"The Paper Chase! Which Documents to Keep or Throw Away"

If you should die today, or be incapacitated by a disaster, would a relative or friend with legal right have access to your important papers and know where and how to find them? Judith Carlisle, attorney, provides suggestions for establishing a system to manage important papers. She will be the featured speaker of the Carquinez Village Project (CVP) monthly meeting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 16 in the Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia.

Carlisle is a shareholder in the North Bay Area firm Favaro, Lavezzo, Gill, Caretti & Heppell, PC, and serves as a probate, wills and trust attorney (among other specialties), Carlisle assists clients with the administration of decedents’ estates through court and private proceedings and represents clients in probate and trust disputes. She serves as a mediator in family law disputes and represents clients in the resolution of family law matters through collaboration rather than litigation, whenever possible.

“Learning how to manage and store your important papers, and how to ensure that those documents are accessible to those you trust provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones.” Carlisle said. This also provides direction and comfort to those you have entrusted. “Secure access to organized documents is very valuable at times of crisis, incapacity, or death”, she added.

A good record system simplifies the legal process upon death. Other life events can also require access to important papers: divorce or separation, children reaching legal age, a long illness, a lawsuit, a natural disaster, loss of a job, tax audits, and retirement.

Carlisle’s presentation will address certain categories of papers legal documents, active files and documents to throw away. A question and answer session will follow.

The mission of the Carquinez Village Project is to connect, support, and inspire seniors through a “neighbor-to-neighbor” volunteer network that would provide social, practical, and referral assistance in Benicia and Vallejo who want to remain in their homes and live full and independent lives as they age. More information is available at www.CarquinezVillage.org or by calling 707-297-2472.