Philip W. Boyko Estate Planning Law Blog on Lawyers.com

It's never too soon to organize your financial records - and store them in the right places.  In the evnt of your death, your loved ones will have access to all your assets.  Think about purchasing a fireproof strongbox for home or office storage.  make sure your spouse or executor knows its location and how to gain access.  How about a safe-deposit box at a bank to secure all original legal documents, financial instruments, at least 4 years of tax returns, and any personal mementos or valuables?

Here's a checklist of those records and items you should consider including:

1. list with your name, date of birth, SSN, birthplace, military service dates, marriages, divorces, etc.
2. names, addresses, and phone/fax numbers of your executor, person with power of attorney, or health care administrator.
3. same for lawyer, accountant, banker, trustee, broker and financial advisor.
4. same for lenders' and borrowers' and copies of the loan documents.
5. account numbers and institution names, contacts, addresses, and phone/fax numbers for: (i) savings, (ii) checking, (iii) brokerage, (iv) mutual funds, (v) home equity accounts, (vi) IRA's, Keogh's, SEP's, (vii) life insurance policies, (viii) legal agreements, (ix) safe deposit box number and key location, (x) birth certificate, (xi) marriage certificate/divorce decree, (xii) real estate deeds, (xiii) auto titles, and (xiv) cemetary deed and burial instructions.