All Blog Postings by Mary
How Long To Keep Paperwork?
By Mary Francis · Originally published: December 30, 2012
Archive notice: This is a historical post from Mary’s years of blogging. Some older posts may mention products, courses or shop items that are no longer available, as Mary now focuses her time and energy on supporting widows inside her private Facebook community. The guidance and stories remain here as a free resource for widows.
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Start the year by cleaning out all your old paper work and starting a new filing system. Now not only will you be able to find things but so will your children if something should happen to you.
Here is a list of how long to keep your papers:
- Bank statements and canceled checks: One year until after tax filing
- Birth or adoption certificates: Forever
- Contracts: Until Updated
- Credit card account numbers: Until Updated
- Marriage or Divorce papers: Forever
- Real estate deeds: As long as you own the property
- Life insurance policies: Forever
- Car, home insurance: Until updated
- Investment records: Six years after tax deadline for year of sale
- Loan agreements: Until updated
- Military service records: Forever
- Purchase receipts: One month if on credit card, longer if it's a gift
- Service contracts and warranties: Until sale or discard
- Social Security Card: Forever
- Tax returns: Six Years
- Vehicle titles: Until sale or disposal
- Will: Until updated
Handle your paperwork just once when you receive it - either file it or throw it out. Every month go through your purchase receipts to match them to your statements and then file until you do your taxes.
