Adult children of aging parents are often caught without the essential documentation parents need in an emergency situation. Knowing where the official records are located as well as having copies of these important financial legal and health documents can save you thousands of dollars and countless hours of time spent tracking down recods.
PHOTOCOPY ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS:
- Birth Certificate
- Driver's License
- Social Security Card
- Organ Donor Card
- Marriage Certificate
- Credit Cards
- Mortgage Records
- Military Records
- Medicare/Medicaid/Insurance Coverage Card
- Legal Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy, Living Will, Advance Directives
CREATE A LIST OF WHERE TO FIND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS:
- Receipts and appraisals for valuables.
- Trust, banking, real estate and other investments.
- Living will, medical directive or durable power of attorney.
- personal loads owed with substantiating documentation.
- Tax returns and gift or estate tax returns filed during the period.
- Birth certificate, social security card, marriage and divorce certificates, education and military records.
- Any letter or instruction listing personal property not disposed of by will and wishes for distribution.
- Safe deposit box and key with a list of the contents and names of anyone who has access to it.
CREATE A LIST OF IMPORTANT CONTACTS AND ACCOUNTS:
- Name and address of clergy, if appropriate.
- Details of desired funeral arrangements, location of burial plot, if any, and deed to it.
- Complete list of beneficiaries with current addresses and telephone numbers.
- List of active credit accounts such as mortgage, banks, of companies and department stores including name and address of each company, account number and type.
- Name, address and telephone numbers of attorney, financial planner, tax advisor, broker and/or anyone else with knowledge of control over trusts, wills and finances,
- List of bank accounts, including name, address and telephone number of each financial institution, in addition to account numbers, location of passbooks, checkbooks and certificates of deposits.
- List of insurance information including health, life, auto, homeowner and renter policies; any employee benefit or pension plans. Also include name, address and telephone number of each insurance company and agent, policy numbers and locations.
