Information that is difficult or impossible to replace should be stored in a safe-deposit box or fireproof, waterproof, burglar-proof home safe.
Examples: Birth certificates, wills, real estate deeds, Record of Important Papers, household property inventory, back-up copies of other important papers
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If there’s more than one responsible adult in your household, you can share record-keeping and bill-paying duties as long as you both agree who will complete certain tasks in a timely manner and communicate regularly about what’s been done.
In many households, one adult may be better-suited to record-keeping and financial tasks. If that’s the situation in your household, be sure to keep other family members informed and to show them — or a trusted friend — where your records …
Birth and death certificates—typically prepared by physicians, funeral directors, other professional attendants, or hospital authorities—are permanently filed in the central vital statistics office of the state, city, or outlying area where the event occurred. Often, they’re kept by the state health department. To replace a birth or death certificate for a person who was born or died in your state, contact the main office of your county government and ask where the vital records are kept, or click on http://vitalrec.com/usmap.html…
An Application for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Document (Form N-565) is used to request citizenship and naturalization papers. You can download it from http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=a910cac09aa5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD.
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Next: Driver’s license >>
Lesson Contents
I. Introduction
II. How to Get Organized
III. Organize Important Papers
Go to http://www.dmv.org/drivers-license.php to view information about your state’s driver’s license laws. If you prefer, contact the office responsible for motorized vehicles in your county or state. You may be asked for a birth certificate (or two other forms of identification with your full name and date of birth) as well as for a fee.
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For copies of federal income tax returns, call the nearest office of the Department of the Treasury or Internal Revenue Service and ask for Form 4506 (Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Form). To speak with an IRS representative, call 800-829-1040.
You can reach the Taxpayer Advocate Service by calling 877-777-4778. See Publication 1546 (“The Taxpayer Advocate Service of the IRS”).
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Lesson Contents
I. Introduction
II. How to Get Organized
III.
It can be extremely distressing when important household papers are lost, stolen, or destroyed. Take heart in knowing that you are neither the first nor the last to face the problem of replacing important papers.
Many household records are replaceable—some quite easily. For example, your insurance company can send you another copy of your insurance policies, and the institution that holds your checking account can usually send you copies of cancelled checks. However, replacing some important papers may be costly …
To replace lost or destroyed insurance policies, contact the agent or company that provided you with the coverage. You may need to complete a form (including the policy number), pay a fee for duplicate copies, or both.
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Acknowledgments
Legally Secure Your Financial Future is a self-study curriculum to help you organize your important papers, communicate your wishes about legal and other issues, and prepare your financial affairs.
Content development by:
Marilyn C. Bischoff, M.S., Team Leader
Extension Professor and Family Economics Specialist
University of Idaho Extension
Boise, ID
Joanne Bankston, Ph.D.
Family Economics and Management Specialist
Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program
Frankfort, KY
Elizabeth E. Gorham, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Extension Family Resource Management …
Material in this web site is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. Rather, it is designed to help families become better acquainted with some of the devices used in estate planning and to create an awareness of the need for such planning. Future changes in laws cannot be predicted, and statements within this lesson, fact sheets and learning activities are based solely upon those laws in force on the last revised date of the web site or …
