Essential Information to Protect with Lastkey
Setting up your Lastkey vault might feel overwhelming at first—there's so much important information to organize. But our streamlined approach makes it painless. This guide walks you through the essential documents and information you should protect in your vault, organized by Lastkey's intuitive categories.
The beauty of Lastkey is that it takes just minutes to set up the basics, and you can always add more later. Your loved ones will thank you for organizing this critical information in one secure, accessible place.
Quick Start: The Essentials
Before diving into the complete list, start with these three must-haves:
- "Read This First" - A pinned note with basic instructions and context for your beneficiaries
- Password Manager Instructions - How to access your main password vault
- Emergency Contacts - Key people your beneficiaries should reach out to
These three items alone can save your loved ones hours of confusion and stress. Everything else builds from there.
Identity & Personal Documents
Use Lastkey's Identity category for these critical documents:
- Social Security card or number
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce certificates and settlements
- Prenuptial agreements
- Armed Forces discharge papers
- Passport information
Lastkey tip: Use the "Identity documents" template to quickly add these with guided prompts.
Money & Financial Accounts
The Money category in Lastkey is perfect for:
Bank Accounts
- Checking and savings account details
- Money market accounts
- Certificates of deposit (CDs)
- Account numbers and institution contacts
Investment Portfolios
- Brokerage accounts
- Stock holdings
- Bonds and mutual funds
- Cryptocurrency wallet recovery information
Credit Cards
- List of active cards and issuers
- Customer service contacts
- Note: Store actual card numbers in your password manager, not here
Loans & Mortgages
- Mortgage documents and servicer information
- Auto loans
- Student loans
- Personal loans
Retirement Accounts
- 401(k) or 403(b) plans
- Traditional and Roth IRAs
- Pension plan details
- Beneficiary designations
Lastkey tip: Use our "Crypto recovery" template if you have digital assets. Include seed phrases, hardware wallet PINs, and exchange accounts. This template encrypts everything client-side before upload.
Home & Property
Store these in the Home category:
- Property deeds and titles
- Mortgage or rental agreements
- Home insurance policies
- Utility account information (electricity, gas, water, internet, phone)
- Home security system details
- Safe or safe deposit box locations and access information
Lastkey tip: The "Mortgage & utilities" template guides you through adding these essential details.
Insurance Policies
Use the Insurance category for:
- Life insurance policies and beneficiaries
- Health insurance cards and information
- Auto insurance policies
- Homeowner's or renter's insurance
- Umbrella policies
- Disability insurance
- Long-term care insurance
Lastkey tip: Upload policy documents and use the "Insurance policy" template to add key details like policy numbers and agent contacts.
Devices & Accounts
The Devices & Accounts category handles your digital life:
Password Management
- Primary password manager name and master password location
- Recovery codes for password manager
- Instructions for accessing the password vault
Email Accounts
- Primary email providers (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)
- Recovery information
- Important contacts in address book
Social Media
- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn
- Account preferences (memorialize vs. delete)
Online Services & Subscriptions
- Amazon, PayPal, eBay
- Streaming services
- Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud)
- Domain registrations and web hosting
Computing Devices
- Computer and phone unlock codes
- Device serial numbers
- Backup locations
Lastkey tip: Don't duplicate your entire password manager here. Instead, create a secure note with instructions on how to access your password manager—that's the key that unlocks everything else.
Wishes & Personal Messages
Your Wishes & Messages category is for:
- Personal messages to loved ones
- Funeral and burial preferences
- Organ donation wishes
- Memorial service instructions
- Charitable giving intentions
- Digital legacy preferences (what to do with social media, photos, etc.)
Lastkey tip: Use the "Personal message" template. This is often the most meaningful content you'll add—take your time with it.
Legal Documents (Advanced)
For users who enable advanced categories, you can add:
- Will and copies of previous versions
- Trust documents and declarations
- Power of Attorney documentation
- Healthcare directives (Living Will, Healthcare Proxy, DNR)
- Executor and trustee contact information
- Attorney contact information
Tax & Professional Contacts (Advanced)
- Recent tax returns (W-2s, 1040s, 1099s)
- Accountant contact information
- Financial advisor details
- Insurance agent information
- Estate attorney contacts
Business Information (Advanced)
If you're a business owner:
- Business formation documents
- Operating agreements
- Business bank accounts
- Vendor and client contacts
- Domain and hosting details
- Business succession plans
Lastkey tip: Use the "Business: domains & hosting" template for digital business assets.
Healthcare (Advanced)
- Current medications and pharmacy information
- Physician contacts and specialties
- Medical history summary
- Allergy information
- Health insurance details
Getting Started with Templates
Lastkey makes adding all of this information simple through guided templates. When you tap "Add" in your vault, you'll see template options like:
- "Read this first" (always recommended)
- "Password manager instructions"
- "Crypto recovery"
- "Insurance policy"
- "Mortgage & utilities"
- "Emergency contacts"
- "Personal message"
Each template creates either a secure encrypted note or helps you upload a file with the right context. Templates automatically assign content to the correct category, so you don't have to think about organization.
Privacy by Design
Remember: Lastkey uses true zero-knowledge encryption. This means:
- All files and notes are encrypted on your device before upload
- We never see your plaintext content
- Even file names and labels are handled carefully to protect your privacy
- Your beneficiaries can only decrypt content after a verified release
You're not just organizing information—you're protecting it with bank-grade security.
Don't Forget the "Read This First" Note
Every Lastkey vault should include a pinned "Read This First" note. This brief message should:
- Explain what's in the vault and why
- List key contacts (executor, attorney, close family)
- Provide any immediate instructions
- Express your intent and care for your loved ones
This simple note transforms a collection of documents into a roadmap that actually helps your beneficiaries.
Start Simple, Build Over Time
You don't need to add everything at once. Start with the top priorities:
- "Read This First" note
- Password manager access
- Key financial accounts
- Important contacts
Then add more as you have time. Lastkey's templates make it easy to fill in gaps later—just a few minutes here and there.
Check In Regularly
Once your vault is set up, all you need to do is check in periodically (we recommend every 30 days). This simple action confirms you're okay and resets the 3-strike timer. If you miss three check-ins, your vault automatically releases to your trusted beneficiaries.
Setting up your Lastkey vault is one of the most caring things you can do for your loved ones. By organizing this information now, you're saving them from confusion, stress, and hours of searching during an already difficult time.
Ready to get started? Create your Lastkey vault in less than 5 minutes.
Lastkey is a zero-knowledge digital legacy vault. We cannot access your encrypted content, and neither can anyone else without proper authorization.