The beginning of a new year is as good a time as any to review your estate plan. More specifically, it is important to make sure all your affairs are in order from an administrative point of view. As part of your estate plan it is important that you make sure that inter alia the following documents are easily available:
Checklist of important estate planning documents for safekeeping
- The original Last Will and Testament
- Identity document
- Marriage certificate, and antenuptial contract (if applicable)
- Divorce and maintenance orders (if applicable)
- Copies of inter vivos trust deed(s) and Letters of Authority (if applicable)
- Banking accounts
- Every account should be listed indicating the name of the bank, account number and name on the account
- List all credit cards and account numbers and where they can be found
- Sources of income
- Loan agreements /Acknowledgement of debt
- Salary details
- Group life, pension or provident fund details
- Profit sharing arrangements
- Details of insurance
- Buy and Sell insurance policy and agreement (if applicable)
- Accident insurance (if applicable)
- All policies of insurance including life insurance and short term
- insurance- policy name, type and number (portfolio statement)
- Name, address and telephone number of insurance agent
- Medical aid
- Income tax
- Income tax number and location of previous assessments
- Documents for the current year of assessment
- Capital gains tax valuations
- Name, address and telephone number of accountant or tax practitioner
- Investments
- List of securities or shares held, name on certificate, its number, location and number of shares held
- Motor vehicle
- Where to find car registration and other papers
- If subject to finance, then details of finance agreement
- House
- Title deed if house is unencumbered (otherwise bondholder will hold the
- title deed)
- Bond holder – name of institution and bond account number
- Lease agreement – if renting
- Other assets
- Timeshare certificates
- Loan account in an inter vivos trust
- Acknowledgement of debt in estate planner’s favour
- Details of any usufruct or fideicommissum interest
- Liabilities
- A list of all liabilities
- List bank and branch details, account numbers and monthly payments
- Full names, addresses and telephone numbers of creditors
- The living Will (if there is one)
Should you wish to review your estate plan please do not hesitate to contact our offices for professional assistance in this regard.
