Many of us will be traveling as we head into the Christmas and Hanukkah Holidays. Remember to make sure that your Passport or your “New” Driver’s License is up to date and current with you. It will be needed at the Airport to get through Security.
If we are going to be traveling by automobile, it’s a good time to have your automobile tuned-up and check the tires for air pressure. A motor vehicle that sits outside will often lose 5 pounds of air pressure when the weather turns cold quickly. You want to keep those tires inflated fully to get better traction, and better wear over time.
When you are traveling you want to make sure that your Estate Planning documents are up to date. You will want to make sure that you have the proper person named as your “Helper” on your Health Care Power of Attorney. You will want to make sure that you have the right “Back-up” in place. These are the people that are able to authorized medical treatment if you are unconscious. You will also want someone who is a “Strong Advocate”. That is someone who can say “No, we are going to go to Duke Hospital or Mayo Clinic”. You need someone who will push hard for your best care, and will do what you desire, as opposed to their own personal desires.
You want to make sure that your Health Care Designations are up to date so that those you want to will be able to get medical information about you in the event that you are in the hospital. You want to make sure that your Living Will is up to date and proper so that if you end up in a terrible “End of Life” situation where you have been brain damaged from a stroke or automobile accident, and you are in a “Persistent Vegetative Condition”, Brain Dead, you want to make sure that you are not “Warehoused”. You want the Medical Authority to be there to take you off of the ventilator as needed.
Make sure you give one of your loved ones a copy of your Travel Agenda. This is especially important if you are flying so that they will know what flights that you are on, what rental cars you are using and where you are going to be. Also, make sure to make a call or Text to your loved ones to let them know that you have arrived at your Destination.
Travel can be one of the Great Adventures of Life, especially as we age and might have more flexibility and time and money. However, we do better if we are prepared for everything.
Safe Travels!
At the Law Firm of Steven Andrew Jackson, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, we have helped hundreds of families protect themselves and their loved ones, avoid Estate Taxes and Probate Costs, and keep their Estate Plans current with the law through The Customized Protective Estate Planning Solution™.