If you have lost a parent or been responsible for someone's estate, you know how many details are involved. In addition to grieving, you need to know every aspect of their lives -- every bill, every account, every key, every item on the person's to-do list that needs doing, where to find every hidden valuable, basically...everything.
I met Maria Fraietta, founder of Nokbox ("Next of Kin Box") at NAPO's Professional Organizers conference, and told her how excited, yet overwhelmed, I was to set up the Nokbox that I had recently purchased for myself. I shared my concerns -- and she alleviated them. I told her what I was hoping her product covered -- and she assured me it did. She really thought of everything when creating it!
Her founder's story is a common one. Following the loss of her father, and all the detective work she had to do afterward, she wanted to prevent others from having to undertake an overwhelming and confusing scavenger hunt by helping people organize everything their family will need when they passes.
Sneak peak of what's included
From the location of important documents to keys for all vehicles and sheds and safes and homes, from information on accounts and bills to details about pet care, from a home inventory to which streaming services you have that are deducted automatically...and everything in between, the Nokbox has it all.
"Inside each kit are 15 categories, covering everything from your life insurance policies to your funeral directives, to your dog’s vet information, to the code to that storage unit across town," according to the company's website. There are also multiple versions, but regardless of which version you purchase, every topic is included is in there.
Setting up your Nokbox
There are multiple versions of the Nokbox; I purchased the Nokbox Lite. After meeting Maria in April, I was ready to start and bought the folders I would need to set mine up. Months later, I finally dedicated an entire (rainy) day to setting up about 85% of it. I completed the last 15%* this week. It's definitely a big project.
Here's what you need to know:
Read the instruction page as soon as you get yours in the mail and make sure you have all the supplies you will need. Since I bought the DIY version, I needed folders and a box. If you buy the regular version, you won't need to buy anything else.
Unless you are entirely self-motivated, a project of this magnitude (cataloging your entire life!) can be daunting. So set up some accountability. Make an appointment with your spouse to do it together or make sure someone else in your life (with a Nokbox, perhaps) keeps you accountable.
Plan to devote an entire day to filling out all of the information and gathering documents, passwords, etc. Make a list of any tasks you need to remember to come back to.
Go through the prompts on each page and use the checklists in each folder that tell you what to add to the folder and what your next of kin should do with the information.
*Important: Note that this is a living source of information. Life (accounts, policies, vehicles, etc.) changes over time. So when I say that I have completed setting mine up, I have also set a reminder to update it every 6 months!
Gift idea
For holiday time or any time, consider purchasing a Nokbox as a gift for yourself or a parent...for it will end up being a lifesaver. Use this link to save 10%.
Let me know how it goes!
Top photo: thenokbox.com
Bottom photo: Me and my Nokbox (folders set up, but soon to be relocated to a smaller container).
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