A Checklist for Getting Your Affairs in Order
by Christa Meland
One of the best gifts you can give your loved ones is getting your affairs in order so they aren’t left with a mess when you die. But you might wonder: What exactly should I be doing to prepare?
We came across an excellent list of documents that we slightly adapted and are sharing in hopes that it can be helpful to our End in Mind community.
We highly recommend gathering these items (or at least finding out where they are) so your loved ones can easily access them when the time comes:
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)
Birth and death certificates and certificates of marriage, divorce, citizenship, and/or adoption (as applicable)
Employers and dates of employment
Education and military records
Passport
Durable power of attorney and medical power of attorney documents
Memberships in groups and awards received
Names and phone numbers of close friends, relatives, doctors, lawyers, and financial advisors
Usernames and passwords (banks, investments, social media accounts, etc.)
Financial records
Banks and account numbers
Deed for home
Business and owned real estate
Car title and registration
Credit and debit card names and numbers
Income and assets (pension from employer, IRAs, 401(k)s, interest, etc.)
Income tax returns (last seven years)
Insurance information (life, health, long-term care, home, car) with policy numbers and insurer phone numbers
Investment income (stocks, bonds, property) and stockbrokers’ contact information
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
Veterans’ benefits
Original legal will (it is much harder to probate a copy)
Final wishes
Funeral, burial, or cremation desires, with paperwork for each if they have been pre-planned
Guardianship of children (if not adults)
A living will (advance care directive)
Plan for pets
Religious leaders’ names and contact information
Obituary desires/wording/notes
Organ donor information
Memorial service notes
