Are You Prepared for Disaster? Tips Every Family Can Use
As an estate planning attorney, I help families think through what will happen when things don’t go as we hope. My goal for every family is to have the documents and information they need in an emergency available at a moment’s notice. If you don’t have an “In Case of Emergency” binder/folder/portfolio prepared, here are some of my best tips:
Big categories to include: vital records (birth certificates, passports, etc.), legal documents (will, power of attorney, etc.), financial information (account numbers, copies of credit cards, etc.). *See below for links to more complete checklists.
Put originals into a fire-proof box or safe, but also keep a second set of copies that you can easily grab in an emergency.
Consider keeping an electronic copy on a thumb drive or with a secure online document vault.
If you use a safe deposit box to store originals, make sure to check with your bank about their policy for opening it when the lessee is not available.
Make sure someone other than you and your spouse, who you know and trust, knows where these important documents can be located.
Choose a date each year (your birthday or January 1, for instance) to review and refresh as needed.
To learn more, check out these resources:
Video: What To Include in Your Estate Plan Package In Maryland
FEMA: Safeguard Critical Documents and Valuables
CFPB: Disaster Checklist
For help getting these documents prepared and assembled, make an appointment for a quick chat to get started.
