Consider the experience of John J. Scroggin, who runs a tax business and estate-planning firm in Atlanta. His father, who died in 2001, wanted to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington. “I called Arlington and they told me I needed his DD 214 to bury him at the cemetery.” Mr. Scroggin recalled. “I had never heard of a DD 214, but they told me if I could not find it, they would put him in cold storage for six months while they found it.” After a frantic search, “I found Dad’s DD 214 as a bookmark in a book,” he said. The Arlington burial took place. The lesson: Add military discharge papers to the documents you hand over to family members or trusted friends.
A recent article in The New York Times, titled"There’s More to Estate Planning Than Just the Will,"chronicles the experience of Erik A. Dewey, a writer from Tulsa, Okla., who was tasked with sorting through piles of paper and online information when his father died at age 65—just a week from retirement. Dewey compiled everything he learned from the experience into “The Big Book of Everything.” While getting items in order is more urgent for seniors, everyone should do this.
Here are some of the most basic items.
A Will or Living Trust? A will is used to distribute your assets after you die. A living trust makes it possible to transfer your assets to the trust for your benefit during your lifetime, and then to your beneficiaries when you die. In fact, you will read some sources that say a living trust is better than a will. According to the article, however, “The benefits of trusts are overplayed and the disadvantages of probate are exaggerated.” There are some instances when a trust is appropriate. For example, when you have a summer or second home out-of-state or a family business that will continue after you pass. A will might be all you need, but it is best to consult an estate planning attorney.
Health Care Directives. A living will, which is also known as an advance directive, is usually limited to end-of-life decisions like life-prolonging measures. A durable power of attorney for health care, on the other hand, deals with all health care decisions. It lasts only as long as you are incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself.
Power of Attorney. This gives another person the authority to make financial decisions on your behalf. A durable power of attorney allows that person to act even if you become incapacitated.
Your health care proxy should be distributed freely, but make sure that your spouse, your children, and your doctors have a copy of your directives.
Aside from the major legal documents, here are some other recommendations:
- List passwords and logins for everything.
- Keep old tax documents for several years after someone has died.
- Maintain medical histories.
- Detail the companies and services that direct-debit from your bank accounts and credit cards.
The original article also reminds us not to forget some of the everyday items, such as directions for your house alarm, furnace, and sprinkler system, and mention that there is a key to the shed out back.
For more information about estate planning, please visit my estate planning website.
Reference: New York Times (September 5, 2014) "There’s More to Estate Planning Than Just the Will"
