Dear Organizer:

My husband and I don’t agree on where to keep our valuable papers.  He says that our current safe deposit box at the bank is the best solution. I would like to keep our papers at home in a fireproof safe so we have access to them when needed.  What do you recommend as the best location and do you have a checklist that you use regarding what needs to be kept this way?  I enjoy reading your column. Thank you!

~Dalton reader

Greeting to you in Dalton:

I welcome the chance to write about the importance of keeping valuable papers and items properly.  Important legal and financial documents and other items that would be difficult  to replace should be safely protected.

As to which of the two spots mentioned is the best option, that is truly a personal ‘peace of mind’ preference. This,of course, is assuming that your home fire resistant safe is of the highest quality and has passed all tests.  A home safe securely bolted to the floor or wall is recommended.  Since it seems that you and your husband have different comfort levels regarding storage of these shared items, perhaps you might consider using both storage spots. I don’t often recommend duplicate efforts but when it comes to peace of mind, I am ALL for it!

If this sounds like a solution to you and your spouse, block off some time on your calendar to visit your bank box. Take a moment in the private cubicle to create a Master List of the items currently in your safe deposit box. Allow yourself enough time that day to take those items and photocopy everything.  Return to the bank with your two stacks. One stacks being the original documents and the second stack, the copies. Back in the cubicle, begin sorting.

Decide which originals you would like to keep at your fingertips in your firebox at home (passports and car titles are good examples).

Place the photocopies of those items in your bank deposit box.

Originals, such as your birth certificates, trusts and military discharge papers could be kept in the bank box. It’s your choice.  Place the photocopies of the originals that will stay at the bank in your home firebox pile. When finished, you will have two complete sets in each spot.

Absolute must: While you are still at the bank be sure to indicate on your Master List where each Original Document is housed. Remember to revise and maintain your Master List as content changes.

Here’s something to think about as you are sorting. Upon the death of the box holder, a box may be sealed for some time (possibly weeks or months) until it is opened by a court order. In the meantime, survivors may not have access to the contents. Talk with you bank about this possibility and other options. Consider keeping the originals of these 4 types of papers in your home firebox.

-Cemetery Deeds

-Insurance Policies

-Marriage Certificates

-Wills

Make the time to check with your legal advisor regarding how they have stored your legal document or iginals. More peace of mind.

A good guideline of important papers to be stored safely follows:

Marriage, Birth, Death certificates

Settlement and Divorce Papers

Last Will and Testament

Trust papers, Living Will, Powers of Attorney

Social Security Documents

Insurance Policies

Cemetery Deeds

Adoption,custody,citizenship papers

Military Discharge papers

Passports

Property deeds, motor vehicle titles

Stocks and bond certificates

Savings Bonds

Home Inventory List, including photos or a video

Home Computer backups

Valuable jewelry certificates/receipts/pictures of items/appraisals

List of Important Numbers –Bank Accounts

What’s in your wallet?

Photocopies of drivers license and

credit cards (front and back for 800 #)

I hope you never have to use that last one. I guarantee you will kiss the paper copies if you do have to retrieve them.

Absolute must: Don’t forget to reward yourself for all of you efforts. Perhaps a visit to the Dalton Dari-Ette for a milkshake or cone? That is one of my favorite spots when I treat myself. You live so close. Luck you