Hospice of South Texas focuses on improving the quality of life for those living with end stage serious illness. Our care extends to the families of our patients ensuring their emotional wellbeing as they cope with the illness of their loved one. Our care journeys with them through the stages of illness onto the passing of their loved one and beyond into grief support.
Understanding your loved one’s affairs may not be a conversation any of us want, yet it is an important one if you want to save yourself and your family from future overwhelming stress. Here is a great check list on how to plan ahead.
How You Should Prepare
Planning includes access to the following information:
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA
[ ] Address
[ ] Parents’ Name
[ ] Mother’s Maiden Name
[ ] Nationality
[ ] Place of Birth
[ ] Education Level
[ ] Place of Employment
[ ] Military Service
[ ] Religion
RETIREMENT PLANNING DOCUMENTS
[ ] Financial Planner – name and number
[ ] Money Management Firm – name, contact, online portfolio passwords
[ ] Annuity
[ ] IRA
[ ] 401 K
[ ] SEP
[ ] Roth
[ ] Pension and Profit Sharing Statements
[ ] Employee Benefit Programs
[ ] Deferred compensation and stock option agreements
IMPORTANT PAPERS
[ ] Birth Certificate
[ ] Marriage Certificate
[ ] Social Security Card
TAX DOCUMENTS
[ ] Accounting Firm
[ ] Income Tax Records
[ ] W-2
[ ] Recent Pay Stub
[ ] Current Year Tax Documents
FINANCIAL
[ ] Checking accounts
[ ] Savings account
[ ] Investment accounts
[ ] Auto Drafts
[ ] Loan documents
[ ] Business and/or partnership agreements
[ ] Credit cards
[ ] Bitcoin
[ ] Deed and Titles
[ ] Mortgage and Notes
[ ] Safety Deposit Boxes
[ ] Automatic Draft Payments
INSURANCE DOCUMENTS
[ ] Life
[ ] Medical
[ ] Homeowners
[ ] Auto
[ ] Disability
[ ] Long term care
ESTATE PLANNING
[ ] Funeral Wishes
[ ] Last Will & Testament
[ ] Durable powers of attorney and health care powers
[ ] Living trusts
[ ] Endowments
[ ] Value of prized possessions (artwork, antiques, jewelry, coin collations, etc.)
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
[ ] Social Security Numbers
[ ] Passwords
Computer
Smart Phone
Online Memberships
Internet
Social Media
Cable /Streaming TV Channels
Security Systems
[ ] Paid Memberships (YMCA, gyms, associations)
[ ] Keys to house, storage units, cars
Though never a conversation we look forward to, you may be surprised at the peace of mind it will provide your loved one and yourself. Our loved ones would always choose to alleviate any unnecessary future stress that they could. Everyone will rest better knowing that the other has that much less to worry about later.
Being prepared will help you feel more empowered to handle their affairs and enable you to focus on celebrating and honoring the joy of their life. For support, resources, or answers, contact us through this form or call our Victoria office at 361.572.4300 or our Hallettsville office at 361.798.2077.