Summer time is a great time for travel, are you ready? Do you enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends? Are you planning to stay local or are you traveling to another state or out of the country? Now that the pandemic has lessened in its impact the travel choices seem countless.
Are you traveling with minor children or grandchildren who will need their days planned with adventures? Are you traveling for a change of scenery or to visit an exotic place with your loved ones? As you begin to plan your summer travel have you considered adding your Florida estate planning to your action list? It may not have crossed your mind initially, but it should be on your action list as you prepare. We want to share a Florida estate planning travel checklist for you to think about and complete before your summer adventure. It is right here on our blog. With our suggestions you will be able to travel with peace of mind.
- Think about having access to money, cash, and your bank accounts. While you are on vacation what can you do if you need money? Or if you need to make bank transfers? Or if you need to act on a business transaction or sell a piece of property? While you may not anticipate needing to do this while you are 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.
- Think about having health care decisions made. If you were injured, unconscious, or seriously harmed to the point where you were incapacitated and not able to make decisions for yourself who would make those decisions? Your healthcare planning in your Florida advanced directives, will let you identify not only a primary person to act in your place, but alternative choices in the event they are unable to act as well.
- Think about who will have the care of your kids, and your pets. If you are not planning to take your children or your pets on your vacation then you need to decide who will have the legal authority to care for your kids and your pets while you are away. This important decision needs to be made sooner rather than later. In addition, you will need to decide if this is temporary care or if this person could be a legal custodian should something serious happen to you.
- Think about having a second in command. When a crisis occurs it is important to have a second in command for your lifetime decisions, such as healthcare and financial, and at the time of your passing. By working with your experienced Florida estate planning attorney, he 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.
- Think about having travel insurance. Nowadays most summer travel has the opportunity to be covered by travel insurance. Just like we mentioned above with other circumstances, the travel insurance company is only going to speak with someone who has the 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.
- Think about having an emergency plan. Unfortunately life happens and 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 be sure your goals for your person and your legacy are met.
As a final point, be sure to ask your experienced Florida estate planning attorney what estate planning documents to bring with you on your summer vacation.
We know you may have questions about this, and many other, estate planning issues. At the Perlin Estate Planning & Probate our credentials enable us to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to our legal services. By building relationships with our clients, we are also able to understand each client’s needs and desires, and we support such goals through thoughtful, comprehensive planning techniques. We encourage you to contact us and schedule a meeting.