What Your Spouse or Partner Should Know

A useful spouse or partner information checklist

Start with the information that would be difficult to reconstruct quickly. Record locations and next steps rather than placing sensitive credentials in an unprotected note.

Household essentials

✓Regular bills, due dates, payment methods, and service providers
✓Home, vehicle, storage, alarm, and utility information
✓Routines for children, pets, plants, or others who rely on you
✓Where keys, maintenance records, and essential supplies are kept

Money and insurance

✓Financial institutions and the general purpose of each account
✓Recurring income, expenses, subscriptions, debts, and obligations
✓Insurance providers, policy locations, and agent contact details
✓Accountant, financial professional, employer, or benefits contacts

Health and emergency details

✓Preferred emergency contacts and current healthcare providers
✓Important allergies, medications, conditions, and insurance details
✓Where applicable healthcare documents are stored
✓Practical instructions for a short or extended absence

Digital and personal information

✓Important devices, accounts, subscriptions, and digital storage locations
✓How to find your password manager or approved access instructions
✓Key contacts in My Contacts and what each person can help with
✓Personal preferences, meaningful messages, and details only you know

A simple way to decide what to share

Use three questions to turn a broad conversation into a manageable process.

1

What do we both use?

List shared responsibilities, accounts, routines, property, and people. Make sure either partner can keep essentials moving.

2

What do only I handle?

Identify tasks and details that currently live with one person. Explain the next step and who can help.

3

What needs protection?

Share access thoughtfully. Record secure locations and permissions without casually duplicating passwords or sensitive documents.

Put the information somewhere usable

A conversation helps, but details change. Be Sure They Know is a private place for information, instructions, messages, memories, and meaningful details you want the people around you to know. It helps you organize your records now and update them over time.

Be Sure They Know was created by Ann (Annie) Hall, PMP and is operated by Golden Pond Investments Inc, a Michigan-based company.

Relevant ways Be Sure They Know can help

✓Keep practical instructions and document locations together
✓Add trusted people in My Contacts and set appropriate access
✓Preserve personal messages and details alongside practical records
✓Review and update your records as circumstances change

Frequently asked questions

Should partners share every password?

Not necessarily. A safer approach may be to use a reputable password manager and document how authorized access works. Consider the sensitivity of each account, provider rules, and each person's privacy.

How often should we review this information?

Review it at least once a year and after a move, job change, new account, major purchase, change in support responsibilities, or change in an important contact.

What if we keep some finances separate?

You can preserve independence while still documenting what the other person may reasonably need to know: the institution, the record location, relevant obligations, and an appropriate contact or next step.

Is this information the same as a will?

No. This practical record can explain routines, locations, contacts, and personal wishes that legal documents may not address in useful day-to-day detail. It complements, rather than replaces, appropriate legal documents and professional advice.

What important information should your spouse or partner know?