Documents to organise for elderly parents in India

Identity, health, money and property papers every family should be able to find in ten minutes — and the conversations to have while parents can take part.

By the Athnova Care team · Updated 2026-09-29

Why now

Families look for papers at the worst moments: in a hospital corridor, or after a death. The parent who knows where everything is may be the one who is ill. An afternoon spent on this during a visit saves weeks later.

The four folders

Folder	What goes in it
Identity	Aadhaar, PAN, passport, voter ID, senior-citizen card, photographs
Health	Insurance policy and card, Ayushman card, medicine list, discharge summaries, reports by date, doctors’ names
Money	Bank accounts and nominees, fixed deposits, pension papers, PPF, mutual funds, demat, locker details, tax returns
Property and home	Title deeds, property-tax receipts, society share certificate, utility account numbers, vehicle papers

Nominees

Check that every bank account, deposit, policy and investment has a nominee, and that the name is current. It is the most commonly missed item and one of the easiest to fix — most banks do it on a form or online.

Operating accounts when a parent is unwell

A joint account with "either or survivor" instructions keeps money reachable.
Ask the bank what it needs to let a family member operate an account when the holder cannot visit or sign.
Do not share net-banking passwords over WhatsApp or email.

A will

A simple will prevents most family disputes. It can be written on plain paper and signed before two witnesses; registration is optional but helpful. Encourage your parents to make one and to tell you where it is kept. Use a lawyer if there is property.

Medical wishes

Ask your parents what they would want if they were seriously ill: which hospital, how much intervention, who should decide. Indian courts have recognised advance medical directives, and the procedure has been simplified, but practice is still developing — take a lawyer’s and the doctor’s advice if your parents want to make one. The conversation matters even without the document.

Power of attorney

A power of attorney lets someone act for your parent in specified matters. It should be specific, given to someone wholly trusted, and drafted by a lawyer. If you are abroad, a POA signed by you has its own attestation steps at the consulate.

Keep copies in three places

Originals at home, in one known place.
Scans in a shared, secured folder for the siblings.
A one-page index: what exists, where it is, who to call.

General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and limits change — confirm with the insurer, your bank or a qualified adviser before you act.

Questions families ask

Is a handwritten will valid in India?

A will signed by the person making it and attested by two witnesses is generally valid; registration is optional. Take legal advice for your situation.

What is the single most useful thing to check?

Nominees on every account, deposit and policy.

Athnova Care tracks and coordinates care. It does not diagnose, prescribe or replace a doctor. In a medical emergency in India call 112.