It seems like in any direction you turn we are hearing about floods, tornados, fires and other disasters that are wrecking individuals’ homes and lives.  If you had ten minutes or less to leave your house with the potential of never being able to return or returning to a pile of rubble, would you know what to take?

Do you know where your insurance papers, Social Security cards, marriage and birth certificates, statements reflecting assets and loan information?  What about information regarding retirement benefits available?  Tax returns for the past few years?  Where is your passport or resident card?  Where is your will?  Who is your attorney and your financial advisor?  How about copies of power of attorneys and health care proxies?  Are their individuals who are aware of current doctors?  How about a copy of your driver’s license and all the contents of your wallet in case it is lost or stolen?

Get your financial house in order.  You should have all your “important documents” in one folder or box that you can easily grab and go without having to search through piles of paperwork.  A fireproof box would be advisable.

You should have a second copy of all those important documents in a location other than your house.  Keep them at a friend’s house, at a family member’s house, at your attorneys’ or at your office.  It is preferable that you would have this information located somewhere that is not local to you in case there is a town-wide incidence.

A safe deposit box is an option.  Remember though with your death, it may mean that individuals cannot get into this box until an executor/personal representative has the necessary proof for the bank.  This might be a good place for a third set.

Speaking of financial security raises two other issues:

Do you have an inventory of the contents of your house?  This can be a written inventory or an inventory of pictures.  Something to provide to an insurance company as proof of you claim.  It will be so hard to remember everything that is in your house if it is completely destroyed.  To get maximum benefit for your claim you need to be able to supply the insurance company with information.  Take digital photos, write a list, or use a camcorder – whatever works for you.   Again, store a copy of to take with you if you have time in a disaster, and have one or more copies offsite.

And finally – do you have that will in place?  If you have no will in place – then the state where you live decides how your possessions are divided.  That may mean some going to an estranged wife, to parents who do not need it, or to siblings that you do not speak to.  And much of it to attorneys to get the issue resolved.

If you have not named guardians for minor children they may not go to live where you would chose.  They may not be able to stay together.  Do you really want the government making your final decisions?  If you cannot afford an attorney there are simple will templates that you can use on line or can purchase at an office supply or book store.  These may not deal with all the issues you need to resolve, but it is a start.  The preferable method is to see an attorney to make sure all information is complete and as you wish.  To keep costs down, go in knowing what you want.  A simple will may only cost you $300 to $400.

Get yourself organized! Do not procrastinate!  You never know when the next disaster may occur and if it will affect you.