MesoRC: Mesothelioma Resource Center

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Getting organized

Struggling with mesothelioma or another serious illness is an uphill battle, and not being able to find a vital document when you need it is the last thing you want to deal with.  One way to prevent this from happening is to organize all of your important paperwork and personal information. Your organizational “system” should allow you and your caregivers to more easily navigate records related to your medical, financial, and legal needs.

Some Helpful Tips

  1. Store all of your important information in one place.  Get a file cabinet or filing system and purchase a notebook.  Keep all of your documents neatly filed.  Use the notebook to keep track of medical, financial, and legal information you may need on-the-go.
  2. Tell a person you trust where all of your information is kept.  You never know when someone else may need to step in to assist you or access your information.
  3. Arrange for your spouse or another family member to take control of your medical, financial, and legal issues if you are unable to do so.  This may include advance directives for healthcare and durable power of attorney for other decisions.

Types of information to gather include:

Personal

  • Social security number
  • Legal residence
  • Names and addresses of spouse and children
  • Family records (birth and death certificates, certificates of marriage, divorce, citizenship, and adoption)
  • Education records
  • Military records (or dd-214) if you have them
  • Employers and dates of employment
  • Union records
  • Co-workers names and contact information (it might be helpful to look through Christmas card lists)
  • If self-employed any old invoices, receipts, records, etc.
  • Names and phone numbers of relatives and close friends

Medical

  • List of medical providers names and contact information
  • List of current medications and treatments
  • Medical records (regarding the cancer)
  • Death certificate (if the mesothelioma or lung cancer victim is deceased)
  • Pathology report
  • Copy of advance directives or durable power of attorney for health care

Financial

  • Sources of income and assets (retirement funds, IRAs, 401(k)s, interest, etc.)
  • Social Security and Medicare information
  • Insurance information (life, health, long-term care, home, car) with policy numbers and agent names and phone numbers
  • Banks and account information (checking, savings, credit union)
  • Investment income (stocks, bonds, property) and stockbrokers’ names and contact information
  • Copy of your most recent tax return
  • Mortgages and debt (including how and when to be paid)
  • Location of original deed of trust for home, car title, and registration
  • Location of safe deposit box and key (if applicable)

Legal

  • Will, Power of Attorney, Trust or and other legal documents
  •  Any records from any other attorney they may have worked with regarding their asbestos exposure

Of course, you may not have all of the items mentioned above; this list is simply a guideline. Also, note that these documents don’t have to be obtained all at once—they can be gradually collected over time.

Getting your affairs in order after a mesothelioma diagnosis can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Be sure to ask a family member or friend for help in getting the job done.  Having your important information easily accessible can do wonders for alleviating stress as you cope with your illness.