Leaving those who survive you an organized estate with accurate records will save time and money.
At a minimum, leave information regarding the following in a place where your family can easily find it:
- Your personal history including names, addresses and telephone numbers for yourself and all of your current family members and family members from previous marriages;
- Your military service including your branch and dates of service;
- Your employment including present employer and employment benefits (life insurance, stock options, pension plans and contact information for each);
- Real estate you own including copies of deeds;
- Financial accounts including name of institution and account numbers;
- Stocks and bonds held in brokerage accounts and the name and phone number for the brokerage firm;
- Automobile make, model and year and location of title of any loan information;
- Business interests including type and amount of ownership;
- Safe-deposit boxes
- Insurance policies
- Funeral/Burial instructions
- Tax returns
- Wills
- Trusts
- Power of Attorney for Property
- Power of Attorney for Health Care
- Living Will
- Name and phone number for your lawyer, accountant and doctor
- Important friends to notify upon your death
Consult your estate planning attorney for further information.