What Should You Remember When Moving Out Of State?
Whether you're planning a move to a neighboring state for business or simply want to experience life in a different part of the county for a while, moving out of state can bring a number of positive changes to your life. However, it can also be overwhelming at times -- with so much to do and remember before the big day, some things may seem destined to slip through the cracks.
Read on for some necessary and/or beneficial (but commonly overlooked) tasks you'll want to complete before moving out of state:
Change your address
Although you probably already remembered to forward your mail with the post office, you'll also want to make sure all your creditors (as well as those who may owe you a refund, like utility companies or landlords) have your new address or a post office box on file.
The easiest way to accomplish this is often to obtain a free credit report -- you'll then have the names and contact information for all creditors who have your information. In many cases, you'll be able to update your address by submitting a simple web form. By also changing your address with the three major credit reporting bureaus, you'll ensure that any creditors who for some reason aren't notified of your change in address will be able to obtain your most current address if needed.
Check into pod shipping
If your past moving experiences have involved several burly movers and a box truck, you may see this as the default option for your upcoming move. However, a recent innovation in cross-country, and other long-distance shipping, can help decrease your costs while giving you even greater flexibility and control over the process.
By renting a pod storage container you'll be able to pack your items yourself at your leisure and, when you're finished, schedule a time for movers to ship the container to your new home. These storage containers are generally flown from location to location by cargo plane, but may be transported by train over relatively short distances.
Even if packing your belongings yourself isn't on your agenda, you'll be able to hire movers to help pack and ship your pod storage container -- and then hire another crew of movers to unpack it at your new home. This helps reduce your moving costs by eliminating the need for a crew of movers to accompany your items across the country, while taking the stress off you and your family and allowing you to concentrate only on traveling from your old home to your new home.
Update your will and other legal documents
A final task you'll want to accomplish either before or shortly after your big move is examining and updating (if necessary) your will and any other legal documents. If you don't have a will, you may not be happy with the intestate distribution prescribed by your new state's laws, particularly if you're estranged from a parent or sibling. It may be in your best interest to consult an attorney to ensure that your assets pass to those you wish.
If you do have a will, it may not be able to be legally probated in your new state if it conflicts with this state's laws. For example, some states prohibit disinheriting children -- if your will does so, it may be amended by the probate court to pass along some assets to the disinherited child (as long as you were a resident of this state at the time of your death). Without a new will, your heirs could find themselves in a messy court battle to settle your estate.
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