Vacation should be a time to unwind, recharge, and enjoy life’s beautiful moments with the people you love. But before you head off on your next adventure, there are a few essential steps you should take to ensure peace of mind – for yourself and for those who count on you.
Here are five important legal and practical issues to review before you travel:
1. Is Your Estate Plan Current and Comprehensive?
Your estate plan is the instruction manual for your life and legacy. It tells your loved ones and trusted decision-makers how to care for you, your children, and your assets if something unexpected happens.
Whether you have a last will and testament or a revocable living trust, it’s crucial that these documents are current and reflect your true wishes. A will allows you to name guardians for minor children and direct who should receive your property after death – but it still requires probate. A revocable living trust, on the other hand, can help avoid court involvement altogether by holding and distributing your assets privately, efficiently, and according to your plan.
Before you leave town, take a moment to review your estate planning documents. Ask yourself:
- Are the people I’ve named still the right choices?
- Has anything in my life changed (new marriage, divorce, birth, death, or move)?
- Have all accounts and assets been properly titled or funded into the trust?
If you’re unsure, we can help you review and update your plan.
2. Who Can Manage Your Financial Affairs While You’re Away?
Imagine being overseas and needing someone to pay a bill, handle a banking issue, or sign important documents. A durable financial power of attorney allows someone you trust to step in and handle those matters on your behalf.
You can customize when this authority begins – either immediately or only if you become incapacitated. If you’re traveling internationally, giving your agent immediate authority may be the most practical option.
Whether it’s a limited scope (like a single transaction) or broad authority over your finances, your power of attorney should be crafted to suit your unique needs.
3. Who Will Make Medical Decisions If You Can’t?
Even the healthiest travelers can face a medical emergency. That’s why having healthcare directives is critical.
Be sure you have:
- A medical power of attorney (to designate someone to make healthcare decisions)
- A living will or advance healthcare directive (to express your end-of-life wishes)
- A HIPAA authorization (so your loved ones can access your medical information)
If you’ll be abroad for an extended stay, research the local laws to see if your U.S. documents will be recognized – or if additional paperwork is needed.
Also, check your health insurance coverage. Many policies don’t cover international care, so you may want to purchase short-term travel health insurance for added protection.
4. Are You Properly Insured for Travel and Life’s What-Ifs?
In addition to health coverage, consider these policies before you go:
- Travel insurance can cover cancellations, emergencies, or lost belongings – especially important for international trips.
- Life insurance should be reviewed to ensure your beneficiaries are properly listed and the policy covers the types of activities you plan to enjoy. Some policies exclude high-risk adventures like scuba diving or skydiving.
The right insurance ensures your loved ones are protected financially if the unthinkable happens.
5. Have You Made Arrangements for Your Children?
If you have minor children, vacation planning goes beyond flights and hotels.
If they’re traveling with you:
- Make sure their passports are valid.
- Some countries may require proof of guardianship or parental consent, especially if only one parent is traveling or the children have a different last name.
If your children are staying home:
- Sign a temporary guardianship or medical consent form so a trusted adult can make decisions in your absence.
- Ensure you’ve named long-term guardians in your estate plan in case something happens to you while away.
These documents allow someone you trust to care for your children with full legal authority, giving you the peace of mind to enjoy your time away.
We’re Here to Help – Before You Go
Preparing for a trip involves more than packing. It’s about making sure your life is in order, so you can travel with confidence and protect the people you love.
If you’re planning a trip, this is the perfect time to review or establish your estate plan. We can help you get everything in place so you can head out on your journey feeling calm, clear, and protected.
At Cheever Law, we don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love, starting with a valuable and educational Life & Legacy Planning Session. This will allow you to get more financially organized and make the best choices for the people you love. If you have already completed your estate plan, we will review that plan at your Life & Legacy Planning Session to ensure that it will work the way you intend and address any holes or gaps that may be present if circumstances have changed since you executed your plan.
To learn more about our one-of-a-kind systems and services, contact us or schedule a no-obligation 15-minute introductory phone call today.