GON Reader
Question: Maria, Do you have a list for "getting your affairs in order" or similar? I'm trying to get organized so that my son knows where to look for important papers, etc., but more so, a checklist of things to prepare for end of life. Thanks!
-- Lynn McNamara
Response from Maria Gracia: Hi Lynn, Thank you for your question. None of us likes to talk about this topic, but being prepared for those we leave behind is such a kindness. My parents did a good job of this. When my mom ended up in the hospital, then a nursing home, and then passed away in 2017, my dad had everything in order in their filing cabinet. All the paperwork we needed from power-of-attorney, to life insurance documents, to burial paperwork, etc. were easy to access. It was already such an emotional time for us, and having all the paperwork we needed in one place at least didn't add an additional emotional burden. You won't necessarily need all of these, or you may need more. Every family is different but here is a "starting point" list to get together in one place. Keep it in a single drawer in a filing cabinet or a few binders...and let your son know where all of this paperwork and information is. Personal Records
- Full legal name
- Social Security number
- Legal residence
- Date and place of birth
- Names and addresses of spouse and children, and parents names (specifically mother's maiden name)
- Assisted Living Facility/Nursing Home Contact Information/In-Home Care
- Birth and death certificates and certificates of marriage, divorce, citizenship, and
adoption
- Care of Pets (Who and how)
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Employers and dates of employment
- Education and military records
- Funeral, burial or cremation desires, with paperwork for each if you pre-planned
- Guardianship of children (if they are not adults)
- Living
will and other legal documents
- Passport
- Power of Attorney Documents
- Religious contacts (names and phone numbers)
- Medications taken regularly (be sure to update this regularly)
- Memberships in groups and awards received
- Names and phone numbers of close friends, relatives, doctors, lawyers, and financial advisors
- Obituary desires/wording
- Organ Donor information
- User names and passwords (banks, investments, social media accounts, etc.)
Financial Records - Banks and account numbers (checking, savings, credit union)
- Business or real estate owned
- Car title and
registration
- Credit and debit card names and numbers
- Deed for home
- Income and assets (pension from employer, IRAs, 401(k)s, interest, etc.)
- Income tax returns (last 7 years)
- Insurance information (life, health, long-term care, home, car) with policy numbers and agents' names and phone numbers
- Investment income (stocks, bonds, property) and stockbrokers' names and phone numbers
- Medicare/Medicaid information
- Liabilities, including property tax— what is owed, to whom, and when payments are due
- Mortgages and debts—how and when they are paid
- Safe deposit box (location) and key
- Veteran's Benefits
- Will
I know this seems like a lot...and it is. But just focus on one item at a time, a little bit each day. In a short amount of time, you'll be able to get it all together...and you (and your son) hopefully won't have to think about it for a long, long time. |
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