Are Your Documents and Records Secure?

If you were in an accident or some other crisis, do you have arrangements made for some one to take care of your family's financial matters? Some one in addition to your spouse. Having policies, payment schedules, bank records and other information accessible in a crisis can make a huge difference in our lives. Organizing all of your important papers and documents is a daunting task to say the least. The hardest part for me was getting started. I sniveled and whined about it before I finally got down to business. First, make a list of your important documents and other financial and personal information.

This might include:

Health and Life Insurance Policies
Home Owners Insurance Policy
Birth Certificates
Mortgage Payment
Other Bills and Payments Due
Deeds, Titles
Banking Information
Retirement Accounts
Will and Burial Arrangements
You can include a CD of your home and personal items for insurance purposes.
Appraisals for specialty items like artwork

Consider including insurance agents names and phone numbers. In addition, numbers for family and friends that live out of the area or out of state that you would like to have contacted.

Medical information, including history, medications, conditions, allergies, currant doctor's name, and phone number.

Your list will have papers not included in this that relate to your financial and business affairs. Once you have it all organized the next step is where to store it. On the top shelf in the hall closet is not going to work. There is some very sensitive material here that you do not want just anyone to have. Your bank probably has safety deposit boxes available at a reasonable price. If you want to keep it at home, consider a fire resistant security box or a home safe. What ever you decide to do remember your spouse and a trusted third person should have the key or combination. And a list of what papers are included and any special instructions.

Now that trusted third person could be a relative or friend or an attorney. What ever your circumstances call for and what you feel comfortable with are what is important. Chose some one that both you and your spouse trust and are comfortable with. Some one who does not live in your home but does live near by is ideal. This person should have a list of important documents and the location of them. If they need a key or combination to retrieve the papers or possibly to enter your home to retrieve them be sure they have the keys and or combinations. If you use a safety deposit box you will need to have the third person go to the bank with you and be included as an authorized user. That way they can sign in and get to the records needed.

Do not forget to up date your information from time to time or when you change policies or any major changes occur.