Free Estate Planning Guides — Getting Your Affairs in Order

Thirteen free guides covering the practical side of estate planning — what happens, who has authority, and how to make sure the people you trust can act when it matters. No jargon, no overwhelm. Pick the one most relevant to you and start there.

Estate planning terms explained in plain English — Done Once Lab guide

Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, executors, beneficiaries. This guide cuts through the jargon and explains the terms you're most likely to encounter — and what actually matters about each one.

What to do in the first 24 hours after someone dies — Done Once Lab guide

A calm, practical guide to the most important steps immediately after a loved one dies — who to call first, what to secure, what to avoid, and why the order matters.

What to do in the first 24 hours after someone becomes incapacitated — Done Once Lab guide

A stroke, a serious accident, a sudden hospitalisation. This guide covers what to do when someone you love can no longer make decisions — who has authority, what needs immediate attention, and what can wait.

Where to store important documents so your family can find them — Done Once Lab guide

Creating the documents is only half the job. This guide covers where to store them, who needs to know, and how to make sure they can actually be found in a crisis.

What does an executor actually do — Done Once Lab guide

Being named executor is an honour and a serious job. This guide explains what the role actually involves, how long it typically takes, and what makes it harder or easier.

Why a will is not enough — Done Once Lab guide

A will is essential — but it has a specific, limited job. This guide explains exactly what a will does and doesn't do, and the significant gap it leaves behind that most people don't discover until it's too late.

How to avoid probate mistakes — Done Once Lab guide

Probate is slow, expensive, and public — and mostly avoidable. The problem is that the mistakes that cause it are made years before anyone dies. Here's what they are and how to fix them.

What happens to digital accounts when you die — Done Once Lab guide

Most online accounts don't close when you die — they keep running and charging. This guide covers what happens to your digital life and what to do about it now.

What documents does an executor need — Done Once Lab guide

An executor without the right documents is stuck before they start. This guide covers exactly what they'll need and where to keep everything so they can actually act.

What is a power of attorney — Done Once Lab guide

Power of attorney is one of the most important documents in estate planning — and one of the most misunderstood. This guide explains what it does, when it kicks in, and the mistakes that leave families exposed.

How to tell your family where everything is without passwords — Done Once Lab guide

You don't have to choose between privacy and preparedness. This guide explains how to give the people you trust everything they need to act — without handing over sensitive credentials.

What happens if you become incapacitated — Done Once Lab guide

Incapacity is often harder to plan for than death. This guide covers what actually happens when someone can't communicate their affairs — and the two things that prevent most of the chaos.

Will vs Trust vs Legacy Asset Locator — estate planning guide by Done Once Lab

Wills, trusts, and Legacy Asset Locators are often mentioned together — but they do very different things. This guide breaks down what each one actually does, where it stops, and why most people are missing a critical piece.

Why getting your affairs in order feels so good — Done Once Lab guide

Almost everyone delays estate planning — and almost everyone feels immediate relief when they finally do it. This guide explains the psychology behind both, and what makes starting easier than you think.