As a mom and small business owner, I’ve spent a lot of time consulting with professionals on how to protect my family and our business interests in case of any kind of emergency. Making sure that beneficiaries have access to all the items they need to file the estate with the courts is critical to a timely and smooth transition. This list is simply to get your started; every household is different. Make sure that you talk to your attorney, accountant, banker, investment advisor and insurance agent to see what they recommend.