Getting It All Together

The days are getting colder, so the warmth of our homes beckon.  Are you wondering what to do with that chilly afternoon?  Get all those important papers organized!  We all know the anxiety of having to search for a vital document in a time of need -- and worse yet not being able to find it. 

It doesn’t matter if your papers are organized in a binder or a box (although a fireproof box does have additional benefits) as long as they can be easily stored, located, and transported.   Let a trusted family member or friend know where your papers are kept.   Copies of these documents can be made and stored outside of the home also. 

One easy organizational scheme is to divide your paperwork by sections: 

•         Personal information, like birth certificates, baptismal records, marriage licenses, divorce declarations, social security cards, military discharge records, family member phone numbers, and individuals to be notified in case of emergency;

•          Health-related information, such as physicians names and numbers, Medicare and/or  Medicaid cards, supplemental insurance information, disability insurance information, long-term care insurance plans, lists of current medications, advance directives (living wills), and funeral arrangements;

•          Other insurance policies- home, car, life and burial insurance policies;

•          Legal documents- wills, POA, or adoption papers;

•          Financial records- credit cards numbers with contact phone numbers, mortgage information, car payment records, warranties on appliances, other monthly payment records.

What else would you include?