As the trees begin to show their green and the flowers their colorful hues, we are once again reminded of a time to let go of old items and brighten up the spaces around our homes and offices with a bit of spring cleaning! As you begin to develop a list of items and rooms to declutter and organize, don’t forget to include your old documents.
Get your documents in check this spring cleaning with the following tips:
- Legal agreements – Usually, contracts and other legally binding documents should be kept in a safe space. These may include business contracts, house deeds, birth and marriage certificates, etc. While you may have a digital copy, it is always a good idea to keep documents of this kind in hand.
- Financial Documents – Records such as credit card statements and bank statements can be kept in a digital format to help you save physical space. Remember, financial institutions may only be able to provide you with digital statements that date back a couples of months to years, so ensure to download and save your monthly statements in your personal drive.
- Medical Records – While healthcare providers maintain an electronic copy of your records, it is always a good idea to store your printed records as they pertain to treatments and bills. If you have access to an online account, go paperless and download and save your digital records in your personal drive.
- Purchase Receipts – If you have purchased electronics or devices that include warranties and other types of benefits after purchasing, keep your receipts for the time noted by the store rep or manufacturer, and even ask for a digital copy. For big retailers, they may also keep a receipt copy for you if you provided an email address or phone number during your purchase.
- Other Documents – Any other document that you may have lying around can possibly be thrown away (recycled). Before you do, consider the following: Expiration dates, promo codes, personal information, and any other info that is important to you. Still, you can dispose of old mail, old flyers, receipts and more.
Once you have organized and stored your documents accordingly, consider if there are any other documents you may be missing that can be developed with the help of a legal expert.
At O’Dell O’Neal Hungerford and Blanchard, or legal team is ready to support you and your legal needs. Contact us if you need further assistance>>
