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Although no one likes to talk about it, death is a destination we all share. A wonderful gift to your survivors would be a detailed account of your personal information. In the event of a simultaneous death of both spouses, such a record is an invaluable aid for the executor of your estate. It’s hard enough to cope when a loved one dies. But it can be less painful if the survivor has a guide through the complicated and possibly unfamiliar records in order to settle your estate. It’s amazing how many details are involved in the maze of social security information, insurance, finances, automobile details, etc.
Following is a template that we’ve put together. You might want to use this as a guide, tailoring it to fit your own situation.
It’s important to name this document in such a way that you can find it on the computer to update, or sadly, when you need it the most. Perhaps the best way is to put the computer file name on the document itself. Look over the document at least once a year to ensure it’s up-to-date. I’m always surprised how many things have changed during the year. Give a printed copy of the document to the executor of your estate or show him/her where in your files she can find it.
To use the document, note that the printing in caps are the subject headings–you just fill in the blanks.
VITAL INFORMATION FOR (Persons listed)
SAFE COMBINATION (if you use one; otherwise where important papers are located):
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS
Person 1, Person 2
BIRTH DATES
Person 1, Person 2
DRIVER’S LICENSE NUMBERS
Person 1, Person 2
CARS
(Car/truck model, license numbers)
INSURANCE
Automobile Insurance
Company name:Policy #:
Contact (Name and phone number)
Home Insurance
Company name
Policy #
Contact
Health Insurance
Person 1, Person 2
Company name
Policy #
ID number
Contact
Life Insurance
Person 1, Person 2
Company(s) name
Policy #
Contact
Burial Insurance
Person 1, Person 2
Company name
Policy#
Contact
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Checking Account
Name of Bank
Account #
Contact
Savings Account
Name of Bank
Account #
Contact
Credit Cards
Company
Account #
Contact
Investments
Company
Account #
Contact
Mortgage/Loans
Company
Account #
Contact
Tax Consultant
Contact
WILLS
Where Wills are located
With the Wills are:Durable Power of Attorney documents appointing one another as Attorney-in-Fact, or (Name of executor) if neither are able to serve
Community Property Agreements
Living Will
Disposition Authorization for Cremation
Brief burial instructions (regarding body viewing [or not], etc.)
We are organ donors (or not)
Draft copies of your obituaries
CURRENT INFORMATION
On separate sheet is listing of finances (IRAs, Investment account(s), 401K, etc.) with totals as of 12/31/XX of past year. Update the document each year. The purpose of this listing is so that the person handling affairs will have an idea of the value of various accounts and know what to look for.
You just keep amazing us, Mary. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank YOU, Tyson. It makes me feel good knowing that someone won’t have to go scrambling through our stuff to settle things. Well, of course there will be a little of that, but hopefully not too much.
Great information and guidelines Mary!
Thank you,
Lani
You’re welcome, Lani. I think you’ll find it, or part of it, useful.
This is a great list, Mary! Matter of fact I’ve begun putting “important papers” into a binder to make things easier. Your list here reminds me of some other information I need to include as well. You might want to add, “Surround yourself with experts” should there be a death of a spouse.
I’m glad you think it’s worthwhile, Alice. Your suggestion is good, too.
Thank you so much for this information. We don’t think about all these things, which are so important, until we need them and sometimes its too late.
You are welcome, Tisha. The reason I did it was because a friend suddenly had to take care of her mother’s affairs and barely knew where to start.
This is so valuable! Thank you, Mary. I’m going to do this. Carmen
You’ll be glad you did, Carmen. It’s a relief to have this done.
Thank you for this template. All important things and info that’s needed.
You are so welcome, Carol. It took us quite awhile to come up with all the items, so I’m glad to save someone time.