Now that the pandemic has lessened in its impact, are you looking at all the travel choices for summer travel? Summer is a great time to plan a vacation, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy time outdoors. Are you staying local? Or are you traveling to another state or out of the country? Are you working on an action list to make sure everything is addressed and handled before you leave?
This summer how will you travel? Will it be with minor children or grandchildren who need their days planned with adventures or you are in need of an adventure, or just getting a change of scenery or traveling to an exotic place with your loved ones? As you begin to plan your summer travel, there is much to consider, but have you added your Florida estate planning to your action list? While, at first, it may not have crossed your mind, it should be on your action list as you prepare. We want to share a summer estate planning checklist to complete before your adventure begins here on our blog. With our advice you will be able to travel with peace of mind.
1. Make certain you have access to money, cash, and your bank accounts. What should you do if you need money while you are on vacation? Or you need to make bank transfers? Or you need to act on a business transaction or sell a piece of property? While you are not planning to need to do this while on your summer vacation, you never know if something could come up. Your agent, under your Florida durable power of attorney, can be given the legal authority to handle these transactions on your behalf, and even work with your experienced Florida estate planning attorney to make sure it is handled correctly.
2. Make certain you have health care decisions made. You need to decide who would make any healthcare decisions if you were injured, unconscious, or seriously harmed to the point where you are incapacitated and not able to make decisions for yourself? Your healthcare planning in your Florida advanced directives, will enable you to identify not only a primary person to act in your place, but alternative choices in the event they are unable to act as well.
3. Make certain you have a second in command. In a crisis, it is critical to identify who the second in command is for your lifetime decisions, such as healthcare and financial, and at the time of your passing. When you work with your experienced Florida estate planning attorney, she can make sure that your intentions are clear and known, as well as create the Florida estate plan that will give the authority to the person of your choosing.
4. Make certain to have travel insurance. These days most summer travel has the opportunity to be covered by travel insurance. Be mindful that the travel insurance company is not going to speak with someone who does not have legal authority to act on your behalf. Your Florida advanced directives will be a significant help should your travel insurance policy need to be activated by someone other than yourself.
5. Make certain to have a plan in an emergency. While traveling, if something serious happens to you, your Florida estate plan will hold all the details of what to do. With the guidance of your experienced Florida estate planning attorney, your agent and your personal representative can work with your attorney to ensure your goals for your person and your legacy are met.
In the end, be sure to ask your experienced Florida estate planning attorney what estate planning documents to bring with you on your summer vacation.
We know this topic may raise more questions that it answers and want to help you plan for the future, and the unexpected. Whether you're young and single or a married five-time great grandparent, your voice and wishes need to be known. Worley Elder Law, based in beautiful Bradenton, Florida, focuses on helping you understand your options in designing your Estate Plan or Elder Law needs. Whether it's preventative incapacity planning or establishing your legacy, we will take the time to explain every option and work with you to create a customized plan just as unique as you and your family are. Please do not hesitate to contact us to let us help you.