What a great list and advice—thanks, Don! I’d add filling out a MOLST form or some other advance directive and talking to your kids/survivors and doctor about it.
Excellent reminder to document how your life works. I use my own system ("Household Handbook") which includes all you mention, plus: Military and adoption records; drivers licenses; Frequent Flyer and Paypal accounts; IRS taxpayer ID numbers; organ donation info; telephone and cable providers; retail subscriptions (eg Amazon, Passport Gifts, etc.) club and gym memberships. Yes, putting it all together is very time-consuming and it needs constant updates as things change, drop off or are added to the list. But such a generous thing to do for our survivors!
We just finished with the Living Trust and Health Directive shindig. It was a LOT to take in. Trustees. Executors. Probate. Tax implications.
But now we have a nice inch-thick document on hand and a copy in our attorney's secure online lockbox.
I had begun the process with a Quicken/Nolo Press software package, but then quickly saw that we could get in over our heads very fast. It might be more complicated in California (many things are!), but maybe not.
We don't have children, so our main concern is the welfare of the survivor. Still, we do have heirs and wanted to remember them in ways that wouldn't create headaches or grievances.
As for all the financial details, I've done that for my husband. Like you, I handle all of that. He wouldn't have a clue if I were to become incapacitated.
What a great list and advice—thanks, Don! I’d add filling out a MOLST form or some other advance directive and talking to your kids/survivors and doctor about it.
Excellent addition! Thanks for reminding me.
Excellent reminder to document how your life works. I use my own system ("Household Handbook") which includes all you mention, plus: Military and adoption records; drivers licenses; Frequent Flyer and Paypal accounts; IRS taxpayer ID numbers; organ donation info; telephone and cable providers; retail subscriptions (eg Amazon, Passport Gifts, etc.) club and gym memberships. Yes, putting it all together is very time-consuming and it needs constant updates as things change, drop off or are added to the list. But such a generous thing to do for our survivors!
Wendl, these are great additions. Thanks so much for pointing them out.
Great advice, with important details!
We just finished with the Living Trust and Health Directive shindig. It was a LOT to take in. Trustees. Executors. Probate. Tax implications.
But now we have a nice inch-thick document on hand and a copy in our attorney's secure online lockbox.
I had begun the process with a Quicken/Nolo Press software package, but then quickly saw that we could get in over our heads very fast. It might be more complicated in California (many things are!), but maybe not.
We don't have children, so our main concern is the welfare of the survivor. Still, we do have heirs and wanted to remember them in ways that wouldn't create headaches or grievances.
As for all the financial details, I've done that for my husband. Like you, I handle all of that. He wouldn't have a clue if I were to become incapacitated.
thanks, Don.
Gina, I appreciate the testimonial. This is not easy stuff, anywhere.
I recently bought a book called "I'm Dead Now What". It helps organize all those things you mentioned in your article.
Thanks, Jody. Sounds like the perfect reference book.