How can I organize important papers for my family?
You can help your family by organizing your records, insurance policies, documents, and instructions ahead of time. Doing this is one way to reduce the legal and emotional load your loved ones may carry later.
NCI suggests several practical steps. Make a list of where your family can find your important papers. Keep the papers in a fireproof box, or with a lawyer. If they are in a safety deposit box, make sure a family member or friend can get into the box. Original documents are needed for legal purposes, so give family members photocopies.
It also helps to write down contact information, and what needs to be done, for each kind of record. That covers banks and savings, safety deposit boxes, life and health insurance, homeowners' or renters' insurance, attorneys, accountants, pension or retirement plans, investment companies, credit card companies, and your employer. You may not need every item on the list.
You may want to call a lawyer or a financial planner to be sure you have taken all the right steps. Your bank can answer questions about how to change accounts and credit cards. Your health care team and these professionals can guide you further, based on your situation.
Want the full picture? Read our complete explanation: Making Future Plans With Advanced Cancer
Know someone who needs this?
Plenty of people are looking for something like this and do not know where to start. If this would help a friend or someone you love, send it on — we have written an opening line so you do not have to stare at an empty message. You can change every word of it.
Your message is written and sent in your own email or messaging app — we never see who you send it to, and nothing is added to any list.