"The List" (or how to corral your financial and legal documents)

"The List" (or how to corral your financial and legal documents) -


How many of you have legal and financial documents stashed in various drawers in different places? Maybe you have some in your home safely, some in drawers in the bedroom, others in the den and in the office. What happens when you get sick or die? Does anyone know where all the documents? Probably not, including you.
The Wall Street Journal published a very interesting article, The 25 documents you need before dying, just answer this problem. The article was two pages, very detailed and well written, so let me give you a summary of what he said
According to the WSJ, there are six categories of documents that must be maintained . Marriage and divorce, life insurance and retirement, health care, bank accounts, proof of ownership and "essential". Here is what should be included in these categories.
Marriage and Divorce
o Marriage license
o divorce papers
life insurance and retirement of
o fonts life insurance
o individual retirement accounts
o 401 (k) accounts
o retirement papers
o annuity contracts
health care
o personal and family medical history
o sustainable health food proxy
o authorization to disclose health information
o Living will be
o Do-not-resuscitate for
o pre declaration -Need of guardianship (not required in all states, but an excellent idea)
bank accounts
o List of bank accounts
o List of investment accounts
o list of all the usernames and passwords
o list of safes
evidence property
o housing, land and acts cemetery
o Escrow mortgage accounts
o evidence of granted loans and debts
o tracks vehicles
o stock certificates, savings bonds and brokerage accounts
o partnership and operating company agreements
returns o tax
the Essentials
o Will
o Letter of instruction
o other business documents such as purchase and sale agreements or share buyback
My list includes over 25 mentioned by the WSJ, and your list may include other. Here is another indication of someone who lives in an area prone to severe storms and flooding. Put your papers in watertight containers with water to prevent loss or damage due to water.
Now you have your list. Start organization!