Important Documents To Keep and Where To Store Them
When someone dies or becomes incapacitated, families are asked for documents they may never have seen. Some institutions accept copies; for others, the original matters. Here's what to gather, and how to make sure it can be found.
Documents worth locating now
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Will (original) | Courts generally need the original for probate |
| Trust documents | Trustee needs them to act |
| Financial and health care powers of attorney | Needed while you're alive but unable to act |
| Advance directive / living will | Doctors and family need to know your wishes |
| Birth certificate | Benefit claims, proving relationships |
| Marriage certificate / divorce decree | Survivor benefits, beneficiary questions |
| Social Security card | Identity and benefit claims |
| Passport | Identity; needs to be cancelled after death |
| Deeds and vehicle titles | Transferring or selling property |
| Life insurance policies | Filing claims |
| Recent tax returns (3 years) | Final returns; finding accounts and income |
| Military discharge (DD-214) | Veteran burial and survivor benefits |
| Pre-paid funeral or cemetery contract | Avoid paying twice |
Where to store them
- A fire-resistant home safe or locked file box for originals. Tell one or two people where it is and how to open it.
- A bank safe deposit box is secure, but may be difficult for family to access quickly after a death, depending on the bank and state. Keep at least a list and copies at home.
- Your attorney may hold the original will. Write down which attorney.
- Digital copies, encrypted or in a password-protected folder, are helpful backups.
The most useful step: a locator page
Even if your documents are scattered, a single page that lists each document and where the original is saves your family hours. That's exactly what the documents section of a life binder is for.
Don't keep forever
Shred old statements you no longer need, and old versions of your binder when you update it. Keep tax returns and supporting documents for as long as your tax advisor recommends.
The Just-In-Case Life Binder includes a document locator page and a spreadsheet tab with "original location" and "copy with" columns.
Just-In-Case Life Binder — $17
19-page printable binder for everything your family would need to know, plus letter of instruction templates and a life inventory spreadsheet. Instant download: PDF + DOCX + XLSX.
Get the Just-In-Case Life BinderFamily Paperwork Bundle — $34More guides
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