I am the executor for my parent’s estate; and every time I visited them,
they would show me the drawer where the financial information was located. For many years
I thought that knowledge of the drawer was sufficient.
But all it took was a frightful
tale from a friend who spent months just trying to locate wills, death wishes, safety deposit
boxes and other financial information when her aunt passed away. That’s when I put together
this checklist. I then sat down with my parents and prepared a summary of the items on the
checklist for my reference. We go over this summary on occasion to update anything that
might have changed. Now we all spend more time enjoying each other and a little less time
worrying.
Will/Living Trust
Location of documents
Executor, personal representative or trustee including contact information
Attorney who prepared the will/living trust including contact information
Durable Power of Attorney
Location of documents
Person who has power of attorney including contact information
Medical Directives
Location of documents
Person(s) who has been designated to make medical decisions including contact information
Birth Certificate
Location of document
Date of Birth
Passport
Location of document
Social Security Number
Benefits currently receiving
Marriage License
Location of document
Health Records
Doctor and hospital information including contact information
Real Property
Location of documents
Addresses of property
Name of mortgage companies
Account numbers including contact information
Personal Property
Location of vehicle titles of other papers
Bank or institution holding financing
Account numbers including contact information
Tax Returns
Location of documents
Accountant who prepares tax returns including contact information
Safe Deposit Box
Location of box
Box number
Person(s) who have access including contact information
Location of key(s)
Other Records:
Military
Divorce papers
Guardian or custodian papers
Children’s records
Business agreements
Insurance Policies
Health insurance & prescription drug policies (including Medicare/Medicaid)
Policy document locations
Account numbers
Provider names including contact information
Long term care policies
Policy document locations
Account numbers
Provider name including contact information
Life, AD&D, disability and other insurance policies
Policy document locations
Account numbers
Provider name including contact information
Homeowner, rental and vehicle policies
Policy document locations
Account numbers
Provider name including contact information
Financial & Investments
Loans and credit cards
Bank or card provider name including contact information
Loan or account number
Checking account
Bank including contact information
Account number
Person(s) who have access including contact information
Savings account and CD’s
Bank including contact information
Account number
Person(s) who have access including contact information
Other bank accounts
Bank including contact information
Account number
Person(s) who have access including contact information
