Free printable
Parent Document Location Map (Printable)
By Jason Su · Updated October 13, 2026
A drawer full of papers is only useful if someone knows which drawer, and what is inside. This map records where each document lives, and nothing else. No account numbers, no passwords, no balances. Just locations, so the page is safe to hand to an adult child or a caregiver.
For what to actually gather and why it matters, see what documents your adult children need.
What to write, and what to leave off
Write where things are: the filing cabinet, the safe deposit box, the folder on the top shelf. Leave off what they contain. The moment an account number or a password lands on this page, the page stops being something you can hand over freely.
The sheet
Where each document lives
| Document | Where it is | Who else knows |
|---|---|---|
| Will and trust papers | ||
| Life and home insurance | ||
| Deeds and vehicle titles | ||
| Birth, marriage, and military records | ||
| Passports and ID | ||
| Bank and retirement account list | ||
| Tax returns | ||
| The key to the safe deposit box |
Documents not kept at home
| Document | Where it is kept (safe deposit box, lawyer’s office, online vault) | How to get to it |
|---|---|---|
People who can help find things
| Person | What they know | How to reach them |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | ||
| Financial advisor | ||
| The adult child who has a key |
How to use it
- Write locations, never contents. The rule that keeps this page shareable is simple: no account numbers, no passwords, no balances.
- Do a walk-through once. Start at the front door and work through the rooms. The documents are usually in the office, the bedroom, and a kitchen drawer.
- Keep the account list separate. Writing down where the accounts are is fine; the numbers themselves belong in a password manager or a locked sheet.
- Note who else knows. A person who knows where things are is often more useful than a perfect label.
- Pair it with the inventory. For a full list of every document, use the Document Inventory.
Frequently asked
Why not write the account numbers here?
Because then the page stops being safe to hand over. This map is meant to be seen by the people helping you. Numbers and passwords belong in a locked place, separate from locations.
Should I list the safe deposit box?
Yes, but list the box and where the key is, not the contents. The box itself has its own rules about who may open it — see the Safe Deposit Box Contents sheet.
How detailed should the locations be?
Detailed enough that a tired person can find it at 2 a.m. “Filing cabinet, second drawer, folder labeled insurance” beats “in the office.”
Do I need to update this often?
Update it when something moves. A map that is a year out of date still beats no map, but a move, a new safe deposit box, or a change of attorney is worth a fresh pass.
Next step
Fill in the first five documents tonight — the will, the insurance, the deeds, the passports, and the account list. Then tell one person where this map lives. For the practical details an adult child needs alongside the locations (doctors, medications, keys, and contacts), see the Aging Parent Information Sheet.
This is a record sheet, not legal advice. Where to keep a will or a deed, and who may open a safe deposit box, differs by state — confirm the details with the institutions you use and a licensed attorney.