CHECKLIST OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
As you prepare for retirement, it is important to collect, review and safely store important family and financial documents. While none of us wants to think about the end of our lives, it is important to prepare for our family members by making sure the documents are current and stored where a trusted family member or friend can easily locate them.
The following is a list of documents and information needed to administer an estate. A list of document locations and information should be given to your attorney, executor and any other person who may need them to execute your estate. The documents themselves should be stored in a secure location along with a copy of this list.
| Document | Location | |
|
PERSONAL DOCUMENTS |
||
| Names and telephone numbers for attorney, accountant, and financial advisor | ||
| Birth Certificates | ||
| Adoption Papers | ||
| Citzenship/Naturalization Papers | ||
| Military Discharge Papers | ||
| Last Will and Testament | ||
| Trust Documents | ||
| Burial Instructions (pre-paid services, plots, etc.) | ||
| Safe Deposit Boxes and/or Safes (with keys and/or combinations) | ||
| Powers of Attorney | ||
|
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS |
||
| Bank/Credit Union Accounts (Checking, Savings) | ||
| Retirement Accounts | ||
| Brokerage Accounts | ||
| Pension System Statements | ||
| Deferred Compensation Papers | ||
| Credit Card Accounts | ||
| U.S. Savings Bonds | ||
| Money Market Accounts | ||
| Certificates of Deposit (CDs) | ||
| Stock Certificates/Bonds | ||
|
FINANCIAL PAPERS |
||
| Real Estate Deeds | ||
| Mortgage Documents | ||
| Property Tax Records | ||
| Inventory of Assets (include appraisal if available) | ||
| Vehicle Titles | ||
| Income Tax Returns for Several Years | ||
| Rental/Lease Agreements | ||
| Partnership Agreements | ||
| Outstanding Loans (either owed to you or by you) | ||
| Pending Legal Actions/Lawsuits | ||
|
MEDICAL AND INSURANCE |
||
| Health Care Provider and plan or personal identification number | ||
| Living Will/Health Care Proxy | ||
| Long Term Care Policy Information | ||
| Life Insurance Policy Documents | ||
| Veterans Administration Insurance Policy | ||
| Mortgage Insurance Policy | ||
| Property and Casualty Policies | ||
| Organ Donor Information |
This list was provided to the following individuals: