There are certain rules that dictate who gets your money, regardless of what wishes you express in your estate planning documents. SeizaVisuals/E+/Getty Images

Maybe you’ve heard of “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.” It’s a guide to proactively downsizing your stuff while you’re still alive. Doing so spares your heirs the mess of doing it themselves, and the potential fights they may have in the process.

Similarly, you can avoid leaving a mess behind for your family by being meticulous now about identifying who you want to get your money but also knowing a little about how the process will play out when you’re gone.

Specifically, you should be aware of the importance of naming beneficiaries on key financial accounts, such as your 401(k)s and IRAs, as well as your life insuran

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