Few tasks are more stressful than piecing together a parent’s finances after a hospital stay or sudden death. Yet with a proactive approach, families can transform chaos into clarity and ensure loved ones’ wishes are honored.Start the conversation earlyBegin while your relative is still healthy and cognitively sharp. Frame the discussion as a safety measure, not a takeover. A simple opener— “I’d like to help if you’re ever unavailable to pay bills”—often eases tension and invites cooperation.Create a master listDocument every bank account, investment, insurance policy, recurring bill and safe-deposit box.