Life is complicated and seems more so every year. It’s difficult to keep on top of everything, whether that’s finances, medical appointments, insurance coverage or estate planning. And if it’s complicated for you, just imagine how difficult it will be for anyone who has to step in if you become incapacitated or after you have passed away.
My partner, Sarah Hartline, created a list originally for friends to help prepare for when their parents might need assistance. Here’s her explanation:
The idea was that as their parents are aging or declining cognitively, it is important to gather this information and have it in one place in the event of a medical emergency or death. Otherwise, the kids are left scrambling when they would otherwise want to spend that energy on caring for parent or grieving their loss. I created a binder for my parents and although it was like pulling teeth trying to get all the information from them, it was really helpful when my dad got sick that we had everything in one place.
So, we’re sharing Sarah’s list to help you and your family get organized. Actually, it’s a table of contents for a binder where you can keep all your important papers, including copies of your Social Security card, marriage license, birth certificate, insurance papers, deed to your house, funeral plans, financial papers and estate planning documents. You can download it here.
Print out the form and put it in front of a binder. Check off the boxes for the documents in the binder as you add them. And fill out the personal information so it’s easily available to anyone who may need it.
While you’re add it, check out some of our other handouts at https://margolisbloom.com/handouts/. These include:
- The Ins and Outs of Durable Powers of Attorney
- How Guardianship & Conservatorship Work (and Why They’re to be Avoided if Possible)
- What Health Care Proxies Cover and What They Don’t
- Your Duties as Attorney-in-Fact and How Not to Mess Up
- Estate Administration Checklist
- Cohab Workbook: Couples
- Cohab Workbook: Families
- Turning 18 Checklist
- Memorandum of Intent Family Fund
- Memorandum of Intent Family Protection Trust
- Memorandum of Intent SNT