I love lists. Making them and reading them. I came across this list of what documents to make sure you have and keep in a safe place and I thought I’d share it with you. Where I live in California, people often keep a grab and go box in case you need to evacuate for a fire or mudslide. It doesn’t have to be fancy, mine was probably less than $10 from Office Max. Do you have your important documents in one place?
Certain papers should be kept in a safe location where they are protected from damage, loss and theft. Such original documents, which may be hard to obtain or costly to replace. Here is the list:
Birth certificates and adoption papers
Death certificates
Marriage and divorce records
Social Security cards. Yes, you know the number, but there may be an occasion where you have to produce the actual card.
Military service records, including discharge documents. An honorably discharged service member is eligible to receive funeral and burial benefits.
Loan payoff statements. Here’s something important: If you negotiated to pay less than what you owed on a debt, keep the original agreement in perpetuity. Often when debt is sold to debt collectors for pennies on the dollar, the sale doesn’t include a lot of information, including documentation proving a payoff.
Year-end pay stubs. If a company goes out of business you may not be able to track down the information should you need it later.
Retirement or pension records. Be sure to keep the records from previous jobs.
Estate documents
Funeral programs. Although many funeral homes will post an obituary online, they are often shortened versions of the program you might receive at the service.
If you need help getting started let me know, I’d love to help!