Get Roadmap For Important Papers 2020-2024

Consider storing paper copies of important documents at home in a fireproof and waterproof box or safe, in a bank safe deposit box, or with a trusted friend or relative.

Stop searching high and low for papers and receipts. Instead, an effective way of organizing important documents is to use a lidded file box. Stackable plastic bins are also an option for keeping paperwork in order. Designate an hour each month to sort through the containers to stay organized.

Caring for Your Paper Documents Store papers in a cool, dry, dark environment. Heat and humidity can cause paper to become brittle or moldy, and light can cause fading or yellowing. Store papers in archival containers. Boxes, paper sleeves, folders, or mats should always be preservation quality.

Fireproof Box at Home If the attorney does not offer the service of holding your original documents, or you prefer to hold them yourself, then it is best to place the documents in a fireproof box in your home.

Paper documents should go into a locked location. Crucial items — such as birth and marriage certificates, titles, wills, insurance policies — are candidates for a safe deposit box or fireproof safe. Store the safe “somewhere not obvious in the case of a break-in,” Madison says, and keep digital copies of its contents.