As a freelance writer and Professional Organizer, I have two online businesses that are conducted globally. I can't stress the importance of making sure you have your business information clearly set out and easy to access.

If something happens to you, illness or worse, will anyone be able to sell your business? Or will a family member be able to continue the business without interruption?

Consider all the user names and passwords, client lists, websites, and other important details you need to conduct your particular business.

Perhaps you're a web designer and you have many websites you are responsible for. Are they just listed in bookmarks or do you have spreadsheets with details of each client site? (user names, p/w jobs done etc.)

Do you have something set up to make sure none of your important info is lost? Backups go without saying but what else have you done to ensure continuity of your business if you can't be working on it for any period of time?

Oh Judy, you had to bring this up didn't you? ;-)

I am responsible for 5 websites for my company and no, no one really has any idea what I do. My client laughs all the time and says - you have the most secure job on the planet because I don't know what you do and I don't want to learn.

Unfortunately, that could cut both ways. I do have a heart condition and if something were to put me out of commission for any length of time, it would be a problem.

I have what's called my IN CASE I'M NOT HERE BINDER which contains all of that stuff. The first thing on it is to call my client and direct him to contact the person I work with at the website company. Between the two of them, they could take care of everything but it would be messy.

In my binder, I have all accounts, personal and business, passwords, email accounts, details about where to find the life insurance, who to contact where about what issues. Every detail down to what type of dog and cat food to buy. It's not complete and it's not perfect but it's probably much more than most families have.

I doubt I would ever get into detail about cat food, but I do have both an Estate Planning Portfolio, mostly the strictly legal language and documents, I have a "life crisis" folder in the top file-cabinet drawer, and a binder with instructions for my cousins, who are my son's legal guardians. It has a lot of extra things in it, too, such as ideas for memorial service, suggestions on whom to donate things to, etc. etc. It needs work - but as you said, much better than nothing.

My dog in particular has major stomach issues and it's imperative that she have a certain food. Since we have it in bins, there's no other way for someone to know what it is.

ChefSam, you are really on top of it, good for you. Most people don't even think about anyone else having to pitch in without you being there. Pets too are important, good thinking!

Simplicity, the estate planning folder is excellent. Also I love the idea of a Life Crisis folder being so handy. Wow, I'm impressed!

I don't have a business, and don't ever expect to have a "real" one. Years ago, I did free-lance translating on top of a regular job, so that was a business of sorts.

It IS crucial for people to be able to find things. Equally important is to have DETAILED RECORDS. Record-keeping isn't usually much fun, but is very important, especially in relation to taxes. In particular, if you have business-related deductions (equipment, mileage, etc.), you must be able to document them.

If something happens to you and your executor/executrix has to take over, you will be doing them an ENORMOUS FAVOR if you have your affairs and papers in order. I was executrix of DM's estate, which fortunately wasn't excessively complex, and didn't include a business, but because she hadn't had things in the best order when she went into assisted living, I had to spend a lot of time straightening out her info and records. She passed away 3 1/2 years later, so by then I mostly had things organized. If they had been in their original state when she died, it would have been a chaotic mess.

In terms of having things orderly, pretend you are a stranger and don't know what you actually know. Start by figuring out where you will store the info., etc. that will be needed, and put a note somewhere where they are (that's among the things in my "life crisis" folder - where to find things.

Then, slowly but surely, put things in folders or binders or someplace where like materials are together: business-related papers, say, in binder, perhaps with several pockets, tax info in a tax folder, and anything legal in something similar to my estate-planning binder.

It can be time-consuming to set things up, and you will need to keep them current by checking the information periodically and seeing if it needs to be changed (even addresses and phone numbers). I can guarantee that the time you spent preparing will be a lot less than if things are helter-skelter and you have to deal with them under such conditions.

Excellent advice Simplicity, and yes, it is a real good idea to prepare before something happens. I have had clients that had no idea what to do after the demise of a parent and nothing had been documented in an orderly fashion.

As a P.O going into a job like that, it is quite a bit more expensive for the clients. So thinking of it like that and also realizing the time involved in sorting it all out even before you can dispose of assets etc. it is an investment of time that is well worth it. It is a gift to your family or those left to deal with your 'stuff'.