How To Keep All Your Financial Accounts & Assets Neatly Organized

Don’t let disorganization become one of your biggest money problems.

It’s easy to lose or misplace money. But unlike finding $20 in an old jacket, what if a bank or investment account containing thousands goes untouched for years because you forgot about it or never told anyone it existed?

For various financial accounts, holdings, investments, loans, tax returns, and other arrangements, you need to gather account information and relevant contacts. If you’re wondering why it’s worth taking the time to get all this info in one place, just think of the people you love. By organizing your financial and legal documents, if something happens to you it may be easier for your family to:

Apply for and claim benefits

Get through the probate process
Close bank accounts
Pay any final estate or income taxes

Financial Accounts

First, you need to determine all the types of accounts you have. Here’s a comprehensive list to get you started:

Checking
Savings
Money Market
Certificate of Deposit (CD)
401(k)
403(b)
IRA
Roth IRA
529/College Savings
Pension Plan
Investments
Business Interests/Stock Options
Trust Fund
Valuable Assets
Other

After you’ve identified all the accounts you have, here’s the information you need to gather for each. Tip: The details for each account or asset may vary, so just pointing a person you trust in the right direction -- like giving them the name of your financial professional -- can be super helpful.

Name of Financial Institution

Account Number
PIN Number
Personal Contact (if applicable)
Location of Relevant Documentation/Statements
Online Account Login Info
Additional Details

Credit Cards

Variety of Card (example: Gold, SkyMiles, Amazon Rewards)
Last Four Digits
Expiration Date
Location of Statements/Online Account Login Info

Tax Returns

How do you prepare your taxes? (You could answer this question out loud but that won't really do anything. Except maybe scare the cat. So consider keeping track of it.)

If you use a Financial Planner/Accountant

Share the name and contact info of this professional.

If you do your own taxes using Software or an Online Service

What software/service do you use? How do you login to this account?

No Matter What: Consider telling someone you trust where you keep your past tax returns! If something happens to you, these might be an ideal financial blueprint for people in your life to understand your estate.

Safe Deposit Box

Keeping important documents (deed to your house, insurance policies) and valuable items (heirlooms, jewelry) safe is smart. Not giving someone access in case something happens to you can possibly turn into a long detour through the courts.

This is especially troubling if you kept your Will or other important documents your family might need in a safe deposit box. Solution: Check with the bank where you’re renting a box and name a designee or whatever they might refer to this person as.

Now, onto the details you should consider sharing:

Name of the Bank
Branch Location
Account Number
Box Number
Key Location
Authorized User Contact Info (if applicable)
Additional Details & Instructions

Loans

Don’t let any loans your family and loved ones are unaware of sneak up on them. Keep track of the following info and once the loan is paid off feel free to mark it “PAID” and celebrate.

Type of Loan: Line of Credit | Personal Loan | Student Loan | Other

Financial Institution
Account Number
Related Documents (example: original loan agreement, invoices)

Keep Your Plan Up-To-Date

Do your best to make sure all of the stuff listed above is neatly organized, updated, and shared.

Important Disclosures

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

This article was prepared by Beyondly, Inc.

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