Each year during the spring and summer, many individuals take vacations to the beach, ski slopes, or various foreign locations. During the trip planning process for many people, not enough consideration is made for various estate planning concerns. Instead, individuals focus on budgeting time and finances to make such a trip possible. Individuals, however, who plan to go on even small vacations should make sure to perform adequate estate planning.
With reports showing that paid holidays are available to 77 percent of private industry workers, there are a large number of individuals who have the option to take vacations each year in the United States. One of the most common ways in which accidents occur during vacations are automobile accidents, with particularly dangerous holidays including New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, and Independence Day. Because accidents without adequate estate planning can be particularly severe, a skilled estate planning attorney can prove to be especially useful.
Estate Planning Advice Before Traveling
There are certain pieces of advice that individuals should follow before traveling, which includes the following elements:
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Create or Revise Documents Concerning Incapacity. Before an extended period of traveling, an individual should make sure that they have drafted a durable power of attorney which provides another person the legal authority to make healthcare decisions in case the individual becomes incapacitated as well. It is also a wise idea for an individual before traveling to provide written authorization under HIPPA so that trusted individuals can speak to a medical facility in the event of incapacity.
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Discuss Your Estate Plan With Your Children and Close Relatives. Individuals should make sure to discuss their estate plans with their children and close relatives so that these individuals appreciate the essential elements of the individual’s end-of-life plans in the event a serious accident occurs.
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Make Sure That Estate Planning Is Done. Before substantial traveling, an individual should make sure that their estate planning documents are written and accurately reflect the individual's intentions. If an individual’s estate plans are already completed, an individual should review the policies with particular attention to whether any changes have occurred in the individual’s life that would affect their estate plans. If any changes have occurred, individuals should make sure that their estate plans are appropriately revised.
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Particularly Review The Plans Regarding Minor Children. If an individual has not yet named a guardian who is able and willing to take care of a minor child and a tragedy happens, a Colorado court will likely be forced to decide who will raise children. If an individual has already named a guardian for a minor child in estate plans, it is often a wise idea to consider if this guardian is still the best choice before extensive traveling.
How a Skilled Colorado Estate Planning Attorney Can Help You
When individuals become incapacitated for any reason or medical emergencies occur, estate planning advice can prove to be critical. If you require the assistance of an estate planning power of attorney document, the legal counsel at Whitcomb, Selinsky, & McAuliffe, PC has helped many individuals respond to these issues. Contact our firm online or call our practice at (866) 476-4558.
