Gathering the Important Documents

In today’s busy life, most of us are just doing our best to hold things together day-to-day. When someone close to us dies, the need for legal documentation can be overwhelming.

Now is the time to do your best to locate as many of the following important documents as possible:

• Will
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Deeds
• Bank Books
• Stock Certificates
• Military Discharge Papers
• Social Security / Insurance Card
• Tax Forms
• Vehicle and Boat Titles
• Insurance Policies

While you’re going through your paperwork and come across documents that you think may be useful, add them to the pile. In the coming weeks, you may need them.

If you have questions about anything related to the search for the important papers, call us. We’re here to help.

Thinking Ahead

Having a select place to store important documents like bills and personal records can come in handy when it's time settle an estate after death without having to search and sift through mounds of paperwork. If you take time to organize these documents, those you leave behind can easily find everything that's necessary.

Here are some suggestions about what documents to keep on file:

• Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Copies of these documents should also be given to a trusted individual for safekeeping.
• Income information including social security / insurance and child support and alimony documents.
• Investment accounts including retirement accounts, mutual funds, and college saving plans.
• Credit card accounts information
• Bills and banking information with clear explanations about how bills are paid and any necessary information and instructions for bills paid online.
• Insurance policies including life, health, auto, and disability or long-term care insurance.
• Military records, old tax returns, and birth, marriage, and death certificates.
• Digital asset account information for email and social media accounts, online services, and financial accounts. You want to organize and store essential passwords, access keys, PINs, and other sensitive information in a safe place that can later be accessed by your family or another trusted individual upon your death.