Oh boy.
I found this list on a website for expats. Because I'm such a list-maker, I decided to split the work according to the week.
There are 18 weeks between now and the anticipated arrival in Delhi. 13 weeks between now and the end of school.
Oh boy.
For some reason, when you say "we'll be leaving sometime in June" it seems SO much farther away than when you say "we'll be leaving in 13 weeks"
So here is the list they suggest you follow in order to get prepared.
INITIAL ACTIONS
Coordinate agreements concerning your overseas assignment with the Human Resources department of your company.
If appropriate, provide HR with information required for:
__ Passports
__ Visa/work permit requirements
__ Flight arrangements for orientation visit and car hire requirements
__ Arrangements for the transportation of your unaccompanied personal effects and pets
__ Housing/schooling requirements in your host location
cartoon #11
Expect the renters to put some wear and tear on your house while you're away
DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR HOME
If you rent, check the lease and give the appropriate notice
If you intend to leave your home empty:
__ Check your buildings and insurance coverage
__ Prepare your house for inactivity (drain down water, disconnect gas,
central heating, etc.)
__ Advise your mortgage lender
__ Make security arrangements for your home
__ Arrange cleaner, gardener, as necessary
__ Arrange for someone to check the property on a regular basis
If you intend to rent your home:
__ Choose a reputable rental agent to market the property for you
__ Employ an attorney to study the tenancy agreement
__ Nominate managing agents
__ Get consents from mortgage company, insurers
If you intend to sell your home:
__ Choose a reputable real estate agent to market the property for you
__ Employ an attorney
__ Organize a Power of Attorney in case the sale is not finalized before
your departure
6-12 WEEKS BEFORE DEPARTURE
Be sure legal paperwork for traveling is done:
__ Check that passports are up to date; make application if necessary
__ Get a supply of passport-size photos to take with you
__ Apply for any necessary visas/work permits
To protect your health while overseas:
__ Arrange medical and dental check-ups
__ Go over vaccination records with the doctor and arrange extra shots
if required
__ Arrange for an AIDS test if your host country requires it
__ If you take prescription medication, make arrangements with your
doctor for obtaining a supply of these medications; ask the doctor to
write a letter documenting your need for these medications
__ If you or a member of your family has any special medical conditions,
ask your doctor for a copy of the pertinent medical records for use by
your doctor abroad
__ Consult with your doctor whether you will need any preventative
medications such as quinine where you will be living. Make arrangements
to acquire any if needed
Notify your children's school of their departure
Notify your banks
If you receive government benefits (for example, Social Security or
Veterans' benefits) make arrangement to have your money sent to your new
location
Look over your will and be sure it still reflects your wishes; arrange
to meet with your attorney to make any desired changes or to make a will
if you don't have one yet
Arrange a power of attorney, if required
Advise any insurance companies with whom you have policies that you are
moving to live overseas (Companies have been known to refuse to pay out
when they have not been so advised)
Decide what to do with your pet(s)
Decide what to do with your car(s)
Arrange for moving companies to carry out pre-move survey
If at all possible, make a "reconnaissance trip" to your new location;
while there, you might choose your house, a bank, and/or school(s) for
your children
4-6 WEEKS BEFORE DEPARTURE
Consider the need for independent tax/financial advice on your status as
an expatriate
Arrange with the post office for your mail to be forwarded
Send out change-of-address cards; make arrangements for staying in touch
with friends and relatives
Cancel subscriptions to book clubs, magazines
Notify credit card companies
Arrange flight tickets, hotels, car hire
Make a detailed inventory of the contents of your home including value
and age (You may want to take photos for insurance purposes)
Consider opening a safe deposit box in which to store important
documents and valuables while you are away
Plan what things to take with you overseas and what things to leave
behind. Consider whether you want to put some things in storage and make
any necessary arrangements
Make final arrangements with moving company for moving day
Collect copies of legal documents such as marriage, birth, adoption,
divorce certificates to take with you
Collect copies of important documents you may need with you (insurance
certificates, medical records, optical and/or medicinal prescriptions,
school records)
Deplete food in your kitchen cupboards and freezer
Deplete stocks of alcohol
Contact your local voter registration office if necessary to register as
an overseas elector
1-2 WEEKS BEFORE DEPARTURE
Sort out those items you will need to keep with you when you travel:
passport, visa, work permit, tickets, money, travelers checks, currency,
credit cards, driver's license, essential medication, vaccination
certificates, valuables, jewelry, address book, things for children to
do on the flight, at least one change of clothes (your suitcases may not
arrive with you)q Drain fuel from lawn mower
Cancel milk/newspaper deliveries
Advise utility companies: gas, electricity, water, telephone
Dispose of houseplants
Defrost refrigerator/freezer
Pack the possessions you are taking with you
For the sake of anyone reading this blog who is going through a similar situation, I'll post again soon with my version of a readiness checklist, broken down into weeks. It most likely will be quite boring for those of you reading who fall into the friends/family category, so I apologize in advance!
