Florida residents who live in the path of a natural disaster could lose their homes in an instant. That could result in losing important estate planning documents. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a backup plan that accounts for a possible worst-case situation. Individuals may choose to store information online, in boxes that can withstand strong elements or in a wallet or purse that’s always on them.
It’s also important to know what information is worth keeping safe. For instance, a person should make sure that they can reference a phone number or email address for a financial or legal adviser. Copies of a will, HIPPA waivers and other legal documents should be made and stored wherever they can be kept safe. The title to a home or car will also need to be accessible at all times.
Tax returns and medical information should also be kept safe in the event that a home or other storage center is destroyed or compromised. The good news is that many important documents are kept by an adviser or can be replaced upon request. However, it is never a good idea to assume that this is the case. If records are stored online, it may be best to keep the online vault password separate from others for security reasons.
Working with an estate and probate administration attorney can make it easier to keep records organized, secure and easily accessible. This can be helpful in the event of an emergency that forces a person to rebuild. It can also be helpful after a person passes as family members will know where everything is. Having access to pertinent records will make it easier to settle an estate according to the deceased’s wishes.
