Get Your Paperwork Organized Now to Help Ease the Burden of Moving on Without a Spouse

In a previous blog, we introduced you to an important document called a Family Facts Sheet. While not a legal document, it is the first step in helping spouses organize all their personal information into a quick reference guide — things like legal names and addresses, driver’s license information, social security numbers, employment information, etc. 

That may sound like a lot to pull together, and it can be the deeper you dive. But think of it this way: you only have to do it once. More importantly, it keeps you or your spouse from having to search for these things if you or they pass away. 

As you fill out this form, you will think of additional information and documents. That is what we want to discuss today.

Organizing now to ease the burden later

Your endgame for the Family Facts Sheet is to have a comprehensive binder with tabs and folders with all your important information, documents, etc. neatly categorized and easily accessible when you need it most. 

For example, you could start with three tabs: one for you, another for your spouse, and a third for your child. 

Each tab would have copies of important documents, which include but are not limited to:

• Current photo
• Birth, Baptism, Death certificates
• Diplomas and College degrees
• Marriage certificate
• Employment records
• Immunization records
• Identifying birth marks, scars, etc.
• Guardianship documents

From there, you can create additional tabs for 

• Bank account records
• Medical information
• Brokerage and Investments
• Estate documents
• Credit Card information
• Funeral arrangements
• Pets
• Important people
• Real estate
• Safe deposit box information
• Vehicles
• Taxes

It is only natural to focus more on traditional estate planning to ensure you protect everything you own and everyone you love while also preparing yourself for the legalities of death. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, burial directives, and more achieve that. But when you are the spouse left behind, you don’t always have all the answers during such a difficult time. 

This is where a Family Facts Sheet and a detailed binder with all your important information can help.

Call Leigh Hilton PLLC today!!

No one wants to think about dying. They certainly do not want to think about the day their spouse passes. But it is better to discuss these things together ahead of time and be prepared for when that day comes. Dealing with uncertainty is the last thing you want to worry about when trying to move on without your spouse.

Having a competent estate planner in your corner will help you and your family navigate these often overwhelming waters. That is our job, and we like to think we do it better than anyone else. Please call Leigh Hilton PLLC so that we can help ensure you and your family are taken care of in the best way possible. 

Leigh Hilton PLLC wants to be your first call every time for any estate planning need. We look forward to serving you.