Experts in estate planning say that people who make efforts to protect their valuables, like jewelry, often fail to take the same measures for their personal property and important papers such as estate planning documents.

As we know all too well in Arizona, a fire can happen at any time, and depending upon where you live, floods, earthquakes and tornados can also quickly destroy personal property and documents.

To protect valuable records from unexpected devastation, experts suggest that you make copies of all your significant documents. This would include past tax returns, birth certificates for the entire family, deeds, loans and insurance policies. Using a scanner can allow you to make electronic documents that can be uploaded to your offsite computer data storage provider. If preferred, you can put electronic copies of documents onto a CD. Paper copies of your records or a CD of the records need to be stored in a secure offsite location.

The majority of your personal records can be held in safety deposit box. Estate planning documents should be stored where they can be easily retrieved by your appointed executor or agent.

Make an inventory listing of all your possessions. Photograph or make a video record of your belongings with a special focus on items of value. Be sure to take pictures of the contents of any drawers in addition to items of value in your garage or garden shed. Store these photos or videos in the safe deposit box along with your inventory list and any receipts you may have. Digital images and video can be uploaded to your offsite computer data storage provider.

Experts recommend updating your records every year.

Source: Boston.com "Safeguard valuable records" Jill Boynton, June 20, 2011