Organize Your Important Papers and Get Personal and Financial Affairs in Order

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April 21, 2022 •  The Estate & Elder Law Center of Southside Virginia, PLLC
The first step in getting your affairs in order is to gather up all your important personal, financial and legal information, so you can arrange it in a format that will benefit you now and your loved ones later.
Robert W. Haley, managing lawyer
Robert W. Haley
Certified Elder Law Attorney® Robert W. Haley brings over 27 years of legal expertise and knowledge to his firm, which concentrates solely on the areas of elder law, estate planning (Last Will & Testaments, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Trusts, etc.,.) Asset Protection/Medicaid Planning and fiduciary services. For many years, Robert practiced in real estate law, and in general practice, but decided to narrow his focus to elder law and estate planning when he realized the tremendous need for proper planning to be filled in Southside Virginia.

Organizing your important papers and getting your personal and financial affairs in order is a wise move and wonderful gift to your family. The Daily Journal’s recent article entitled “How to get your affairs in order” says to collect your important personal, financial and legal information. Here is a list of areas on which to focus:

  • Contacts: Make a list of names and phone numbers of close friends, doctors, lawyers, accountants, brokers and insurance agents.
  • Medical information: Include a list of medications you take, along with any allergies and illnesses.
  • Personal documents: These are things like your birth certificate, Social Security card, marriage license, tax records and military discharge papers.
  • Digital assets: List your digital assets, including everything from social media accounts to online banking accounts to home utilities you manage online. It should include usernames and passwords.
  • Pets: If you have a pet, give instructions for their care.
  • End of life: Indicate your wishes for organ and tissue donation and state your funeral instructions. If you have made pre-arrangements with a funeral home, include a copy of the agreement, the contact information and if it is prepaid.
  • Will and trusts: Include the original copy of your will and other estate planning documents.
  • Advance health care directives: A living will and medical power of attorney state your wishes as to your end-of-life medical treatment, when you can no longer make decisions for yourself.
  • Financial accounts: List your bank accounts, brokerage and mutual fund accounts and any other financial assets.
  • Debts and liabilities: State any loans, leases or debts you have — mortgages owed, car loans, student loans, medical bills, credit card debts, along with a list of all credit and charge cards, including the card numbers and contact information.
  • Company benefits: List any retirement plans, pensions, or health benefits from your current or former employer, including the contact information of the benefits administrator.
  • Insurance: List the policies you own, such as life, long-term care, home, auto, Medicare, Medigap and prescription drugs. Add policy numbers, agents and contact info numbers.
  • Property: Note your real estate, vehicles and other properties you own, rent, or lease and include documents, such as deeds, titles and loan or lease agreements.

Once you organize your important papers and get personal and financial affairs in order, put your documentation in a convenient location, like a fireproof filing cabinet or safe in your home.  Review and update it every year, and do not forget to tell your loved ones where it is located.

Reference: Daily Journal (Jan. 6, 2022) “How to get your affairs in order”

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