8 weeks prior
____ Remove unnecessary items from your attic, storage shed, etc.
____ Use things you can’t move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies
____ Start a possessions inventory
____ Solicit estimates from three moving companies
____ Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out how your policy will cover your move
____ Begin collecting all moving papers and receipts in a file folder
____ Arrange to transfer your children’s school records

6 weeks prior
____ Contact the IRS and/or your CPA for tax-deductible information
____ Evaluate your possessions inventory: Can you donate anything? Do you need it all?
____ Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
____ Locate healthcare professionals and hospitals in your new location
____ Complete change of address cards via the post office, or using online services, to include the following:
            ____ Banks
            ____ Charge cards
            ____ Religious organizations
            ____ Doctor/dentist
            ____ Relatives and friends
            ____ Income tax bureau/Social Security Administration
            ____ Insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/stockbroker
            ____ Magazines
            ____ Post office
            ____ Schools
____ Clean your closets
____ Hold a moving or garage sale or donate items to charities
____ Choose a mover or decide to move yourself
____ Contact your mover to ask about insurance

4 weeks prior
____ Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning as needed
____ Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and other financial documentation
____ Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable television and trash collection companies for service disconnection and connection at your old and new addresses. Also ask for final readings
____ Request refunds on unused homeowner’s insurance, security deposit with landlord and prepaid cable service
____ Notify your gardener and pool service, if applicable
____ Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner’s, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home

3 weeks prior
____ Make your travel plans, if applicable
____ Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts in new locale, if necessary
____ Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of your new address
____ Arrange for childcare on moving day

2 weeks prior
____ Arrange for special transport for your pets and plants
____ Service your car for the trip
____ Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move

On Moving Day:
____ Carry enough cash or traveler’s checks to cover cost of moving services and expenses until you make banking connections in new city, or keep with you an ATM card
____ Carry jewelry and important documents yourself, or use registered mail
____ Plan for transporting of pets
____ Doublecheck closets, drawers, shelves to be sure they are empty
____ Leave old keys, garage door openers and instruction manuals needed by new owner

At your new address:
____ Obtain California-drawn certified checks or cashier’s checks necessary for closing real estate transaction (check with title company transaction coordinator for details)
____ Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, water and garbage
____ Check pilot light on stove, water heater and furnace
____ Ask mail delivery person for mail he/she may be holding for your arrival
____ Have new address recorded on driver’s license and car registration
____ Visit city offices and register for voting
____ Register children in school