HML 665

Rep. November 1995

VALUABLE PAPERS INVENTORY

Valuable papers are important documents that are needed at various times during ones life for various reasons. For example, a birth certificate is used to prove age when starting school, obtaining a drivers license, or applying for Social Security benefits. record and a charge for locating and providing you the certificate. For specific information on a needed record, write and inquire about current costs and request the necessary application forms. For information on obtaining records from other states, write the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009 and ask for the leaflet, Where to Write for Vital Papers. There is a small fee for the leaflet. Once all important papers for your family have been obtained, complete the valuable papers inventory. Be certain to include all papers noted and add others that might be appropriate to your family situation.

FILE IT, FIND IT

IDENTIFYING VALUABLE PAPERS

Valuable papers are those needed to prove certain events or actions actually occurred. Such papers can be sorted into two types: those needed for day-to-day use and those needed only occasionally. Examples of valuable papers used frequently include drivers license, credit cards, health insurance card, identification card, and special health concerns such as allergies, disabling conditions, and blood type. Examples of valuable papers used occasionally include documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates; deeds; leases; contracts; wills; insurance policies; military papers; divorce decrees; securities; and Social Security papers. Valuable papers are any important papers related to the business of your family which would be difficult or time-consuming to replace.

KEEP YOUR VALUABLE PAPERS INVENTORY UP-TO-DATE

A valuable papers inventory can be a useful tool in managing your familys financial affairs. In the event you become ill and cannot handle your personal business or upon your death, a valuable papers inventory can prevent confusion, delay, and loss of money. The inventory also provides a guide for the location of all of your familys important records. In addition, it is helpful in the preparation of wills and other legal documents. For maximum use, the inventory must be kept current. The best policy is to make adjustments as changes occur. In any event, at least once a year the valuable papers inventory needs to be carefully reviewed and changes noted. Be certain to share updated information with appropriate family members or close friends. Make at least three copies of your valuable papers inventory - one for your home file, one for your bank safe deposit box, and one for the person you have designated to handle your affairs in case of disability or at death.

ORGANIZING VALUABLE PAPERS

It is important for you and your family to have access to necessary valuable papers. One way to do this is to maintain an inventory of all important family records. Use the valuable papers inventory forms in this publication to compile a record of your familys important papers. If papers noted in the inventory cannot be located, replacements need to be obtained immediately. Most papers must be replaced by the issuing agency or organization. For example, a divorce decree must come from the county in which it was granted; birth, marriage, and death certificates can usually be obtained from the office of vital statistics in the capital city of the state where the event occurred. In South Carolina, write the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Office of Vital Records and Public Health Statistics, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. There are different forms to be completed for each

STORING VALUABLE PAPERS

Valuable papers should be sorted and stored in one of three places - your wallet, a home file, or a bank safe deposit box. For additional information on storing important family papers, ask for Extension publication, File It, Find It: Important Records, HM Leaflet 666.

VALUABLE PAPERS INVENTORY

Family Name Address

Date Record Started

Date(s) Revised

Family Record List names of all family members including children married and/or living away from home. Under comments, note special health concerns, where marriage was recorded, and other pertinent information.

NAME

DATE OF BIRTH

WHERE BIRTH RECORDED

COMMENTS

HUSBAND WIFE CHILDREN & ADDRESSES

Close Relative or Friend People to notify in case of serious emergencies

NAME ADDRESS & TELEPHONE NUMBER

Power of Attorney If you have given someone the legal power to act for you in case conditions make you unable to handle your own affairs, indicate below.

NAME

ADDRESS & TELEPHONE NUMBER

Family Advisers
NAME ADDRESS & TELEPHONE NUMBER

CLERGY

DOCTOR

DENTIST

ACCOUNTANT

BANKER

BROKER

INSURANCE AGENTS

ATTORNEY

FINANCIAL PLANNER/ADVISER

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED IN WILL

TRUSTEE

OTHER

Family Social Security Numbers

NAME NUMBER CARD LOCATION

Drivers Licenses
NAME NUMBER

Insurance Policies
#1 #2 #3 #4

TYPE OF INSURANCE

COMPANY

POLICY NUMBER

POLICY AMOUNT

LOAN AMOUNT

NAME OF INSURED

BENEFICIARY

POLICY LOCATION

LOCAL AGENT

Banking Services
NAME, ADDRESS, & TELEPHONE NUMBER OF FINANCIAL FIRM ACCOUNT NUMBER IN WHOSE NAME

CHECKING ACCOUNTS

SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT

MONEY MARKET

TRUST ACCOUNTS

SAFE DEPOSIT BOX

BANK CREDIT CARDS

OTHER

Credit Card Accounts

NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER ACCOUNT/CARD NUMBER WHOSE NAME

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COMPANY OR PERSON OWED AND ADDRESS AMOUNT PURCHASE DATE PAYMENT AMOUNT FINAL PAYMENT DUE WHERE RECORDS KEPT

Debts (Money You Owe)

DESCRIPTION

Real Estate (Include Cemetery Plots)

LOCATION AND/OR DESCRIPTION PURCHASE DATES PURCHASE PRICE MORTGAGE AMOUNT AND HOLDER RECORD LOCATION

TYPE

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SERIAL NUMBER DATE PURCHASED PURCHASE PRICE COMMENTS/NOTES (OWNER, NO. OF SHARES, ETC.)

Investments

NAME OF ASSET

STOCKS/BONDS

MUTUAL FUNDS

ANNUITIES

RETIREMENT PLANS

Vehicles
ENGINE # OR SERIAL # PURCHASE PRICE IN WHOSE NAME LIEN HOLDER LOAN AMOUNT WHERE PAPERS KEPT

MAKE

YEAR AND MODEL

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Other Personal Property Include boat, mobile home, special pieces of jewelry, antiques, books, collections, etc.
DATE ACQUIRED PURCHASE PRICE OR VALUE

NAME OF ASSET

COMMENTS

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Payments Due Us
COMPANY OR PERSON OWING AND ADDRESS AMOUNT LOAN DATE PAYMENT AMOUNT FINAL PAYMENT DUE WHERE RECORDS KEPT

ITEM OR DESCRIPTION

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Other Important Papers Provide exact information on location, include specific room, piece of furniture, and drawer location.

Adoption papers Appliance guarantees/ warranties Appliance use & care booklets Baptismal records Birth certificates Citizenship papers Death certificates Divorce papers Educational records Employment records Family history & photos Funeral directions Health records Household inventory

Income & expense records Income tax records Marriage certificate Military records Net worth statement Passport papers Patents, copyrights Pension Records Record of home improvements Safe deposit box inventory Safe deposit box key Will & instructions

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Notes

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File It, Find It leaflets, a component of the Life Cycle Planning Program, are offered to help individuals and families get control of their resources as they plan for financial security throughout their lifetimes.

The following leaflets are available: HM 664 Household Inventory HM 665 Valuable Papers Inventory HM 666 Important Records HM 667 Home Filing System

Prepared by: Joyce H. Christenbury, C.H.E., Extension Family Resource Management Specialist

Printed on recycled paper with soy ink

The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or disability and is an equal opportunity employer. Clemson University Cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture, South Carolina Counties, Extension Service, Dan O. Ezell, Interim Director, Clemson, S.C. Issued in Furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914

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