Where to Keep Important Documents

 It would help if you kept the following documents in a secure location in your home:

• Copies of wills and trusts
• Copies of living wills and powers of attorneys
• Income tax returns

These documents kept in a bank safety deposit box:

• Original wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
• Marriage certificates, birth certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates
• Deeds and car titles
• Military discharge papers
• Any stock or bond certificates
• Citizenship papers
• Insurance policies

Consider giving these items to your attorney, executor and/or spouse:

• A living will/medical power of attorney (the original should to the agent named in the document)
• Copies of wills, trust agreements, powers of attorney
• Inventory of insurance and investments
• List of professional advisors (attorney, accountant, insurance agent, etc.)
• Access information to the safety deposit box
• Funeral instructions