Documentation to Have in Place Before Death

You will hear a family member or a friend saying “I want to put my affairs in order”. This means they want the documentation related to their financial, medical, legal matters and any other important information to be kept ready and updated before his or her demise. But in the daily hustle and bustle of life, this lacks priority.

What happens when you are suddenly incapacitated due to an accident or a disease or if you die? In the absence of any documentation your loved ones are running from pillar to post for money, necessary documents and key information relating to you and home. There lies the need to keep in place documentation before death takes charge.

Essential Documents

• A Will - A will essentially documents your decision about the distribution of your assets among the beneficiaries and appoints an executor to oversee it
• A living will - It specifies medical treatment you want or do not want in different circumstances. This can help family members to take decisions and relieve them of stresses.
• A durable power of attorney- It ensure that there is some trusted person to handle your financial and other matters when you are incapacitated. It is a useless document after your death.

A lawyer’s services are essential to prepare these documents.

Useful documents

In the process of living we need and create a variety of documents such as:

• Bank accounts, credit, debit cards
• Medical insurance card
• Life, car and medical insurance
• Mortgages
• Utility registration and accounts,
• Membership of various organizations
• Subscriptions
• Support to charities etc.

It is important to keep originals and copies of these records at hand in a folder easily accessible to a responsible family member. This will make life easier for those who have to manage your affairs if you are incapacitated or after death.

If you want to know more about funerals or want to plan one, don’t hesitate to contact us at Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home for more information.