It is important to know where your loved one keeps his or her important documents. If a list isn’t readily available, here are some items to consider:
- Name and phone number of attorneys, executors of the estate, financial advisors or stock brokers
- Location of any wills or trusts
- List of beneficiaries, with current phone numbers
- Copies of medical directives, with the name and phone number of the agent
- Copies of powers of attorney, with the name and phone number of the agent
- Specific funeral requests and location of burial plot, if appropriate
- Name and phone number of clergy
- Location of important papers, including birth certificate, social security card, marriage and divorce certificates and military records
- List of bank accounts and bank addresses
- List of investments, including stocks and bonds
- Insurance policies, with name and phone number of insurance agent
- Location of safe deposit box and keys, along with a list of contents
- List of credit cards
- Appraisal records and receipts for valuables
- Financial information about personal loans still outstanding
- Tax information and returns for the past five years