In these troubled times, it's important to prepare a checklist of critical financial information about yourself, so your family and loved ones won't be burdened at a time of crisis.
This information should be kept somewhere safe, yet accessible. Don't keep it in a safety deposit box, but do keep it somewhere secure (for example, with your attorney or your accountant) so no unauthorized person could gain access to it. Here is a partial list of the information that you should have:
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BANK ACCOUNTS AND SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES - all bank names - account numbers - personal contact, if available - location of safe-deposit box - contents of box - location of box key
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CREDIT CARDS - issuers - account numbers - expiration dates - special information (airline mileage points, balances owed)
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INSURANCE (Home, car, life, health, long-term care) - issuers - account numbers - agents - premium due dates
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HEALTH CARE - contact information for physicians - current medications and dosages - Medicare claim number - Medigap policy number
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TAXES - accountant information - location of past filings
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INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS - names of brokerage or plan administrators - account numbers - PIN numbers - Names of bankers or brokers
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LEGAL DOCUMENTS - wills - trusts - power of attorney - trustees of all the documents - contact information for lawyers
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HOUSE - amount of mortgage payment or rent - due date - location of deeds and property titles - contact information for service people
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LAST WISHES - arrangements for funeral and burial - organ donation wishes
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MISCELLANEOUS - driver’s license number and expiration date - vehicle registration information - any items in storage - storage company phone number - contact information for neighbors and friends - e-mail accounts and passwords - combination to any safes - list of automatic payments from and deposits to bank accounts.
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Getting Here
