Checklist Of Important Documents
Do you know where all those important documents are located? In the event of an emergency, the ability to quickly and easily access legal and financial papers belonging to you and other family members can be crucial.
ElderLife suggests that you use this checklist to gather your own important documents. Make copies of each item to keep in a file, then update the file on an annual basis, perhaps around your birthday.
When you've completed your own file, do the same for other family members who depend on you to take care of their affairs.
There is no need to share the entire content of the file with family members if you would prefer not to do so, but it IS important to ensure that at least one family member or close friend knows the location of your "Important Documents File".
Personal Identity Documents
- Birth Certificate
- Social Security card
- Verification of marriage
- Divorce decree
- Military records/separation papers
- Death certificate of spouse
- Verification of New Jersey residency (utility bills, driver's license)
Insurance Documents
- Medicare cards (Part A&B, Part D)
- Other health insurance cards
- Life insurance policies
- Auto insurance policies
- Property/Casualty insurance policies
- Surety bond policy
- Pre-paid burial policy
Medical Information
- Medical records
- Prescription medicine information - names and dosages
- Health Care Directives
- Names, addresses and phone numbers for personal physicians
Legal Documents
- Will
- Power of Attorney forms
- Guardianship commissions
- Guardianship annual reports
- Deeds/leases to properties owned/rented
- Automobile or other vehicle titles
Financial Documents
- Federal income tax forms for 3 prior years
- State income tax forms for 3 prior years
- Paycheck, pension and/or Social Security check stub (representative of current status)
- Most recent bank account statements
- Most recent statement from investment accounts