Buying for someone else

You are the one who will have to find all of this.

Many CLEAR Kits are bought by someone other than the person who fills them in, usually an adult child, often a partner. It is a practical gift with a selfish edge, and there is nothing wrong with that: you are the one who will be asked where the will is.

Give a CLEAR Kit, from $199 How giving one works

Buried in Work has appeared on CBS, ABC and MarketWatch

Two people at a kitchen table with a CLEAR Kit binder open between them

How giving one works

  1. 1

    Order it in their name

    Their name goes on the cover, so it is theirs from the first page, not a chore you handed them. Ship it to them, or to you if you would rather bring it over.

  2. 2

    Do the one-hour workbook together

    The Estate & End-of-Life Summary Workbook is emailed to you the day you order. Sit at the table, ask the questions, write the answers. It is the first pass at who to call and what exists.

  3. 3

    Then one section a visit

    Every tab is a short set of questions and says why it matters. You ask, they answer, you write. Section 2, Important Contacts, is a good first one and takes about twenty minutes.

  4. 4

    Leave it where they would look for it

    The kit comes with a notification card that says where it is kept. If a page is lost or a section changes, replacement pages print from the Resource Center inside the binder.

The hard part is not the gift. It is the sentence before it.

Nobody wants to hand a parent something that sounds like a countdown. These are three openings that have worked. Borrow one.

“I got one of these for myself and it made me realize I have no idea where any of your paperwork is. Want to do it at the same time?”

“This is not me being morbid. It is me not wanting to guess. Can we fill in the first section together this weekend?”

“You have always been the organized one. This is the one thing I could not find when I looked.”

Which one to give

Most people give this one

CLEAR Kit Expanded

All 47 guided sections in two binders. The one to give if you would rather not have to buy the second half later.

$299 for one adult · $449 for two

Choose Expanded

CLEAR Kit Essentials

Sections 1 to 22 in one binder: the documents, accounts and wishes that get asked for first. You can add the Expanded binder later.

$0 for one adult

Choose Essentials

When people give one

  • Retirement
  • A milestone birthday
  • Mother's Day
  • Father's Day
  • After a health scare in the family
  • A new grandchild
  • Downsizing or moving house
  • When one parent starts handling everything alone

There is no good moment for this conversation, which is why it keeps getting postponed. Any of the above is a reasonable excuse to start it.

What families tell us

Collected against the CLEAR Kit rather than against a single version.

We’re blown away by your product - both practical and necessary!!

Lynn and David G.

This is exactly what we needed to get organized.

Toshal R.

If I could shout the benefits of this from some rooftop, I would.

Jackie G.

I can finally get rid of my yellow notepad.

Nancy R.

This is wonderful. You've really thought of everything.

Marshall M.

You really did think of everything.

Kandy H.
Giving one

Questions people ask before they give one

Does it ship to them or to me?

Either. At checkout you choose the shipping address. Ship it to them if you want it to arrive as a surprise, or to you if you’d rather hand it over and start the first section together.

Whose name goes on the cover?

Theirs. You type it at checkout and it’s printed on the cover sheet before the kit ships. If you’d rather it stay blank, tick “Do not personalize” instead.

Will they know it’s from me?

That’s up to you. There’s nowhere to write a message with the order, so most people ship it to themselves and hand it over in person, which also means you can start the first section together. Three openings you can borrow are above.

What if they already have one?

If they have Essentials, the Expanded binder adds sections 23 to 47 without starting over. If they have a full kit, a second adult in the household can have their own set in the same case.

Can they start before it arrives?

The Estate & End-of-Life Summary Workbook is emailed to you the day you order. Forward it, or wait and open the box together.

What if it isn’t right for them?

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery.Your CLEAR Kit includes access to the CLEAR Kit Resource Center. Returns are available if fewer than five sections have been downloaded from it. Kits are personalized, so tell us and we’ll sort it out with you.

When someone hands you this kit

What happens after, in the order it happens

Many kits are bought for someone else. This is what the person who inherits it will actually find, and when they will need each part. Nothing here is a promise. It is what is in the box.

  1. 1

    The first thing they read

    The Estate & End-of-Life Summary Report sits at the front of the first binder. Sixteen pages, written so that someone can get oriented in one sitting: who to call, where things are, what needs attention. It is section 1 for a reason.

  2. 2

    How they know it exists

    Three “Where to Find My CLEAR Kit” cards come in the box. One goes to the person you trust. It says where the kit is kept, how to open the case, and who should be told.

  3. 3

    What they find in the case

    The binder or binders, in a fire and water resistant case. A key organizer with labeled keys. The Getting Started booklet. Every tab tells them what belongs behind it and, on the back, when they will need it. That is the list below.

  4. 4

    What they find online

    The kit’s code opens the CLEAR Kit Resource Center. For the person who inherits it, the page starts with “Someone has died. What now?”, says how the owner worked (on paper or digitally) and whether the Summary Report was completed, and hands them to the After a Death guide and checklists.

The 47 sections, in the order they are needed

Each line is the kit’s own note from the back of that tab. Sections 1 to 22 are in both kits; 23 to 47 are in Expanded.

1The first hours and days7 sections

Read first. These answer who to call and what has to be decided now.

  1. 1 Estate & End-of-Life Summary ReportThis report is designed to help someone quickly get oriented if they need to assist you, manage your affairs, or handle your estate.Essentials and Expanded
  2. 2 Important ContactsThis information can help family, friends, caregivers, or others assisting you quickly identify who should be contacted and who may be able to help.Essentials and Expanded
  3. 22 Final Resting Place InstructionsThis information may be needed soon after your death, when family members or others responsible for your arrangements are making decisions about disposition, funeral services, and your final resting…Essentials and Expanded
  4. 9 Organ, Tissue & Body DonationOrgan and tissue donation is coordinated soon after death or when death is imminent.Essentials and Expanded
  5. 26 PetsThis information can help a family member, friend, or other caregiver quickly understand how to care for your pets if you are unavailable.Expanded
  6. 25 Children & DependentsThis information can help family members, caregivers, or others assisting you understand who depends on you and identify important records relating to their care and support.Expanded
  7. 27 Faith, Spirituality, & TraditionThis information can help family members, caregivers, or others understand religious, spiritual, cultural, or personal practices that matter to you during serious illness, end-of-life care, or other…Expanded
2If they cannot speak for themselves8 sections

Used during a person’s lifetime, in a hospital or a crisis, before anything else applies.

  1. 6 Advance Directive, Medical POA & Living WillThese documents are primarily used during your lifetime if you cannot make or communicate your own medical decisions.Essentials and Expanded
  2. 35 DNR, POLST & MOLSTThese orders are used during your lifetime when health care professionals need to understand and follow specific treatment instructions, particularly during a medical emergency or serious illness.Expanded
  3. 7 HIPAA AuthorizationDuring your lifetime, the people named in your authorization may use it when they need access to health information covered by the document. HIPAA protections do not simply end when someone dies.Essentials and Expanded
  4. 8 Financial Power of AttorneyYour agent may need this document during your lifetime if they are called upon to manage financial or property matters for you.Essentials and Expanded
  5. 30 Medical SummaryThis information may be especially useful during a medical emergency, hospitalization, new medical appointment, or other situation where someone needs to understand your health history quickly.Expanded
  6. 31 Medical ProvidersThis information can help you, a caregiver, or someone assisting with your medical care identify the right provider and understand which professional manages each part of your health.Expanded
  7. 12 Life, Disability & Long-Term Care InsuranceDisability or long-term care coverage may become important during your lifetime if illness, injury, or declining health affects your ability to work or care for yourself.Essentials and Expanded
  8. 15 Digital Security & AccessYou may need this information anytime you lose access to an account, replace a device, change authentication methods, or need help managing your digital life.Essentials and Expanded
3The first weeks: keeping things running15 sections

Bills, accounts, coverage and the things that keep charging or expiring.

  1. 21 Expenses & Recurring PaymentsThis information can help you or someone assisting you understand what bills are expected, when they are due, and how they are currently paid.Essentials and Expanded
  2. 20 Credit CardsThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify active credit card accounts, recurring charges, payment arrangements, and rewards programs.Essentials and Expanded
  3. 19 Financial AccountsThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify your accounts, understand where money and investments are held, and contact the appropriate financial institutions or advisors.Essentials and Expanded
  4. 18 IncomeThis information can help you or someone assisting you understand which income sources are expected, how frequently they arrive, and which organizations or people may need to be contacted if…Essentials and Expanded
  5. 16 Email & Online AccountsThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify the online accounts connected to your finances, records, subscriptions, communications, photos, and other parts of your life.Essentials and Expanded
  6. 17 Devices & Phone PlansThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify your devices, understand which services and phone numbers are connected to them, and determine where important data or access tools may…Essentials and Expanded
  7. 10 Private Medical InsuranceThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify your current coverage, contact the appropriate insurer or benefits administrator, understand who is covered, and locate important plan…Essentials and Expanded
  8. 11 Medicare & MedicaidThis information can help you or someone assisting you understand how your health coverage is structured, identify the plans involved, contact the appropriate program or insurer, and address claims,…Essentials and Expanded
  9. 13 Social Security & Government BenefitsThis information can help you or someone assisting you understand what benefits you receive, identify important Social Security records, and address questions or changes with the Social Security…Essentials and Expanded
  10. 46 Non-Medical InsuranceThis information can help you or someone assisting you quickly identify your active insurance coverage, contact the appropriate insurer or agent, and locate supporting policy documents.Expanded
  11. 42 Employer & Contractual BenefitsThis information can help you or someone assisting you understand benefits and compensation connected to your employment or contractual relationships.Expanded
  12. 36 Residences & Real PropertyThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify each property, understand ongoing obligations, and locate the records needed to manage, insure, maintain, or secure it.Expanded
  13. 37 Vehicles, Boats & Recreational PropertyThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify, insure, maintain, secure, or move your vehicles, boats, and other recreational property.Expanded
  14. 40 Storage Units & Safe Deposit BoxesThis information can help you or someone appropriately authorized identify storage locations, maintain necessary payments, and locate important property or records.Expanded
  15. 29 Memberships, Organizations, & AffiliationsThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify memberships, understand available benefits, manage renewals, and contact the appropriate organizations.Expanded
4The months after: settling the estate17 sections

The documents an executor, trustee or attorney will ask for, and the things that are easy to miss.

  1. 4 Last Will & TestamentAfter your death, the will may need to be submitted to the appropriate probate court before the person named as executor can receive legal authority to administer the estate.Essentials and Expanded
  2. 5 TrustsThis information can help you, a trustee, or someone assisting you understand what trusts exist, who is responsible for administering them, and what property may be connected to each trust.Essentials and Expanded
  3. 3 Identity & CitizenshipThese records can help establish or confirm your legal name, date and place of birth, citizenship, and other identifying information when completing applications, updating records, or dealing with…Essentials and Expanded
  4. 24 Marriage & PartnershipsThis information can help you or someone assisting you confirm your current or prior legal relationships and locate the documents connected to them.Expanded
  5. 14 Digital Legacy PlanAfter your death, the people handling your affairs can use this plan to understand what you want done with your digital accounts and property.Essentials and Expanded
  6. 28 Military Service & BenefitsThis information can help you or someone assisting you establish your military service, locate benefit records, and address claims or other matters involving the VA or military-related programs.Expanded
  7. 47 Tax Returns & Tax InformationThis information can help you or someone assisting you prepare tax filings, respond to tax questions, and understand income or financial activity reported in prior years.Expanded
  8. 44 Debts You OweThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify outstanding obligations, understand payment arrangements, and locate the appropriate lender or creditor.Expanded
  9. 43 Debts Owed to YouThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify money you are entitled to receive, understand the terms of an arrangement, and determine whether payments are current.Expanded
  10. 45 Business InterestsThis information can help you or someone appropriately authorized understand your ownership interests, locate governing documents, and identify the partners, advisors, employees, or other people who…Expanded
  11. 38 Belongings, Valuables & HeirloomsThis information can help you or someone assisting you identify important belongings, locate supporting records, manage insurance, or arrange an appraisal when needed.Expanded
  12. 39 Firearms & Regulated ItemsThis information can help you or someone appropriately authorized identify firearms and regulated items, locate related documentation, and understand where the items are securely stored.Expanded
  13. 41 Privately Stored PropertyThis information can help you or someone appropriately authorized locate property that might otherwise be difficult to find.Expanded
  14. 23 Family Information & HistoryThis information can help you or your family answer questions about relationships, ancestry, vital records, family history, and other background information.Expanded
  15. 32 Career & EducationThis information can help you or someone assisting you verify education, employment history, professional credentials, and other important details about your career.Expanded
  16. 33 Residence HistoryThis information can help you or someone assisting you reconstruct your address history and identify records, accounts, benefits, or other matters connected to prior residences.Expanded
  17. 34 Ethical Will, Good to Know, & Legacy MessagesThese messages may be shared during your lifetime or preserved for loved ones to receive after your death, depending on your wishes.Expanded
Choose a CLEAR Kit Already been handed a kit? Sign in to its Resource Center →

You don’t have to say it perfectly.

You just have to hand it over. The kit does the rest, one section at a time.

Give a CLEAR KitCompare the two kits
  • Ships in under a week Most kits are personalized, assembled and on their way within a week.
  • Made for your household Each adult gets their own complete set, with their name on the cover.
  • Have a question? Email us or use the chat.