This financial information is extremely important as it can have a direct bearing on the lives of loved ones you leave behind. Please take care to give as much detail as possible when adding this data to your arrangement documents.
Do not assume this financial information will be readily available even if those who should know are aware of its existence. Provide appropriate locations and/or account numbers in every case.
Be sure to provide account or ID numbers, passwords, and information for the following where applicable:
Every year Billions of dollars go unclaimed. Billions that would have gone to survivors is never claimed because the policy was unknown to those who would have rights to make a claim.
Make sure you list every policy you have, the policy number, have a copy of the policy and company. Keep this with your final arrangement plan documents.
If you have a checking or savings account at a bank, Credit Union, Savings & Loan you may have a policy attached to the account, that you didn't even pay for as a benefit. Any organization you belong to may have a group policy for members as a benefit. The kinds of insurance, but not limited to, include those below.
It is amazing how many individuals die each year "in testate", meaning without a will. So much legal entanglements could be avoided by making sure a will exists.
Be sure your will is updated every few years. Give the location of it and make sure to name someone who is also aware of its location.
The same care should be given to any Trust documents. A copy of both these should be kept by the attorney who drew them up
A living will also known as Advanced Directives or Do-Not-Resuscitate Directive (DNR) allow you to have control over healthcare decisions when you can no longer speak for yourself. They also cover organ and tissue donation. If you have implemented any of these legal documents, be sure to include copies with your plan documents.
