There are certain legal documents that can be necessary to have in certain situations such as passports if you want to travel, driving licences if you want to drive and a title deed when owning a house. But what are some of the documents that every adult needs? Below are 5 documents that everyone should own.
Photo identification
Photo identification is useful in many instances. It is typically needed when getting married, when opening a bank account and sometimes even when applying to jobs. Most recently, it has become necessary to show some photo ID in order to vote. All in all, it’s very important to have.
A passport, a driver’s licence, a blue badge and an older person’s bus pass are all examples of commonly accepted photo ID. Having more than one form of photo ID can be useful in case one gets lost or needs to be renewed.
Proof of address
There are many cases where you may be asked to provide proof of address. Examples of situations include applying for a marriage licence or selling/scrapping a car.
Proof of address typically includes any document that has your name and address on it. This could include a utility bill, a council tax bill, a credit card statement or a home insurance document. Such documents typically have to be physical, which can be an issue for some people who do all their billing digitally. This is why it can still be worth having some bills sent to your address in physical form.
National insurance card
Your national insurance card contains your national insurance number – which is essential to know when applying for a job.
While many employers may simply ask for the number, there are some employers who like to see the card itself. Even if you never experience this, having your national insurance number on a card can be useful for easily retrieving it.
Will
A will is a document that determines what will happen to your assets when you die. If you don’t have a will, your assets will be handed down according to the rules of intestacy – which usually involves being divided evenly among any kids you may have. This is something that some people are OK with, however others may prefer to customise exactly who receives what.
It’s worth hiring a lawyer that specialises in wills. They will be able to help you write a will that is legally tight. It’s worth noting that you can amend a will at any time.
Power of attorney
A power of attorney document is something everyone should have alongside a will. It appoints someone as a power of attorney who can then make decisions on your behalf if you become too ill or disabled to do so.
Such decisions could include financial decisions or medical decisions. Without a power of attorney appointed, none of your loved ones will be able to make decisions on your behalf, which could prevent getting support and treatment. A probate lawyer should be able to help you create this document.