Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To [Paperback]

Melanie Cullen (Author), Shae Irving (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2005 | Series: Get It Together

Everyone has important paperwork — but not everyone is prepared to find it. Whether readers need to organize records for themselves or their survivors, Get It Together shows them how.

Designed for ease of use by both readers and their survivors, Get It Together helps them track down:

• instructions for survivors • final arrangements • estate planning documents • employment records • insurance policies • tax records • retirement accounts • government benefits • real estate records • and much more

A CD-ROM lets them fill out the workbook on their computers — so they can simply print their work and put it in a binder. Contains legal and practical guidance for each of the topics covered, including the following: § Personal Letter to Survivors- § Final Arrangements: Organ Donation; Burial or Cremation; § Funerals and Memorial Services- § Employment Records-Government Benefits-Real Estate § Practical Instructions for Survivors-Obituary-Insurance Policies-Credit Cards and Other Debts- § Business Interests Biographical Information- § Will and Trusts-Tax Records-Secured Places and Passwords-Vehicles § Health Care Directives-Children and Other Dependents § Bank and Brokerage Accounts-Memberships-Additional Personal Property § Durable Power of Attorney for Finances-Pets and Livestock- § Retirement Accounts and Pension Plans- § Service Providers-Other Important Information And much more

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A book that is essential for everyone.... Tells you exactly what information you must record and how often toupdate it." -- Portland Observer

...consider storing your instructions ina home safe, and makesure your executor or someoneelse you trust knows where to findit. -- USA Today

Ms. Cullen [recommends using]a planner to list all those bills deducted automatically from your bank account or by credit card. -- San Francisco Chronicle

…offers a detailed, step-by-step process for gathering records and key documents and organizing them for future use… -- Sacramento Bee

Review

"Offers a detailed, step-by-step process for gathering records and key documents and organizing them for future use." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Nolo; Bk&CD-Rom edition (March 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413301053
• ISBN-13: 978-1413301052
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,512,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

172 of 174 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Covered All The Bases...And More, January 24, 2007

By 

Scott A. Jefferis (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To (Paperback)

I bought this book thru Amazon in June 2006 because of my experiences working with a close friend who had just lost his father rather unexpectedly. My friend faced a monstrous task of trying to track down his father's assets, business records, last will, credit accounts, etc. just to scratch the surface. As a participant in his frustration, I began to think about the arrangement of my personal life and how my loved ones would tend to my estate.

"Get It Together" brings so much to the table to deal with. I think most people refuse to face their mortality and the task of making such arrangements, let alone there really is a large volume of papers, decisions, conversations, and organization to be handled. GIT is very thorough in all topic areas (see Table of Contents). The book discusses the emotions involved with each topic area, numerous websites to obtain additional information, what to get a copy of, keeping the info current and arranging your "estate" or life, for that matter, to benefit those close to you.

My parents or other people I look up to would never or be highly uncomfortable discussing these topics in detail. This book is perfect to compensate for the lack of those conversations. Now, just a warning for those willing to purchase and conform to this book. I was quite diligent in following all their instructions and recommendations to the "t". It took longer than expected, about 12 weekends, until I had gathered and organized everything to my satisfaction and I don't have a wife, kids or other complicated situations...just me alone.

But I have such a peace of mind that my successors will have no trouble making decisions or tracking down stuff because it's all there with explicit directions from me. I find going forward that I try to keep my life organized in a simple fashion and refuse to take on unnecessary stuff that I will need to add to my planner. And I feel no stress at all looking at my desk now because all the meaningless clutter is gone and GIT was a big reason for that.

Finally, the greatest resource is the forms CD included with the book, which saves a great deal of time when the organizing process starts and got me unstuck in some areas.

66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To by Melanie Cullen, May 27, 2006

By 

Kate (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To (Paperback)

My mother died suddenly and left her estate in a total mess. I was left shocked, grief-stricken and alone in struggling to make sense of what needed to be done. I wouldn't wish that ordeal on anyone let alone on those I love. This workbook and companion organizer is the perfect solution. Nothing will be left to guesswork if I am incapacitated or dead. It is thorough yet simply organized and written from a compassionate perspective. It is a gift of love to provide this kind of direction to those who must make decisions on your behalf.

60 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caring and Compassionate, May 16, 2006

By 

Evelyn Crabtree (Auburn, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To (Paperback)

Melanie Cullen has approached a very difficult topic with insight and compassion. Starting with the Letter to Loved Ones, Health Care Directives, Funeral and Memorial Services, through various chapters on the disposition of assets - including Pets and Livestock - she offers helpful guidance in a straightforward, friendly manner. Whether you already have everything together or haven't a clue where to start, "Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To" is an excellent guide that will make it easier for your loved ones to help in the event that you are incapacitated, or to manage your estate when you are gone. The forms in the book and on the CD can be easily organized and updated in the companion Planner. A must read for everyone!