Digital Age Estate Organizing Tips

We hear so much about the importance of creating a will or a trust, and financial and medical powers of attorney, but it is just as crucial that we inform our trusted designee where our important records can be found in case of our incapacity or passing. The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) wants to share some tips to help you to manage your important papers and information in this information age.
It’s a good idea to give your financial power of attorney the following:

1. A list of websites for banking, credit cards, utilities, etc.

2. Your user names and passwords

3. Answers to secret questions so that they can gain access to and manage your finances

4. Information as to where your financial software can be found

5. Details as to where and how the data is backed up


Additionally, access to your important records should only be given to individuals you trust whom also have the necessary Internet and computer skills.

In this digital age finding our records has become more difficult because they are increasingly stored online or on computers, usually user name/password protected, with minimal paper records being kept. For more organizing tips, visit http://www.napomichigan.com/.

Article submitted by Chapter member, Mal Hillman.