Maintaining financial records or Documents systematically is very important not just in our lifetime, but also our legal heirs when they get down to sorting what we leave behind. Make a list of your important financial and personal details, file and keep them in a safe place... Here are these 5 important things which everyone should maintain systematically.
Insurance policies: Maintain a list of all the insurance policies that you have. These would include health, life, vehicle, personal and other policies. Keep them handy in one place. If you bought these through any Advisor or Advisors, then add your advisor's phone number in each of these policy documents
Cheque books, bank details: Even if you won’t use your cheque book it is still an important instrument. If your legal heirs wish to close a few of your bank accounts, it helps if they can surrender old cheque books and debit cards. Keep a list of all your bank account numbers and make sure your family members know where you’ve kept them
Bank lockers: Many of us have bank lockers to store important documents and jewellery. Many do not choose to inform their families about its existence during their lifetime. That’s fine, but making a note of it is important so that it can be found after we’re gone.
Investments: Either maintain an excel sheet with your investment details handy, or keep physical records of your consolidated account statements or Demat statements. This book-keeping ensures that the distribution of your assets happen effectively and not a penny leaks out.
Property records: Property is prone to encroachment or wear and tear if left ignored for long. Keep records of exact addresses and home buyer agreements handy. Also keep the original share certificates of your apartment in any co-operative society handy. If it’s a plot of land, then you need a record of the property card. It’s easy to get a duplicate common account statement from a mutual fund or a depository or a duplicate bank passbook. But to get a duplicate home buyer agreement is a time-consuming exercise.
Source: moneycontrol.com
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