what needs to be on my 'Put my house in order' list?

[winnie09]

I am going through the process of trying to 'put my house in order'. I am afraid I may be missing things. What would you put on such a list?

Putting your house in order, is this financal? Rules for the children? Soring a divorce? Sorry not to sure about what it means but didn't want to leave the post unanswered

At the risk of looking like a complete fool by taking the phrase "put my house in order" literally, on my list is:

• make list of outstanding repairs and start working through them
• Declutter
• Look at problem areas and rethink storage (goes along with decluttering really)
• Make a spring cleaning list and begin to work through it (see me and my lists...procrastination in action )
• Think about what comes into the house and start operating a one in-one out for clothes/toys/books (we have major space problems)

I also need to put my house in order financially but that's a whole new set of lists.

Ivykaty44, thanks for replying. I am post divorce but stupidly after divorce tried a reconciliation that was doomed from the start. He hadn't moved back in but in the year that we'd been back together my entire life seems to have become cluttered. I've concentrated on saving a relationship, working and of course my children. I feel that my life is chaotic and I have little in place if tomorrow someone else has to suddenly take over. I need to rewrite my will (which hasn't been changed since our marraige); I need to write a living will; I need to find a NoK. I also need to write instructions regarding my wishes in the event of my sudden death (i.e don't want to be cremated). I need to clear out all of my parents paperwork (Dad died 7 years ago & Mum died 3 years ago). I need a skip to declutter house. I need to sort out years of my own paperwork. How long do people keep old bills etc? I've probably got stuff going back 15 years . Can anyone think of anything else? I just have this dread suddenly now xh and I are truly over that I don't want anyone to have to deal with the chaos if I am suddenly unable to.

I can help with the financially putting your house in order Good at that one!

shonaspurtle, thanks for your reply. I need to do both really as my last post describes.

I like your one in one out policy

Ok

1. Your will is null and void - as you are now divorced. So go and visit a solicitor and ask to make one.

Your dc father will have residency of the dc regardless of what you put in your will. You need to think about two executors (I would advice against a bank or solicitor) choose two sensible people you know and trust.

You would like to be buried so you will need to think about purchasing a plot of land, you can have the details put in your will.

2. Sorting out your paper work. Keep any banking bills statements for 7 years - get ride of everything before that date.

Gas, electric, water, council keep for three years get rid of everything before that date and get two folders to put your accounts and bills in.

Life insurance, enough to pay of the mortgage and send each dc to uni, so get insurance till the youngest reaches 21 years.

Savings - have enough money for three months living at least with out income. Put a few pounds every months in a building socity account so this fund builds up - start with about £15 -19 pounds per week. It will soon grow.

Using an excel sheet put all your income and outgoings down so that you know you are living within your means.

3. Your parents belongings and personal effects - do you have siblings to help you with this task? Try to sort first your mothers effects and then your fathers, make sure you do check everything that you sort. As there maybe accounts unknown to you or bonds, shares? I would tackle this job in sections and try to be methodical.

HTH

I thought that marriage voided a will (unless made in anticipation of the marraige) but that separation/divorce didn't?

Ivykaty44, that is really helpful. Thank you

other than death certs, marraige certs & birth certs having dealt with insurances etc when they died do I need to keep paperwork regarding parents finances etc (keeping in mind Mum has been dead three years and Dad seven)?

hi have you ever been on flylady.com it's just what your looking for.

i dont even have a will.

i live in rented accom. no dp. no savings.

will my dcs get everything i have, and ex get custody...no matter who is their godparents?

PurpleOne, despite being in rented accom, no dp and no savings it is still advisable to have a will. Did dc's father have parental responsibility? You need to be clear about what would happen to the children if, god forbid, anything happened to you. Do you have people (there godparents?)who could act as advocates for the children to ensure that if they are with x partner (which would be likely) they stay in touch with your family? plus your personal effects would need to be sorted and your funeral arranged and it is much easier in my experience if this is all set out in writing. I have even decided what I want to be buried wearing as I found making that decision for my Mum and Dad extremely difficult. It's grim to do but necessary (says the woman who has buried her head in the sand until recently)