Having all of your paperwork up to date and in one place will make it easier if a family member has to help you with financial and legal matters. Important documents might include:
- birth, marriage, divorce and citizenship certificates
- financial documents such as bank and credit card information, details of investments (e.g. shares, funds) or any safe deposit boxes
- Centrelink and Medicare details
- list of social media and other online accounts
- superannuation and insurance information
- loan details (e.g. house, car) and house title/lease documents
- passport
- will
- document appointing a substitute decision-maker
- advance care directive
- funeral information, including any funeral insurance or any prearrangements you have made.
It’s a good idea to check or update who you have nominated as beneficiaries on your superannuation and life insurance policies. Let someone close to you know how to contact your lawyer.
Listen to our podcast series for people affected by advanced cancer
Dr Megan Ritchie, Staff Specialist Palliative Medicine, Palliative Care Service, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; Gabrielle Asprey, Cancer Support Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Rosemary Cavanough, Consumer; Louise Durham, Nurse Practitioner, Metro South Palliative Care Service, QLD; Tracey Gardner, Senior Psychologist, Cancer Counselling Service, Cancer Council Queensland; Karen Hall, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Linda Nolte, Program Director, Advance Care Planning Australia, VIC; Rowena Robinson, Clinical Advisor, Palliative Care Australia, ACT; Helena Rodi, Program Manager, Advance Care Planning Australia, VIC.
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