The Papers That Make It Easier on the Family
I do not want that for our children
Picture a couple named Walt, 75, and Lorraine, 73. Lorraine's friend lost her husband and spent a long time hunting for a bank statement.
"I do not want that for our children," Lorraine said.
"Then let us make the list," Walt said.
They sat down with a pad. By the end of the afternoon they had a table. It is a place to start, and a lawyer or accountant could add to it.
| Paper or list | What it holds | Who might need it |
|---|---|---|
| Will, in each country where we own something | Who receives what | Executor, lawyer |
| Trust papers, if any | The rules and the names | Trustee, lawyer |
| Beneficiary forms for retirement accounts and insurance | Who is named on each | Children, accountant |
| List of every account, in every country | Bank, type of account, where | Executor, accountant |
| Deed and tax receipts for each property | Proof of ownership | Local lawyer |
| Recent tax returns | What was reported | Accountant |
| Power of attorney and a health care directive | Who may act if we cannot | The person named |
| Where the passwords are kept | Phone, computer, accounts | One trusted person |
| People to call, with languages they speak | Lawyer, accountant, doctor, neighbor | Everyone |
| A short letter of wishes | What we would like, in our words | Children |
Walt pointed at the second row. "That one we do not have yet."
"Then it goes on the list as a question," Lorraine said.
They put the folder on the shelf where the tax papers go. Lorraine told each child where it was.
"They only need to know where to look," she said.
You could…
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Start with one row of the table, and add one more each week.
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Ask the lawyer in each country what a will there would need.
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Tell your children where the folder is kept.
What is on your list that is not on this one? Share it here. Someone reading may add it tonight.
Figures are estimates for planning, based on public data.
Tell us in the comments