At Takacs McGinnis Elder Care Law, there are certain things that we recommend our clients do to help ensure that their heirs will get the most benefit out of their estate when they are gone. This 18-point checklist outlines the most important items.
Establish a budget for your final arrangements or purchase a pre-paid funeral plan during your lifetime.
List your important papers, including where these items can be found.
Create a long-range plan and leave detailed instructions for how the proceeds of life insurance policies and other assets should be used to meet the needs of your beneficiaries.
List IRAs and other retirement accounts, and include all benefits, terms, and penalties for early withdrawal. List Plan Administrator contact information.
List other assets that can be converted to income-producing property if necessary.
If you own a business, provide instructions for keeping the business running profitably. If you have a partner, make sure your heirs know what the terms of the partnership are.
List the names and contact information of your important advisers, what they do, and who should be called first in the event of your death or disability.
Inventory your assets, list when and for how much you acquired each asset, and give instructions for how the assets should be sold and for how much. This is particularly important if you have assets such as art, collectibles, and real estate.
Review your estate plan at least annually. Seek legal and tax advice on whether the value of your estate warrants planning to minimize or avoid federal and state inheritance and estate taxes.
Provide a budget of what it costs to run your household.
List your debts and bills. Include due dates, payment terms, and amounts owed.
List the insurance policies you have in force, their beneficiaries, benefits, due dates, and premiums paid.
List essential information about yourself, such as your Social Security number, safe deposit box number, personal safe combination, computer passwords, etc.
If you are veteran, remember that your military discharge papers (DD-214) will be needed to collect any benefit to which your heirs are entitled.
List all credit cards, account numbers, etc.
List who owes you money. Include amounts owed, repayment terms, and the location of promissory notes, mortgages, etc. held by you.
If you own a computer, consider purchasing a home finances software program such as Quicken or Microsoft Money to use in maintaining this information.
Make a master list of all passwords and PINS to access digital and online accounts including social media.
Record your information on this document. It will help you and members of your family organize much of the important information described above. Keep this information in a safe and convenient place and consider giving copies to the people who will be involved in settling your estate, such as the Personal Representative named in your Will.
It’s always a good idea to review and update this information once each year.
Need assistance?
Takacs McGinnis Elder Care Law can help. Just give us a call at (615) 824-2571