Organizing before it's too late!
We rarely talk about this.many of us don™t like to even think about this, but we must. Every mature adult should have their paperwork in order so that in the event of an emergency, death, or other disaster, one's colleagues
and or family can have immediate access to critical personal and business information. Setting up a master file for emergency purposes can be the kindest and most vital thing that you can do for your loved ones and business associates.
While this subject might be difficult to broach its importance can not be minimized. You might want to suggest having a family meeting and letting everyone know ahead of time what will be discussed. This should give family members time to get in touch with their feelings. This is also a good
Opportunity to make sure that everyone has a clear understanding of your needs, desires and wishes.
If you were in an accident.would you want to be on life support? Do the important people in your life know if you would want to donate your organs? There are many sensitive issues that need to be discussed. Having these conversations while emotions are calm will prevent tension later. You need to be very specific about what is important to you and share your feelings openly, then put these points in writing and create an emergency master file.
Here are some suggestions of the kinds of information you would want to keep in your personal master file. Remember to tell your family exactly where it is. This way you will not have to explain to them where every single file isthe location of the master file is all they will need to know when a crisis arises.
Banking records
Burial arrangements or instructions
Birth certificate
Citizenship papers
Insurance policies
Investment records
Marriage certificate
Military discharge & veterans records
Pension or retirement information
Power of attorney
Safety deposit box information
Social security records
Tax records
Titles or deeds
Will
Make a list of where all of these papers can be found and note all pertinent account numbers in this master file. You may want to keep copies of some of the records in this file (such as power of attorney), with the originals in a safety deposit box. A fireproof filling cabinet or fireproof box can also be a good idea, particularly where there is a lot of documentation. investments for example. If you are a business owner you will want to set up a master file for
Your business so that key the people will be able to carry on should you fall ill or die unexpectedly.
If something happens to youyour loved ones and business associates will bless you for organizing this paperwork in advance for them. You will have given them a wonderful gift of organization and in the processyou will save them from lots of additional stress and heartache during the most painful time in their lives. To help you with this, there is an excellent new product on the market called Just In Case, The Ultimate Vital Document Organizer. To learn more about it go to
justincase.cc Dana H. Korey, Founder of Away With Clutter is a nationally recognized speaker in the field of organizing. She can be reached at 858 481 9191 or
awaywithclutter.com
