (check with your state but often this means
signed in front of 2 witnesses and notarized) and a copy is with:
______________________________________________________
A copy of my Will is located here (digital version or in a safe?):
_____________________________________________________
LIVING WILL/ADVANCE CARE DIRECTIVE
My Living Will is (often completed/updated with your Will):
____ Done (reviewed and/or updated in the last year)

____ Drafted (actively in progress)
____ Questionnaire complete
5
____ Must Update (that old one must be ‘around here somewhere’)
____ On My ‘To-Do’ List
Medical Power of Attorney
____ My Medical power of Attorney (and back-up person) is informed of my

wishes and we have discussed my instructions. (if a Medical POA is listed in
my Will, the names should match to avoid any confusion)
Wishes, Directives and Instructions
____ I have defined what Quality of Life means to me and is included in/with
my legally binding Living Will document.
____ I have written a letter to my doctor to convey any additional

information, wishes, and instructions.
____ I have considered where and how I would like to be cared for if I were
seriously or terminally hurt, ill, or injured discussed this with those closest to
me:
_____ Discussed these wishes friends and family.
_____ Discussed with my Medical POA.
_____ Discussed with my doctor and/or medical team.
____ I have reviewed my options, discussed and written my instructions

about burial or cremation.
____ Discussed and written down the type of funeral or memorial service I
desire.
Details & Logistics
____ My Living Will ill is legally binding (check with your state but often this
means signed in front of 2 witnesses and if not required then encouraged to
have notarized) and a copy is with:
______________________________________________________
A copy of my Living Will is located here (digital version or in a safe?):
6
______________________________________________________
DETAILS
Create a list of your important details and add/edit/delete as you need based on
your life, it is a good idea to update frequently.
____ I have listed my Personal Details out in case of emergency or someone

else needs to retrieve it.
____ I have detailed any products or services I am using that are holding,
saving or storing any documents or details for me:
_____ Online services (i.e. Lastpass, Docusafe, Dropbox, etc.)
1.
2.
3.
____ I have listed a Digital Power of Attorney in my POA document and on

this form: _____________________________________________________.
____ I have updated my account information and passwords to my online

accounts on (date) _____________.
A copy of my details list is located here: ____________________________

and/or (name) __________________________________________has access.
MONEY
7
Goals
____ I have thought over and written down my financial goals.

____ I have considered my personal values and the areas my spending and
saving does (and doesn’t) line up.
____ I have researched tools, advice, resources, etc. to learn skills in the
areas I have less experience to meet my goals.
Budget
____ I have completed a budget and track monthly actual costs to my

budget (income & expenses).
____ I have a plan in place to make steps towards my financial goals.
Savings & Planning
____ I have ______ weeks/months of expenses saved in case of accident or

emergency in an emergency fund located _______________________.
____ I have a short-term savings plan and put away ____% of my income
each month towards financial priorities.
____ I have a long-term savings plan and/or retirement plan where ____% of
my income goes each month.
____ I have reviewed my financial situation and, if necessary, discussed this
with those closest to me.
INSURANCE
Medical, Dental, Vision

____ I have researched my current policy and am informed about new
options or changes that may be in effect Jan. 1.
____ Medical
____ Dental
____ Vision
____ Other health care or savings options
Auto/Home/Rent/Umbrella
____ I have researched my current policies, compared prices and am
informed about new options or updates I wish to make.
8
____ Auto
____ Home/Rent
____ Umbrella
Life, Disability, Long-term Care

____ I have researched my options and compared plans for me and/or my
family.
____ Life Insurance and completed all steps.
____ Short term Disability and completed all steps.
____ Long term Disability and completed all steps.
____ Long term care Insurance and completed all steps.
____ Riders that are options to possibly add to my plan(s).
____ Other types of insurance specific to me/my scenario.
A copy of my policies are located here: __________________.
GETTING MY SHIT TOGETHER
____ I have a plan to get it done.
____ I will spend _______ minutes _________ on my plan per week/month.
____ I will track progress and my to-dos with/by _____________________.
____ I have clear goals to meet by the end of the year.

____ I have clear goals for next year.
____ I will celebrate each accomplishment, large and small.
KEEPING MY SHIT TOGETHER
____ I have discussed and shared my plans, wishes and feelings with those I
care about.
9
____ I have thought about my relationships and how I want to move forward
to resolve any unfinished business.
____ I have reached out to people I have been meaning to (or needing to).
____ I have deeply considered how my life lines up with my values and
priorities, how I am spending my energy, and what I want to do differently to
have the life that is meaningful and important to me.
þ CHECKLIST SUMMARY & TO-DOS
Fill in your to-do items below to update, complete or get stated from the big overview list
above. No need to get overwhelmed, just a few things at a time…
Checklist Action Item Next Step Date to Complete
10
‘AFTER’ CHECKLIST: WHEN THE SHIT HITS THE FAN
RIGHT NOW
____ Are you clear about what the situation is, where you are, why?
____ Are you in a good (enough), safe, or helpful place right now?
____ Does someone know where you are, can come get you, or be with you?
____ Who is with you and/or nearby that you can ask for help right now?
____ Who do you want to have with you that you (or someone else) can call?
____ do you have those phone numbers?
____ can someone locate them and/or make those calls for you?
____ who else is on your ‘needs to be called’ list?
____ Are your Family/Kids/Parents, etc. ok and in a safe place right now?
____ do you need to make a phone call to make any updates, buy time?
____ can someone locate them and/or make those calls for you?
____ Is there anything that you want/need that could help you right now?
WHAT NEXT
____ Do you know what the next few days could/will look like
____ if yes, what is most important to handle/be done the next few days
____ if no, want are the likely if/then scenarios you can try to plan for
____ Are there children or minors that need to be arranged for, where are they?
____ can you locate closest family, grandparents, parent, guardians
____ Get a Notebook or Notepad to start writing down questions and info
____ What do you need/want to know, questions
____ Are there ‘buckets’ or ‘categories’ of things you can group together?
____ Are there items you can ask others to help with, or ‘hand off’?
____ For example, ask for help with:
____ Kids and childcare scheduling, play dates, driving, etc.
____ Insurance claims and policies
____ Logistics for Out of town friends & Family,
11
____ Meal planning, grocery shopping and Food Delivery
____ Household help like laundry, cleaning, helping with pets
____ Money & Financial Planning, benefits, debts & settlements
____ Medical help, researching specialists, care options
____ Legal and Estate management, probate and settling estate
____ Communication Plan, online announcements, emails updates
PAPERWORK: LOCATE & COLLECT
____ Medical & Insurance Policies

____ Call Employer and/or Business contacts (they can often help)
____ Legal Issues & POA (locate Wills and/or Living Wills) contact POAs
____ Financial
____ Executive
____ Medical
____ other
____ Certificates & Documentation
____ Birth certificates
____ Marriage & Divorce
____ Other (Military service, pensions, etc)
SERIOUS ILLNESS OR PREPARING FOR HOSPICE
____ Collect or create important documents (will, living will, POA, DNR, etc.)
____ Complete any missing documents or additional wishes
____ Financial Assistance Options (Disability Insurance or Benefits, etc.)
____ Share documents with family, doctor, hospital, hospice, etc.
____ Wishes and desires (legal documents, letters, conversations)
____ Are there other assets to confirm or collect (safe deposit box, other?)
____ Are there details to document (accounts & passwords, online assets?)
____ Help contact friends and family members
____ If helping, reach out respectfully and offer help or check in
____ If helping, specific advice can be a relief (rather than “call me anytime”)
AFTER SOMEONE DIES
12
____ Notification of the death: if not in a Medical location or a doctor was not
present - notify a Doctor, Police and/or Coroner
____ Organ donation (did they request it, is it possible)
____ Other ‘upon death’ instructions (DNA sampling, science, cryonics)
____ Ask for death certificates (certified copies) you’ll need numerous copies
____ Care of the Body: choosing Cremation, Natural or Traditional Funeral

‘disposition’ Funeral & Memorial planning (any pre-planning or instructions)
____ Is there a living will or letter expressing wishes?
____ Moving the body: to a/your home, funeral home or crematorium, to a
different state)
____ Additional instructions/preferences: embalming options, clothing or
shroud requests, special object(s) to be/remain with the body
____ Invitations/requests to view the body and/or the cremation
____ Professional services to hire (independent funeral director, home funeral

consultant, funeral planning/event service, select a funeral home or mortuary) to
assist with planning, the process and/or funeral or memorial services. Specify:
____ Home options include keeping the body home longer, a home viewing,
wake, memorial and/or funeral
____ Choosing cremation, direct cremation, natural burial, green burial,
burial in a cemetery, family plot/crypt, burial at sea, or others
____ Select a casket, shroud, box, urn, or other, if needed/desired
____ Plan the Wake/Memorial/Funeral/Ceremony and make as personal as any

plans or instructions have requested or as specific as the family desires:
____ List friends/family who can (or would like to) help with the service(s)
____ Write an obituary, ask others to contribute, if desired
____ Invitation list, invites via mail, email and/or other social channels
____ Logistics with out of town guests
____ Photos, music, food or other items to have present
____ Confirm who to ask to speak, a celebrant, stories to share, etc.
____ If helpful, ask a family member or friend to stay at the person’s home
to care for the house, pets, or help with logistics or visitors.
Note: You have more options than you might realize: if you want to have a
home viewing of Uncle Hank in his favorite Elvis jumpsuit, have a green
burial, serve only candy at the memorial and play CCR or ABBA nonstop – if
that is what he and/or the family desire - then by all means Do It!
MANAGING & SETTLING THE ESTATE
13
____ Confirm Executor of Will and get ‘letter of administration’ which confirms the
‘Personal Representative’ who can make decisions for ‘the estate’
____ if no will, Probate process confirms next steps and beneficiaries
____ contact a lawyer if you have any legal questions or concerns
____ Contact Services and Institutions (the “I’m Sorry for Your Loss” calls)
____ Banking (checking, saving, retirement, stocks, etc.)
____ Social Security Office (ask about Survivor benefits)
____ Insurance providers (Life, Auto, Health, etc.)
____ Mortgage, deed & titles to property
____ Debt like loans or credit cards to make arrangements
____ Utilities for home (change name, cancel or make updates)
____ Post Office (forward address or stop mail, etc.)
____ Financial Management of Estate (assets, debts, taxes, trusts, beneficiaries)

____ Confirm instructions in Will for Assets, Trusts, Gifts, etc.
____ Taxes to file and/or estate taxes to be paid
____ Inventory Household items and Digital Assets as needed
____ Collect all insurance policies and named beneficiaries
____ Medical insurance status (continuation needed, COBRA?)
____ Real estate if any property is still/currently lived-in (family, tenants)
____ Inventory outstanding Debts (credit cards, mortgages, etc.)
____ Does the debt(s) need to be paid (confirm before paying)
____ Is the Personal Representative of the Estate held liable
____ Digital Assets and Estate

____ Online Password or Storage services known?
____ Is there a Digital Power of Attorney listed in the Will or POA?
____ Confirm if/who (Spouse, Executor of Will or other) will search online via
sites, emails or other to secure digital assets.
____ The Big Picture: Options, Vulnerabilities, Scenarios & Priorities
COMMUNITY & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
14
____ Remember, grief looks different for everyone, can ‘take longer’ than you think,
come back or appear more like ‘waves’ than clear or linear ‘phases’
____ Put Your Mask on First: Taking care of yourself is a priority
____ Get support for your emotional and mental health
____ be honest about your feelings, talk about it
____ be gentle with yourself, cut yourself a lot of slack
____ plan for ‘triggers’, especially holidays and anniversaries
____ get help, find a counselor, go to a grief support group
15
LIFE GOES SIDEWAYS 1:1 SESSIONS WITH CHANEL REYNOLDS
PRIVATE SESSIONS
A ho of Wha Ma e Mo
Fo nde of Ge Yo Shi Toge he
Co-fo nde GYST.com
Working Toge her Per onali ed S ppor & Pri a e Se ion
Preparing a ill or making estate G S :P T &C P

plans can feel scar , confusing or 90-minute planning session + create todo list ($175).
o er helming, but those tasks are Goal: complete our session ith our plan and
much easier to face hen ou checklist of clear and actionable to-do items.
ha e help.
Working together, our sessions G I D P : 4-W P

ill guide ou through a Weekl 1-hr meeting + eekl task & todo list ($350).
personali ed step-b -step process Week 1: Legal & Estate planning documents
to create and complete the tasks Week 2: Financial planning & Insurance policies
and to-do items most important to Week 3: Organi ing accounts & contact info
ou and our famil and get our Week 4: Finali ing, sa ing & sharing our plan
legal, financial, and emotional
planning priorities done!
C : 3- ,A O P
Three Sessions, 90-minutes each ($450).
Custom and ongoing support, updating tasks and
priorities as needed during monthl meetings and
check-ins ia email.
O H ,U N S ?
1-hr meeting for ad-hoc or general planning ($150).
"THE MOST DIFFICULT
TIMES FOR MANY OF US
ARE THE ONES
WE GIVE OURSELVES."

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Get Your Shit Together

Before & After

GetYourShitTogether.org | © 2013-2021 Chanel Reynolds | Before & After Expanded Checklist

What Matters Most "Sometimes, we just need to meet the

What Matters Most blends intimate narrative with

“These preparations are not only pragmatic acts, but

“Grief is a monster better confronted without a

Praise for Chanel

“Everyone is still raving about your opening keynote, all

"Chanel answered our questions and advised us about the

The course, dealing with hard, difficult and dark things,

GetYourShitTogether.org | © 2013-2021 Chanel Reynolds | Before & After Expanded Checklist

Can I change this?

GetYourShitTogether.org | © 2013-2021 Chanel Reynolds | Before & After Expanded Checklist

____ Done (reviewed and/or updated in the last year)

Power Of Attorney (POA)

____ Power of Attorney: Executive

____ Custody of child(ren) (a permanent and perhaps temporary)

GetYourShitTogether.org | © 2013-2021 Chanel Reynolds | Before & After Expanded Checklist

____ Distribution of assets (money, savings, property, jewelry, etc.)

Burial, Funeral, Memorial

Details & Logistics

A copy of my Will is located here (digital version or in a safe?):

LIVING WILL/ADVANCE CARE DIRECTIVE

My Living Will is (often completed/updated with your Will):

____ Done (reviewed and/or updated in the last year)

GetYourShitTogether.org | © 2013-2021 Chanel Reynolds | Before & After Expanded Checklist

Medical Power of Attorney

____ My Medical power of Attorney (and back-up person) is informed of my

Wishes, Directives and Instructions

____ I have written a letter to my doctor to convey any additional

_____ Discussed these wishes friends and family.

_____ Discussed with my Medical POA.

_____ Discussed with my doctor and/or medical team.

____ I have reviewed my options, discussed and written my instructions

Details & Logistics

A copy of my Living Will is located here (digital version or in a safe?):

GetYourShitTogether.org | © 2013-2021 Chanel Reynolds | Before & After Expanded Checklist

____ I have listed my Personal Details out in case of emergency or someone

_____ Online services (i.e. Lastpass, Docusafe, Dropbox, etc.)

____ I have listed a Digital Power of Attorney in my POA document and on

____ I have updated my account information and passwords to my online

A copy of my details list is located here: ____________________________

GetYourShitTogether.org | © 2013-2021 Chanel Reynolds | Before & After Expanded Checklist

____ I have thought over and written down my financial goals.

____ I have completed a budget and track monthly actual costs to my

Savings & Planning

____ I have ______ weeks/months of expenses saved in case of accident or

Medical, Dental, Vision

GetYourShitTogether.org | © 2013-2021 Chanel Reynolds | Before & After Expanded Checklist

Life, Disability, Long-term Care

A copy of my policies are located here: __________________.

GETTING MY SHIT TOGETHER

____ I have a plan to get it done.

____ I will spend _______ minutes _________ on my plan per week/month.

____ I will track progress and my to-dos with/by _____________________.

____ I have clear goals to meet by the end of the year.

____ I will celebrate each accomplishment, large and small.

KEEPING MY SHIT TOGETHER

I have __ weeks/months of expenses saved in case of accident or

I will spend _ minutes _______ on my plan per week/month.

I will track progress and my to-dos with/by _________________.