Getting away from their high-stress jobs, a couple spends weekends relaxing in their motor home. When they found their peace and quiet disturbed by well-meaning but unwelcome visits from other campers, they devised a plan to assure themselves some privacy. Now when they set up camp, they place this sign on the door of their motor home: “Insurance Agents. Ask about our term life package.”
What do reading, making lists, planning, consulting and prioritizing have in common? They are elements that can lead to an enjoyable and stress-free vacation. However, before leaving for your adventure, you must consider several often-overlooked items.
The most important planning element that is often overlooked is medical planning. When planning a vacation, one typically looks at where, when and how to get there. But you must consider what medical issues are important if this vacation is to be meaningful. First make a list of all of the medicines you are taking and the appropriate doctors’ phone numbers to be reached should it be necessary. Make sure you have your insurance medical cards with you and make copies in case they are lost.
Along with specific medical needs, the proper legal documents also need to be in place. It is recommended that everyone have the following documents in place before they take off for that big trip: a medical power of attorney, HIPAA forms, a living will and a mental healthcare power of attorney. Although not truly needed for a vacation, we still educate our clients on the value of having a living trust in place. This spells out to whom, when and how your assets will be distributed if something were to happen unexpectedly. The unexpected does not always happen where we live; we should always be prepared for it regardless of where we are. Further, your will and trust should be reviewed or undertaken at least two months prior to your trip for valuable peace of mind.
For those who have minor children, it is important to have a parental consent form in place that provides for the children’s healthcare in the event of an emergency and allows the agent designated to make certain decisions on their behalf. This should be given to the individual(s) responsible for the children while you’re away. Be sure to include the proper health insurance information and copies of health cards.
Docubank is a company that can be very helpful in travel as well as in our daily lives. This company acts as storage for your healthcare documents. They issue a card that looks very similar to a credit card with an 800 number on it. If you wind up with a medical emergency, you may call that number, and DocuBank will fax your healthcare documents to any hospital, surgery center or doctor’s office at your direction within 30 minutes of the request. Often a travel agent can help with planning itineraries, local attractions, booking reservations and important services around your destination. Carefully consider the weather conditions before you pack and ensure that important items such as medications, chargers and important documents are with you at all times. Lost luggage still occurs, and not having those items with you could start a stressful situation.
Consider buying travel insurance – it may be one of your best buys. This is particularly true if you’re going on an extended trip! If a passport is needed, make sure that yours it up to date well in advance and packed in a safe place. Make copies of your passport and keep them separate from the original.
Finally, consider who is taking care of the alarm on your home while you’re gone, or if someone is going to be in your home. Let the alarm company know who might be there or who may be stopping by your home to make sure everything is in order. Remember your mail and newspaper situation – is it being held or is someone coming by on a daily basis to collect it? If no one is going to be in your home on a regular basis, have lights that come on as a safety precaution. Make sure your neighbors are aware of your leaving, and let them know where you can be reached should an emergency develop. By exercising many of these concepts, your vacation will be stressless and most of all memorable.
Roland G. Wilson is a Partner at Morris, Hall & Kinghorn, PLLC. Ron is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and an Accredited Estate Planner from the National Association of Estate Planning Councils. He also has served on multiple planned giving committees in the Phoenix area including the Arthritis Foundation, Phoenix Art Museum and the Valley of the Sun YMCA. morristrust.com | 888-222-1328
