Dear women ~ there have been great changes in my life this year, causing me to re-visit my vital documents. It is good to think about what would happen if something happened to us. This is the list I am working on, and I
thought you may find it helpful as well. It's a bit overwhelming all at once, so take a breath :)

In a 3-ring binder:
1. List your address and the phone number along with directions to your home. (this book is to be kept in your home unless you need to evacuate)
2. immediate family phone numbers and addresses - work, cell, home
3. next kin
4. neighbors
5. Sheriff, Police, Fire Dept, Poison Control Center (even if you have 911)

6. Doctors, medications & dosages, last immunizations (tetnus) Location of hospital, clinic, and ER
7. Veterinarian - name, phone, address. Photos of your pets, latest rabies vaccinations, etc.
8. Insurance policy numbers & contact info for your agents or company Health, Life, Car, Home / Renters
make copies of cards
9. Beneficiaries, checking and savings accounts, investments, mortgage info

10. your address book
11. passwords (perhaps in a sealed envelope - not sure how to do this, but feel that it needs to be included)
12. Financial information - bank accounts, investments, debts, tax records, will, living will, power of attorney, medical PoA (who has access and knowledge?)
13. Maps of your home

Include copies of your:
- birth certificates, passports, drivers license
- marriage / domestic partnership certificates
- recent utility bill (proof of residence)
- car titles
- copies of important photos

If you live someplace you may need to evacuate in emergency, make a list of what you need to take with you. (pet carriers, food, deck of cards, cash, photos, external hard drive :)

Here in the Midwest, we have been reminded this year that we need to think about what we might need in case electricity and gas are no longer available. (Food, water, light, heat - how to get the car out of the garage if the door doesn't open)

This is a process, and as with anything, the trick is to start working on it. Once it is done, it is easy to update annually with tax preparation or another time that works with your schedule each year.