There are no keys to monitor, you don`t need to find a place to hide a safe, or be in the unfortunate situation of needing important legal documents in a safe you don`t have access to. That depends. You really should keep things like titles, deeds, mortgage statements, and even insurance policies for as long as you own your property (or the term of the loan). And once you say hasta la vista to that mortgage payment and your home is paid off, you`ll still want to keep those documents for at least 10 years. A locker is perfect for storing original documents such as birth certificates, wills, social security information, annual tax returns, and powers of attorney. The key with a safe is to be planned in advance. Because the box is at your bank or credit union, you can`t quickly access the information when needed, so make copies of the documents with information you might need at any time to keep them at home. Online document storage is a great way to share legal documents while keeping them accessible. Now that you know five of the most important documents that you need to keep safe, you need to know how to keep the documents properly and safely. When storing important documents, you have two goals: to keep the information handy in case you need access to it, and to protect it from theft, fire, or other emergencies. That`s why it`s important to choose to work with a lawyer who has a secure way to store your documents physically and virtually. It is recommended that you make copies of everyone`s birth certificate to keep for your records at home.
However, it is probably the least secure place to store important legal documents. We are talking about a safe, locker or fireproof cabinet. It is also wise to keep them all organized. You want it to be clearly categorized so you can find it easily. Invest in folders and labels to keep things clean and legible. Once three years have passed, it is acceptable to throw away the rest of the documents. It will, of course, be complicated to access them if you travel and need access to these documents. Protect your family and give them peace of mind when you create a legacy drawer in your home. Find out what documents you include and how to organize them. Confusion about who should be responsible when a loved one is hospitalized and unable to communicate can make a stressful time even more stressful. This can be avoided if you give your health workers copies of your surrogacy and living will.
I tell customers to pass on their medical instructions like Halloween candy – give them to your agents, doctors, and friends. Save them to your family care app. Keep them on your phone and in your glove compartment. Data protection is not so important for these documents. Bank statements: what are they used for? It`s tempting to throw them straight into the nearest trash can as soon as you get them. But not so fast! They are really great for seeing all your monthly transactions in one tidy place. So the next time you get one of these bad guys in the mail, take a few minutes and look for something unusual. Then, store it in a fireproof safe and store it for at least a year. The same goes for all these payslips. You may need it to provide proof of income if you need to make a major purchase or dispute suspicious behavior (such as identity theft). Storing your documents online is very secure as long as you do it correctly. Your best bet with storing important documents is a locker.
Most banks or credit unions offer lockers. Some banks offer a discount if you are also a current customer. However, your annual tax returns should be kept in a safe place forever. Your documents can be shared with anyone with an email address or computer access. If you choose to keep your original documents at home, protect them from fire or flood. A secure wet bag and fireproof safe are more protective than a filing cabinet or your refrigerator (yes, I`ve had clients keep their wills in the fridge). When you lock them, remember that someone needs to have a key or know where the key is kept. Don`t worry, we have the solution for you. But first, let`s talk about what important documents are and why you should keep them. On site You can keep a copy or original of your important documents at your home or office, as long as you choose a secure place to do so. Place them in a waterproof, fireproof box or in a home safe that will protect and recover them in the event of a fire or other disaster. The documents stored here include: insurance policies, deeds, living wills, wills, powers of attorney and escrow documents, as well as a list summarizing what you have for open credit card accounts, other lines of credit, investment and bank accounts, other assets, and any prepaid funeral arrangements or funeral wishes.
When creating new documents, be sure to link the loose ends. Shred or throw away your obsolete documents. Send a declaration of revocation to anyone who owns copies or originals. If you have registered one of these documents, also note the declaration of withdrawal. Ask anyone who has copies to destroy or dispose of the documents in their possession. Online storage is also a great way to secure your physical legal papers, which are kept in a safe at home or in a safe. If you choose this route, it is better to find a solution specifically designed to store important documents, where you can grant access to all major parties. Security and accessibility are the two main factors that determine where to store these originals. Unfortunately, what is often the safest is not always the most accessible.
For example, a safe deposit box in your bank or post office is a good place to store some items, but not your original documents (copies are fine). Without a key and permission to open the box, your loved ones will not be able to receive the documents. It won`t do them much good if you`re unable to work and they can`t access a living will or power of attorney in the box. If you are deceased and they think your box contains a will, funeral instructions, funeral deed, life insurance policy or similar, they may be able to ask the court to open it. But it`s always a headache. You need to keep your home securely locked and hidden somewhere in your home so that a thief can`t find it easily, making it very safe. These statistics show how important it is to keep your desk clean and tidy. The need for organization is even greater if you regularly deal with legal documents. Due to the highly sensitive information contained in these documents, the loss of such a document can have serious consequences.
No matter where you want to store your documents, keep a list of where they are and how you can access them.