8/9/2026
If a filing cabinet or closet shelf is quietly filling up with old statements, you're in good company. Most people keep far more paperwork than they need, while occasionally tossing something they'll wish they'd kept. A simple annual sort makes a real difference.
General guidelines (we will always check specifics with your CPA or attorney):
● Keep 1 year: routine bank and credit card statements, utility bills, pay stubs (until matched to your W-2)
● Keep 7-10 years: tax returns and supporting documents, especially anything tied to a deduction
● Keep permanently: birth and death certificates, marriage/divorce records, Social Security cards, property deeds, wills, powers of attorney, and trust documents
For anything with an account number or Social Security number, shredding beats the trash can. A home cross-cut shredder or a community shred event both work well. Digital copies of key documents, stored somewhere secure a trusted person can access, are a smart backup. An annual review (even just one afternoon) often surfaces more than paper clutter; it's frequently when families notice a power of attorney is missing or beneficiary information hasn't been updated in years.
Contact Us
Want to find out more or get started? Please call, email or fill out the form below.
1-657-247-6304
office@kellicassidy.com