| Freelance Articles by Mary King |
| This article is protected by Copyright. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication. |
| Do your children and other relatives know what your last wishes are? They may not be as informed as you think. Spare your loved ones the heartache and worry of making hard decisions. Build a Personal Emergency File. |
The death of a parent, grandparent or other relative is never easy. If you've ever been involved in carrying out
someone's last wishes, funeral planning or estate distribution, then you know how important it is to keep important
personal papers up-to-date. You know how important it is that at least one person knows where to find those
important documents, including (but not limited to), life and death medical decisions, funeral wishes, life insurance
papers and the person's will.
Building a Personal Emergency File
The best way to manage important estate papers, a will, declarations of final wishes (including organ donation
instructions), legal documents and medical directives is to organize the paperwork into a personal emergency file. It's
good to have at least three sets of all documents, but remember to update each set as time and situations dictate.
Original documents should be stored in a safe-deposit box.
Who should get a copy of your emergency file?
What Should You Put in a Personal Emergency File?
The magazine AAA Going Places gives insight to planning ahead in the September/October 2010 issue. Contributing
author Sandy Klim tells how important it is to build a personal emergency file in the article, "What Happens if the
Unexpected Occurs?" (Hard-copy magazine Pages 24-28). Klim says, "Today's complicated lifestyles make preparing
and maintaining an 'emergency file' more important than ever. Hopefully, it won't be needed for years to come – but
should something happen, family members would be able to move forward with decisions that reflect your wishes and
intentions."
What goes into a personal emergency file? Some documents, like a will for example, are obvious. Other papers may
not come to mind without a helpful reminder:
What Other Personal Records Go Into an Emergency File?
Directives as to the guardianship of any minor and/or disabled adult children should be included in the personal
emergency file. Provide detailed instructions as to who should have custody. Include a second choice or even a third
person.
You should also include in the file:
When Should You Build Your Personal Emergency File?
Begin building a personal emergency file right away, regardless of your adult age. Tragedy can strike when you least
expect. Review the file contents at least twice a year to make sure everything is up to date.
Remember, a personal emergency file is not a morbid good-bye, but is instead a thoughtful (and welcome) gift to
family members who can't think clearly in their time of crisis. Talk with your family members about your concerns and
directives. Let them know if you want to be an organ donor and/or how you'd like your funeral managed. Let them
know who has access to your most personal information so that your belongings and assets are distributed as you
desire. The effort you make now will save everyone a lot of extra worry and grief when the time comes.
someone's last wishes, funeral planning or estate distribution, then you know how important it is to keep important
personal papers up-to-date. You know how important it is that at least one person knows where to find those
important documents, including (but not limited to), life and death medical decisions, funeral wishes, life insurance
papers and the person's will.
Building a Personal Emergency File
The best way to manage important estate papers, a will, declarations of final wishes (including organ donation
instructions), legal documents and medical directives is to organize the paperwork into a personal emergency file. It's
good to have at least three sets of all documents, but remember to update each set as time and situations dictate.
Original documents should be stored in a safe-deposit box.
Who should get a copy of your emergency file?
- Keep a complete copy of your emergency file for yourself at home.
- A copy should be given to a trusted relative or friend who can take action quickly on medical directives should
you become unable to speak for yourself. - Give a complete copied set to your attorney.
What Should You Put in a Personal Emergency File?
The magazine AAA Going Places gives insight to planning ahead in the September/October 2010 issue. Contributing
author Sandy Klim tells how important it is to build a personal emergency file in the article, "What Happens if the
Unexpected Occurs?" (Hard-copy magazine Pages 24-28). Klim says, "Today's complicated lifestyles make preparing
and maintaining an 'emergency file' more important than ever. Hopefully, it won't be needed for years to come – but
should something happen, family members would be able to move forward with decisions that reflect your wishes and
intentions."
What goes into a personal emergency file? Some documents, like a will for example, are obvious. Other papers may
not come to mind without a helpful reminder:
- Insurance Policies. Review from time to time to make sure you have the coverage you need.
- Advance Directives. Specify decisions concerning medical care in the event of serious illness or injury.
- Living will. This legal document describes any medical or life-sustaining efforts you want or don't want.
- Do Not Resuscitate Order. A DNR order is a patient's statement declining cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
in the event the heart stops or breathing ceases. - Durable Power of Attorney. The person chosen as DPA is allowed to make estate and business decisions in
the event the client is medically and legally deemed unable to make such decisions. - Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. The person appointed to be the DPAHC shall make health care
decisions in the event the client is unconscious or is unable to make such decisions. - Will. Make sure the document is updated and valid. Name an executor to carry out any final wishes.
What Other Personal Records Go Into an Emergency File?
Directives as to the guardianship of any minor and/or disabled adult children should be included in the personal
emergency file. Provide detailed instructions as to who should have custody. Include a second choice or even a third
person.
You should also include in the file:
- Financial Materials. Make a list of retirement funds, stocks and creditors and assets. Include bank accounts,
death benefits, property, investments and any other sources of funds. Don't forget trust funds and college
funds. - Deeds and Mortgages. Make sure to include all properties.
- Registrations and Titles to Vehicles. Include insurance information and who should assume ownership of each
item. - Birth Certificate. Add a copy of marriage license(s) and divorce decree(s).
- Affiliations, charities, foundations. List any church affiliations, group or club memberships and organizations.
- Contact Information. List friends, distant relatives, church members, financial advisers and anyone else that
should be notified in the event of your death. - Funeral Wishes. Give specific information regarding the funeral home, the service and burial plot if there is
one. Supply documented proof if the funeral costs have been paid.
When Should You Build Your Personal Emergency File?
Begin building a personal emergency file right away, regardless of your adult age. Tragedy can strike when you least
expect. Review the file contents at least twice a year to make sure everything is up to date.
Remember, a personal emergency file is not a morbid good-bye, but is instead a thoughtful (and welcome) gift to
family members who can't think clearly in their time of crisis. Talk with your family members about your concerns and
directives. Let them know if you want to be an organ donor and/or how you'd like your funeral managed. Let them
know who has access to your most personal information so that your belongings and assets are distributed as you
desire. The effort you make now will save everyone a lot of extra worry and grief when the time comes.
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| Building a Personal Emergency File: Is It Really Necessary? |
January 21, 2012