[JD86]

Thanks, Miss Marple. My post has two intentions. To get Freepers to think about the issue for themselves as you are doing...and for suggestions for me. Lots of great ideas so far.

[zip]

1)List of advisors and contact information. (atty, cpa, etc)
2)Personal documents (marriage license, military discharge, etc)
3)Financial documents (deeds, investment accounts, debts)
4)Estate documents (will, durable power of atty, living will)
5)Final Arrangements (funeral, special donations, people to notify)

I know there are many FReepers that have more detailed suggestions but these may help get them started.

[ZDaphne]

Regarding the post from Ms. Marple re: heirlooms. I am making sure that the heirlooms left to me by my mother go to my blood relatives and not inlaws. As a result, I am adding a codicil listing each item and who it goes to "as his/her sole and separate property" -- thus circumventing the community property pitfall. This will protect the property, should your heir predecease his or her mate, if you also state who should get the heirloom(s) if your heir is not living at the time of your death.

[LUVYA DUBYA 2000]

I have a couple of thoughts on this. My mother inlaw passed away just before Thanksgiving. We knew she had made all of the arrangements for cremation ahead of time. What no one knew before we set down with the mortuary is...NO SERVICES OF ANY KIND.... We were not prepared for this at all. We did Honor her wishes but some of her children and grandchildren are having a very difficult time not having any closure. Please do not do this to your family, At least tell them ahead of time if that is to be the case.

Above all else if you have promised something to someone or given something to someone please put it in writing so there are no questions latter. Grandma gave the same thing to several different people at different times and there is no verification of any of it. Bank accounts will be frozen!! Make sure enough cash is available to cover funeral costs. If at all possible go threw anything that has been passed down in the family and write out a history of that Item. My Mom saved a pair of baby shoes for each of her five children, only problem was none of them were marked we had no idea whos shoes were whos, So it makes them almost worthless.