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Expectant parents: you might be looking at this and thinking, “How can one small baby generate this much paperwork?” The reality is, those documents can pile up quickly, both before and after your child is born. Par-ents who’ve already been down that baby road know that the more organized you can be now, the less sleep you’ll lose later. (And sleep is a precious commodity!)

Here, you’ll find some useful information to help keep everything in order as you enter this exciting time in your life. This guide is designed with pages that you can download and print from your home printer, provid-ing a handy reference to help remind you of all the things you might need to do regarding your new baby and when you should consider doing them. That way you can focus more on your little bundle of joy, and less on the bundles of paperwork!

Wills 2Life Insurance 5Hospital Paperwork 6Birth plan 7 Birth Certificates 8Social Security Cards 9 Medical Insurance Inclusion 10Immunization Records 11

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For many couples, the impetus to create a will arrives when they’re expecting a baby. While drafting a will might raise sensitive end-of-life questions, parents who have created wills often say they can provide reassurance that your little ones will be protected and cared for in the event of your death.

Why establish a will?If the worst happens and you haven’t drawn up a will, a court appoints an executor to manage your estate and appoint a guardian for underage children, according to CNN Money. By deciding who will execute your estate, typically you will be able to exert greater control over your affairs. You’ll likely be able to decide who cares for your underage child and you can set up a trust to help provide for their well-being.

When to startYou can write a will at any time, but it may be a good idea to initiate your will in the early stages of your pregnancy, so that you can have enough time to draft the document and review it. If you complete it by your third trimester, you won’t have to add it to your growing list of baby-related tasks.

Do you really need a lawyer?Babycenter.com suggests that while a lawyer isn’t required, the potential for mistakes that could invalidate your will are much greater if you do it yourself. Attorneys who specialize in wills may be able to save you hours of time and money. A lawyer can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and Babycenter suggests one of the best ways to find one is to ask for recommendations from family and friends.

However, if the cost of using a lawyer is holding you back, Babycenter.com also suggests buying a self-help book or software program and allowing yourself extra time to complete the will yourself. If you decide to go this route, USA.gov outlines some specific requirements for drafting your own will, such as having witnesses present to sign it.

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Getting startedBabycenter.com has identified a number of things you can consider ahead of time to make the process go more quickly and smoothly.

l Choose a guardian and a back-up guardian for your child. Also consider writing directives for how you’d like your child to be raised and educated.

l List all of your assets. This includes bank accounts, investments, real estate, life insurance and property.

l Identify which assets you’d like your child to receive and how they will be distributed. Many people choose to set up a trust, which can be distributed to their child once they reach adulthood.

l Select a trustee who will oversee the distribution of assets to your child.

l Itemize belongings or assets you want other family members or friends to inherit.

l Choose an executor to handle all of the paperwork.

l Specify funeral arrangements. Detail any specific funeral arrangement preferences for you or and/ or your spouse.

l Keep your will updated.

Babycenter.com also cautions that there are certain assets such as life insurance policies, IRAs and 401(k)s that have beneficiary forms that may override what is outlined in your will. Be sure you double check that these beneficiary designations align with your will.

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Keep your will updatedOnce you’ve completed your estate plan, USA.gov suggests you review it from time to time and consider changing it if:

l The value of your assets changes

l Your marital status changes

l You have more children

l You move to a different state

l The executor of your will dies or your relationship changes

l One of your heirs dies

l The laws affecting your estate change

These are just a few things to consider when it comes to wills. These situations can involve complicated legal documents, so be sure to consult a lawyer or refer to books or software programs on the subject before you begin drafting your own.

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q Wr ite a Will q Ask family & friends for the name of a reputable lawyer or other resource q Gather information about all of your assets and finances q Decide who will be your children’s guardian and back-up guardian q Decide who will be the executor and trustee for your will q Decide how you want to divide up your property and assets q Consider end-of-life decisions and funeral arrangements

Many experienced parents are comforted knowing that a life insurance policy can help ensure financial protection for their family. This is especially true for families that are going from a two-income household down to one after their baby is born. In the event something should happen to the working spouse, a life insurance policy will allow the stay-at-home parent stability while they look to re-establish a career.

Types of life insuranceAccording to USA.gov. there are two different types of insurance policies:

l Term life insurance Term policies are typically the least costly. They pay death benefits, but have no cash value if you decide to stop making payments. These policies are in effect for a designated amount of time — usually 20 to 30 years. If you pass away during that time, the full amount of the policy will be paid out.

l Permanent life insurance Whole life, universal life and other cash value policies combine long-term savings and investment products with life insurance. These permanent cash-value plans typically cover you for a lifetime, not just a term. You pay monthly premiums until your death, but unlike term policies, these policies typically offer a deferred tax value that grows over time.

How much coverage do you need?According to americanpregnancy.org, many financial experts suggest you purchase eight to 10 times your income in life insurance. In addition, even if you’re a stay-at-home parent, you may want to consider getting extra coverage in the event of your death to help cover expenses like childcare or a housekeeper to assist your surviving spouse and/or family members. You can find out how much life insurance you may need by using this calculator.

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q Get Life Insurance q Locate a licensed life insurance agent q Consider whether you want whole life or term life insurance q Consider how much coverage you’ll need q Verify any insurance you may already have with your employer(s)

Pre-registering at your hospital can help save a lot of time and stress when the big day arrives, says thebump.com. Let’s face it, you’ll probably be a little distracted when you arrive at the hospital and it could even be the middle of the night. Pre-registering with all of your insurance and employment information as well as the name of your pediatrician may help you avoid mistakes. Plus, you won’t have to fumble for your insurance card as you head to labor and delivery! Check to see if this is an option at your chosen hospital.

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q Fill Out Hospital Paperwork q Pre-register if your hospital allows q Inquire with your health insurance provider about adding your child to your plan q Choose your child’s pediatrician

BABYON

BOARD

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In addition to the official hospital forms, it can be helpful for the expectant mother to create a “birth plan” to serve as a guide providing some of the details she may want the delivery team (doctor, midwife, nurses, etc.) to consider. Here’s an example of some of the things you may want to include on such a wish list:

Full name: ______________________________________________________ Due date: ______________________Doctor’s name: _____________________________ Hospital name: _____________________________________

Preferred methods of pain relief: (massage, breathing techniques, medication, etc.)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who’s allowed in my birthing room: (partner, family members, doula, etc.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Atmosphere: (music, lighting, etc.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After my baby is born: (hold baby, breastfeeding, formula, etc.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Misc: (allergies, hydration preferences, cultural preferences, etc.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Filling out the paperworkHospitals typically provide the forms you’ll need to file for your baby’s birth certificate. Make sure you don’t leave without filling out this important documentation. In most states, the hospital will submit the paperwork for your baby’s birth certificate along with a Social Security form. (See page 9 for Social Security information.)

Obtaining your birth certificateBirth certificates are handled individually by state and county, so you’ll have to check with the county clerk, vital records or public health office where your child was born to obtain a copy.

What if you’re still playing the name game?If you haven’t decided on a name for your baby, make sure you know where to send the forms once you’ve filled them out at home. Don’t wait too long, though. According to USA.gov, if you wait longer than a year to send in the paperwork it could complicate the process for things like obtaining a U.S. passport.

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These days, having a Social Security card is necessary to get many things done for your child. Other parents who made the potentially costly mistake of not applying right away will tell you they wish they had!

Why your child needs a Social Security cardAccording to the Social Security Administration, obtaining a Social Security card is required if you plan to do any of the following for your child:

l Claim him/her as a dependent on your income taxes l Open a bank account in their name l Buy savings bonds l Obtain medical coverage l Apply for government services

Applying for your child’s card in the hospitalThe Social Security Administration advises that you apply for your child’s card in the hospital at the same time you’re applying for his or her birth certificate. (If you wait, it can be a lot more difficult.) Keep in mind, you’ll need to provide both parents’ Social Security numbers. According to Everydayfamily.com, the hospital should give you your child’s Social Security number before you leave, but the actual card can take up to three months to be issued.

Applying for your child’s card at a later dateIf you must wait, you’ll need to apply at a Social Security office. The Social Security Administration says that you’ll need to show proof of your child’s U.S. citizenship, age and identity as well as your own identity. Keep in mind; it can take up to 12 weeks for the Social Security Administration to verify this information.

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q At the Hospital q Fill out information for birth certificates q Fill out information for Social Security cards

No matter how prepared you are, life with a new baby can really turn your world upside down. As any expe-rienced parent knows, there are a few things you absolutely must do after the baby is born, and adding your infant to your health insurance is one of them.

Before deliveryEverydayfamily.com suggests that you should make sure you’re familiar with your insurance before the baby arrives, so you know how to add your child to your plan — and if there are any problems with overlapping or non-coverage. It’s also important to note: according to HealthCare.gov, any maternity care and childbirth services provided before and after your child is born are considered essential health benefits and are required to be covered by all health plans.

After deliveryIn many cases, insurance companies allow up to 30 days after birth for you to add your baby to your health coverage. Be sure to learn what the rules are for your particular plan. You may need to supply your child’s date of birth, full name and Social Security number. (The Social Security number will typically be provided by the hospital before you leave.)

Employer-sponsored plansEmployer-based medical plans may offer benefits for your baby — frequently at no or little out-of-pocket cost. Additionally, you typically don’t need to wait for the employer’s open enrollment period to add your child to the plan, as long as you’ve done it within the designated window.

Individually purchased plansIf you already have an individual medical insurance policy, your licensed agent or insurer can tell you how to add a dependent and how it will affect your monthly premium.

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You may need immunization records for admittance to some childcare centers. This differs by state, so be sure to check where you’d like to enroll your child. You’ll also likely need them years down the road when your child enters kindergarten. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about vaccines.

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BIRTH1

MO.

2MO.

4

MO.

6 MO.

12

MO.

HEPATITIS B

ROTAVIRUS

DIPHTHERIA, TETANUS, PERTUSSIS

HEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B

PNEUMOCOCCAL

INACTIVATED POLIOVIRUS

INFLUENZA (FLU)

MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA

VARICELLA

HEPATITIS A

Immunizations and Developmental Milestones

for Your Child from Birth Through 12 Months Old

RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS

source: CDC.govTalk to your pediatrician about your child’s specific needs

q After Your Baby is Born q Add your child to your medical insurance policy q Obtain copies of your child’s birth certificate from your county q Make sure you receive your child’s Social Security card in the mail q Find out if your day care requires immunization records

Before Baby Arrivesq Wr ite a Will q Ask family and friends for the name of a reputable lawyer or other resource q Gather information about all of your assets and finances q Decide who will be your children’s guardian and back-up guardian q Decide who will be the executor and trustee for your will q Decide how you want to divide up your property and assets q Consider end-of-life decisions and funeral arrangements

q Get Life Insurance q Locate a licensed life insurance agent q Consider whether you want permanent life or term life insurance q Consider how much coverage you’ll need q Verify any insurance you may already have with your employer(s)

q Fill Out Hospital Paperwork q Pre-register if your hospital allows q Inquire with your health insurance provider about adding your child to your plan q Choose your child’s pediatrician q Create birth plan

On The Big Day q Fill out information for birth certificates q Fill out information for Social Security cards

After baby arrives q Add your child to your medical insurance policy q Obtain copies of your child’s birth certificate from your county q Make sure you receive your child’s Social Security card in the mail q Find out if your day care requires immunization records q Create immunization checklist

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