2023.03.27

Vacations can be the perfect opportunity to relax, disconnect from work and responsibilities, and enjoy your spouse, partner, kids' or friend's  company. But before you head off on your next getaway, there's something else you should consider doing that might not sound quite as fun—creating an estate plan. While it may not sound like the most thrilling way to spend a day, here are some reasons why you need to think about your estate plans before you travel. 

• An estate plan ensures any medical decisions needed while away from home will be handled according to your wishes and with as much ease as possible, no matter what the rules are where something happens. For example, suppose you fall ill or become injured and can't make medical decisions for yourself. In that case, your estate plan will ensure that decisions will be made by the person you choose and with your indicated desires for your care at the forefront.
• Without an estate plan, your family or friends could have a heavy lift to get you back home, locate your assets, keep your bills paid, and even ensure your children get taken care of by the right people in the right way.
• Lastly, an estate plan provides that debts or liabilities are handled correctly in case something happens while on vacation. This can help prevent creditors from trying to collect from surviving family members after the fact — something no one wants to deal with during such a difficult time. 

Yes, Even Married Couples Need an Estate Plan

You might think that you don't need an estate plan because you are married. Or you might even think your Will is enough and would handle everything. But that's generally not the case.

Even if you are married, you still need medical powers of attorney, making it clear that you want your spouse making medical decisions for you or even potentially adding other decision-makers. You still want a Living Will to clarify how you want medical decisions made. 

Finally, if you have dependent children, you want to ensure you've made it as easy as possible for their care needs to be continued by the people you wish to, in the way you want. Without a plan, decisions around their care could be tied up for months, including access to the financial assets their caregivers would need to ensure they have what they need along the way.

The Benefits of Working With an Attorney 

While you can create an estate plan without legal assistance, there are severe risks to the people you love if your plan is not completed, not updated after it's been done once, or not completed correctly. The only guarantee for the people you love to have as much ease as possible is if you work with an experienced attorney specializing in estate planning, notably Life & Legacy Planning. As a Personal Family Lawyer® firm, we understand what needs to go into a thorough and complete estate plan — as well as the potential pitfalls or issues that could arise due to your unique personal and family dynamics — so you can rest assured knowing everything is being taken care of properly before you embark on your trip. 

As a Personal Family Lawyer®, we can advise you on other important documents such as Wills, Trusts, powers of attorney (POA), health care directives (HCD), and guardianship paperwork (for minor children) so you can make informed decisions based on what you want to have to happen if you become incapacitated or die. All these items should be considered when creating an effective estate plan — especially when one or both parties travel outside their home country at any point. 

Don't Let a Lack of Planning Dampen Your Vacation Spirits! 

Taking a few simple yet critically essential steps now can save you and your family considerable headaches down the road if anything were ever to happen while on the road—not only do we want you to enjoy each moment spent together, but we want peace of mind knowing that whatever comes your way is handled according to your wishes! 

We can help put a plan together now so you don't forget about this vital task before packing up for your next adventure. Ensuring all your affairs are in order will ensure nothing stands in the way between you and enjoying time together! Contact us today to get started. This article is courtesy of  Jacklyn A. Truppa of Dynasty Law, LLC service. We do not just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Family Wealth Planning Session™, during which you will get more financially organized than you've ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Family Wealth Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge. 

The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own, separate from this educational material.