Rather than gathering it piecemeal, ask your parents to prepare a master document listing their important information. Start with Social Security numbers. You can't pass Go without them. Here's what else you want to know.

Bank accounts and safe-deposit boxes

All bank names

Account numbers

Personal contact if available

Location of safe-deposit box

Contents of box

Location of box key

Credit cards

Issuers

Account numbers

Expiration dates

Special information (airline mileage points, balances owed)

Insurance

For home, car, life, health, long-term care

Issuers

Account numbers

Agents

Premium due dates

Health care

Contact information for all physicians

Current medications and dosages

Medicare claim number

Medigap policy number

Taxes

Accountant information

Location of past filings

Investments and retirement accounts

Names of brokerage or plan administrators

Account numbers

PINs

Names of bankers or brokers

Legal documents

List all documents that are in place

Wills

Trusts

Power of attorney

The trustees of all the documents

Contact information for the lawyer who drew up the papers

House

Amount of mortgage payment or rent

Due date

Location of deeds and property titles

Contact information for service people, like the plumber and electrician

Last wishes

The arrangements your parents want for their funeral and burial

Whether they want to donate organs to research

Miscellaneous

Driver's-license number and expiration date

Vehicle-registration info

Any items in storage

Storage-company phone number

Contact information for neighbors and nearby friends, especially those with access to your parents' home

E-mail accounts and passwords