Personal Affairs

Make sure your personal affairs are in order before deployment so you are able to perform your military duties and - in the event of your death - your survivors will be able to administer your affairs quickly and inexpensively.

Consider Now

• Making a Will - especially if you have minor children or you own real estate. If you already have a Will, make sure it is up to date. Be sure that those you have designated as executor, guardian, trustee and alternates, agree to serve. Prepare your Will now so you don't have to rush to have it done later. Contact your legal counsel or the legal office on base for details.
• Assigning a Power of Attorney (POA) - to allow someone you designate to transact business for you in your absence. Contact your legal counsel or the legal office on base for details.
• Ensuring the Record of Emergency Data in your personnel file is current.
• Making a list of all assets, liabilities, income and expenses.
• Storing your important documents (wills, deeds, bonds, etc.) in a safe place. Be sure to tell your spouse, assigned POA or next of kin where these documents are located.
• Applying for a tax extension or filing your taxes before you are deployed. Contact your tax advisor for details.
• Protecting your identity by placing an "alert" on your credit file. You will need to contact all three of the major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Please note that when an alert is activated, a delay in the loan approval process may be experienced.

Collect Information For Your Spouse, Assigned POA Or Next Of Kin

• Personal data - birth certificates for you and your children, marriage license, divorce or annulment decrees (if necessary), social security card(s), adoption or guardianship papers, naturalization or citizenship papers, health records.
• Financial accounts - name, address and phone number of all financial institutions where you have accounts (checking, savings, loans, credit cards), account numbers, identification of accounts with joint ownership and balances.
• Securities - name, address and phone number of all institutions where securities are held (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement accounts), account numbers, number of shares, title of securities, where transaction papers are located.
• Real Estate - deeds, mortgages and leases for every residence of real estate that you own, address of property, form of ownership (e.g., joint tenancy), copies of related insurance policies and reports, name, address and phone number of institution where mortgage is held, property tax bills, copies of appraisals.
• Insurance - all life, health, disability or accident policies, name, address and telephone number of insurance broker and claims benefits. Also list any insurance purchased to protect a loan or credit card account.
• Automobile(s) (RVs, motorcycles, etc.) - certificates of title, bill of sale or lease; vehicle make, model, year and VIN; financing information including name, address and phone number of lien holder, monthly payments and payment schedule; and insurance information including name, address and telephone number of insurance company, policy number, coverage amounts and types and premium costs.
• Personal property - description, photographs and appraisals of all property such as gems, precious metals, collectibles, artwork, etc.
• Bills and debts - name, address, phone number, account number and monthly balance due for all utility expenses (gas, electric, water, cable), judgments, liens, leases, child support, alimony, purchase/installment contracts, etc.
• Safe deposit boxes - name, address and telephone number where any safe deposit boxes are located, inventory of the contents of each box, location and number of safe deposit box keys, name, address and telephone number of any person with joint access.