Last month's offering to our readers considered the effect of the Inheritance Tax on folks without spouse, siblings or children as estate beneficiaries. This month's article offers practical steps to ease the task of your surviving nieces, nephews, friends or other loved ones as they try to sort out your affairs.

First, and most basically, be sure your estate planning documents are up-to-date, and that someone knows where to find them. The person you have chosen to care for you and your affairs if you are unable to do so – your fiduciary – should be able to find ready information about your assets, your obligations and your intentions.

Second, make a list of your assets and their custodians, and your professional advisors. Your fiduciary should not have to rummage through the house and wait for the mail to find out what he or she is supposed to do. Keep the list up-to-date, periodically reviewing it.

Third, make sure your fiduciary can get into your house without having to break in. The last thing anyone needs is for your neighbors to call the police on your nephew when he is trying to help you.

Fourth, be sure your asset custodians and professional advisors know who they will be hearing from if something happens to you. Your power of attorney should be filed with your banker, broker, benefits department, insurance agent and others who have custody of your assets. Your medical directive should be filed with your doctor. Your fiduciary should not have to waste time waiting for your bank to decide whether they will honor your power of attorney when time is of the essence.

Fifth, if your fiduciary is not local, travels frequently or works long hours, be sure a friend or neighbor knows who to call in the event of an emergency or other situation where you might need help. If your newspapers are piling up on the driveway and you don't answer your phone, your niece in Tampa might not notice for weeks, but your neighbor will notice immediately.

Finally, be sure you review your plans regularly with your accountant, financial advisor and attorney. As conditions change, be sure your planning changes to meet new challenges and opportunities. The recent economic downturn has undercut the assumptions of many and forced a re-evaluation of the means to reach goals and the time necessary to accomplish those means. Families change, and your needs change. Be sure your preparations are dynamic and realistic.