Copies of important documents should be kept offsite the home or office. Freezer compartments of some safety deposit boxes really keep documents intact through a fire. Others prefer to have the documents kept by their lawyers. Others opt to have their documents kept by relatives. These are practical moves although the danger of being burned by fire is not diminished.
What are these important documents?
1. The most important personal documents include birth certificates, marriage contracts and death certificate. Copies may be available from the issuing agencies but securing one takes time. Since these are controlled documents, some states do not give copies to anyone who asks for them.
2. Irreplaceable legal documents contracts and mortgage settlement agreement fall next in the list. Keeping such documents may be helpful, especially when a future lawsuit should arise. Copies of these legal documents may be secured from the courts but, again, securing one would take time.
3. It is good to keep personal copies of tax documents such as income tax returns and inheritance tax payments. Most lenders require the submission of such documents, although these documents may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
4. Pre-need documents that show proof of future claims should also be kept. These documents would include insurance policies, college education plans. Also included in this category are certificates of stocks and bonds and other investment documents.
School records such as diplomas and certificates of graduation should also be kept. These documents are required when applying for a job or enrolling in higher education.