Being prepared is the key in making things easier for your loved ones. If you are unable to communicate, this will be a significantly traumatic time for your loved ones. Spending some time in getting your affairs in order now will save time and stress in the future.

When you start compiling your documents, you may find that some are electronic (being environmentally friendly) so it is a good idea to download and save these on to your computer (in a folder in your documents called ‘Essential documents’ and / or storage device. In this case, storage device refers to a ‘cloud’ or a removable storage device like a memory stick or portable hard drive.

The list is not exhaustive but gives you an idea so you can make a start:

All About Me

•  Birth Certificate
•  Marriage Certificate
•  Divorce papers including divorce settlement documentation
•  Passports / Proof of Identity documents
•  Other identity documents
•  Household utilities including gas, electric, water and phone

My Family

•  Care arrangements for dependents adults, children and pets

My Health Care

•  Lists of health care providers
•  Advanced Health Care Planning – Directives, Organ donation, DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) and unofficial instructions, values, and beliefs that you may have noted previously

My Insurance

•  Business
•  Car
•  Family protection (income and life)
•  Funeral
•  Health
•  Home & Contents
•  Landlord
•  Mobile phone
•  Pet
•  Natural disaster
•  Tenant
•  Travel
•  Other

My Digital Footprint – providers / usernames / passwords

•  Emails
•  Entertainment
•  Financial
•  Gaming
•  Health
•  Insurance
•  Online shopping
•  Social media accounts

My Estate

•  Last Will & Testament and any information with regards to Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney
•  Financial documents and statements for assets and liabilities in banks, savings, debit and credit cards, mortgages, and loans.
•  Investment documents and statements – share and stock certificates, documents relating to investments and superannuation (pension) documentation, bonds, trust funds etc
•  Asset documentation including real estate documents such as title deeds, conveyancing documentation and any vehicle registration papers.
•  Government tax information – this may include tax codes, tax returns and any government assistance benefits including income and retirement payments
•  Security / safety deposit boxes – details of location and access information including keys
•  Any legally binding documents such as contracts with others (business and personal)

When you start to compile your documents, you will no doubt find many more. Why not consider A TellThem4Me® membership which allows you to record details of all of these documents and more? With a membership, you can easily update your records as and when necessary.