Before You Die Create a Set of Personal Records

Whether you're a twenty-something young adult or someone fast approaching the century mark, you can die unexpectedly. While no one likes to dwell on that prospect, having your affairs in order will help your family deal with the aftermath. Assuming you've already created a will or a living trust, your job isn't completely over just yet. Help your family by creating a notebook with all of your vital information including assets, liabilities, account numbers, income, bills, and personal data.

By creating a personal records notebook, the executor of your estate will have a handy resource he can use to begin his job. He'll know which banks you have accounts with, what regular bills he needs to pay and close out, what you currently own and where it's located, which insurance companies he needs to contact, and more. This saves him the hassle of tearing through your disorganized office in search of important documents and will ease the burden.

First, start with your word processor up and type in the following headings: personal data (full name, maiden name, date of birth, Social Security Number, etc...), employment history, education history, past residences, family members (living and deceased), marriage license/marriage information, doctors, dentists, optometrist etc..., medical history, people to notify in case of emergency, location of estate planning documents, location of tax records, location of birth certificate, location of passport, checking accounts (institution, account #, approximate balance, passwords), savings accounts, money market accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, pension, college fund, insurance (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, long term care, homeowners, auto, etc...), home ownership records, vehicles owned, current income, monthly bills, mortgage and property tax, vehicle loans, other loans, child's guardian, tax preparer, executor/representative, location of safe deposit box, location of safe, home alarm,and anything else you can think of.