ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

This is the 3^rd in a series of articles dealing with concerns of older Alabamians.
 
 

GETTING YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER

AUBURN, SEPT. 3---The old cliche', "The only certain things in life are death and taxes," should give us cause to get our affairs in order.

The death of a loved one is a time of confusion and emotional upheaval, especially for family members. It's important the next of kin know where to find records that will be needed when a loved one dies. Listing the location of important records may ease the stress on family members.

Develop a list of important documents. By each document indicate where the original document is stored. You may want to use a code to represent the location.

You may have the original copy of your birth certificate, military papers and will in a safety deposit box at the local bank with a copy in your home file system. You also may have more than one copy of a document such as a living will. If you are older and spend time with children, friends or other relatives you might want to make sure they have copies of important documents, in case you forget to carry such documents with you on extended visits.

Below is a list of documents and suggested storage locations. Some items on this list may not apply to you. Complete the checklist and let the family member or members delegated to handle your affairs know where the checklist is located. You may want to leave a list with your attorney.

Your list should include any names, addresses and telephone numbers that may help survivors deal with your affairs. Be sure to list an entry for each person or place noted on your checklist of important documents.

Keep the original checklist with your will so that your personal representative or executor has access to it. Also, give a copy of the checklist to individuals who have copies of your important documents, such as your lawyer, and keep copies of documents in your home file for easy access. The list may help you locate one or more of the documents for other purposes.

For more information, contact your local county Extension office and request a copy of HE 351 Records and Important Papers.

SOURCE: DR. JO TURNER, Extension program specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-3243.
 
 
 

IMPORTANT NAMES, ADDRESSES, AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Name/Contact Address Telephone #

Bank 1:

Bank 2:

Child(ren)

Clergy

Family Contact:

Financial Advisor:

Friends:

Funeral Home:

Insurance Agent 1:

Insurance Agent 2:

Lawyer’s Office:

Primary Physician:

Stock Broker:

 

 

Document	Recommended Location Code	Original	Copies
Appraisals Possessions (art,silver,etc) Property (real estate)	1
Automobile Registration & Title	1
Bank statements Current & up to 7 years	2
Birth Certificates/ Adoption Papers	1
Burial Plot Documents	1
Canceled  Checks (1 year) Checkbook Records	2
Charge Accounts	2
Credit Card Statements	2
Debt Contracts (current)	1
Deeds –current property	1
Deeds – sold property	2
Divorce Papers	1
Durable Power of Attorney	3
Employment Papers	2
Funeral Plans	2
Healthcare (living will)	2		7
Household Inventory	1
Insurance Papers	2
Investments	4
Investment Records List	2
Letter of Last Instructions	2
Living Will	5
Marriage Certificates	1
Military Papers	1
Naturalization Papers	1
Prenuptial Agreements	1
Religious Records	2
Residency Papers	1
Safety Deposit Box  Locatiion	4
Safety Deposit Box Key	2
Social Security Card	5
Tax returns	2
Trust Documents	2
Wills	1 or 2

Location Code List:

1-Bank Safety Deposit Box 6- Relatives/friends

2-Home File Cabinet 7- Primary Doctor’s Office

3-Lawyer’s Office 8 -Funeral Home

4-Broker/Bank 9 -Other

5-Carry on person