Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To

by Melanie Cullen, Shae Irving J.D.

Get your life organized with the best workbook available!

Paperwork and personal information isn't always easy to find, and organizing your records can seem like an intimidating task. But, whether you need to organize records for yourself, your family or your executor, Get It Together will show you how to keep track

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help, Finance, How To, Legal, Family

245 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2005

Reviews

[Jay French · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw the author giving examples of the kinds of service people that might need to be notified if you passed away, like those with standing appointments, and I saw “piano tuner”, I knew this was a thorough book. Reading through, I was continually surprised by that thoroughness. The book is mostly the instructions to fill out forms detailing the many aspects of your life that might need to be dealt with should you pass away. Things like account information, instructions on care for your pets and your house, and details on your requests for funeral arrangements. After these instructions, the book contains sample forms to capture this information, and also offers these forms in downloadable RTF and PDF formats (think electronically editable versus printable for filling by hand). The book even provides some basic education on topics such as social security, insurance, and the cost of funerals. Did I catch anything this book missed? Yes, it left out returning borrowed library books and cancelling holds. Given the thoroughness shown here, I would give odds this will make the next edition. Could you get by just downloading and filling out the forms? You could do that, but I believe you will miss some of the discussion around the choices involved in those forms. I think that the instructions in the book are valuable in and of themselves. I will be working through these forms for myself and my parents.

[Mandi Ehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I was going to mark this book down, it would be for having too much information. It's really hard to fault the author for being so thorough, though.

This is not a guide or template for creating a will or health care directive or other legal document. Instead, it's a guide (with hundreds of planner pages) to putting together a binder containing all of the information someone might need if you die or are incapacitated.

Reading it was the easy part; putting together the binder is going to take me several months. But I'm determined to get it done!

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good but challenging to get through. So much to do to be prepared, but it'll be worth it!

[Paula Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder of all the information a loved one will need at the time of my passing, so I can pull it all together while I'm still of sound mind. It's a lot of work to complete, but will make my children's life a little easier when they need it.

[Erma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed and comprehensive system of organizing important documents. In addition to a section of worksheets, it includes a CD so your information can be typed in and saved. This system can save hours of work and frustration for an executor, give peace of mind in the event of a quick evacuation or disaster, and give a clear picture of your financial status. Every family needs a system of organizing documents and financial information, and this is one of the best I have seen.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looks like a good organizational tool. I think this would be a great book if you had a couple months to implement it. Basically you organize only important papers and leave a specific list and instructions for those you leave behind. Certainly would have made things easier for my family had my dad done anything like this.

[Katie Hilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very detailed book with accompanying planner that helped me create my own planner, listing all my personal records and preparing them for my heirs, when the time comes. It was quite a bit of work, but I have streamlined the process considerably. It pleases me that I have helped my sons.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

You'll be sure not to miss a thing when using this guide to help you organize your papers/estate. Of course, that also means you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information that Cullen recommends you collect, organize, and record in your planner or another filing system.

[Tricia Gabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

INcredible book!

[Charles Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie Cullen’s Get It Together (11th edition) is a practical, thoughtful, and deeply compassionate guide for organizing your personal, legal, and financial affairs. This is not just another estate planning workbook—it’s a gift to those you love.

This book walks you through the often overwhelming process of preparing for the unexpected: illness, incapacity, or death. With helpful checklists, fillable sections, and updated advice for modern planning (including digital assets), Cullen provides peace of mind in paper form.

One of the most touching messages in the book is this: your final gift to family and friends can be clarity. Leaving behind a clear, well-organized record reduces the confusion, stress, and emotional burden that often follows a loved one’s passing.

That said, I would have appreciated stronger organization that helps executors follow a more intuitive sequence of urgent versus non-urgent tasks. A clearer roadmap would ease the cognitive load during what is already a difficult time.

Still, this book remains a vital tool for anyone—regardless of age—who wants to ensure their affairs are in order. Highly recommended for individuals, couples, and families.

Rating: 4/5

[Read Ng · Rating 3 out of 5]

The hardest part is coming to the realization that death is inevitable. It offers me topics to think about and discuss with my family. I don't know the answers, so this process needs to take place over a long time (for me). The forms suggest things to consider, but offers flexibility for tailoring to my needs. One will need to review and revise this document over the remainder of one's life.

Have a GoodReads.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an okay resource for organizing your affairs so those you leave behind have an idea of where to go and what to do regarding your paperwork. I've read several books like this but this is the first that I've tried to utilize the online aspect of filling out my personal information. That part of the book I found very clunky and, as a former graphic designer, rather ugly. It is something, though, so that's a start.

[Viewpoints Radio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though death is part of life, few people prepare for it by collecting important documents and contact points that survivors will need to know. This week on Radio Health Journal, experts Melanie Cullen and Karen Lee Cline discuss organizing for the inevitable. Full story here: https://radiohealthjournal.wordpress....

[Judith Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book is Organize Your Records so Your Family Won't Have to, and everything you would need to know to do that is here. You can even download forms to help you. If this is what you need to do, there is no substitute for this book, which is from Nolo Press, the best guide to legal documentation.

[Leigh Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so much better since following the steps in this book! It was a daunting task at first, but broken down into manageable steps was the key. This book is VERY thorough and I love the templates. Highly recommend to anyone!.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful in helping you figure out what you need to write down and how to organize it to save major headaches for your family in the future,

[Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually just slogged through the 8th edition as I’m updating my documents and records. Although one size can never fit all, a good portion of the book would apply to most people.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent information. It will be a lot of work to complete the paperwork but it will be very helpful to family in the case of a sudden death.

[Hannah Gadberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty thick book. Will take a lifetime to go through.

[Karen May]

Own

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good starter

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

good information

[Christine Mathieu · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is mostly forms for all kinds of situations concering a Last Will and Testament. Not really helpful.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are plenty of books that offer advice about end-of-life planning, but this one is exceptional because it has detailed instructions based on Nolo's legal expertise.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to borrow this one again from JCPL, as I haven't gotten it all together yet.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The guide was exceptional for understanding everything that's needed for "getting one's affairs in order." But it is I who deserves stars and accolades for actually using it! POAs, revocable living trust, my wishes for how things should go down when my end of life nears... everything is in place. Finally, in the month I turned 65, I stopped procrastinating, treated it like an important class assignment and got 'er done!

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy I purchased this book.It's an excellent guide for getting your affairs in order -- in case you become incapacitated or die. Nobody likes to think of such things, but how much worse for your loved ones if you haven't made any arrangements for dealing with the bank, your insurance info, property, pets, etc. This is a workbook is organized into chapters that guide you through the process of preparing and organizing your wishes, records, paperwork in case something happens to you.

Great book!

[summershots · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct directions for an estate information file.
Bibliographies.

[Jan]

Borrowed from the library and never did get to it before it was due. I will re-borrow or buy; a very good idea.

[Jaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

multiple lists to make sure everything is covered.