Emergencies do not wait. Illness, injury, or worse can arrive without warning. In that moment, confusion is the enemy. Clear direction is a gift.
Enter the Estate Plan Go-Bag.
Not a literal bag with zippers and compartments. Think of it as a set of essential documents, grouped and ready, that allow your loved ones to act swiftly. No second-guessing. No panic. Just a clear path forward.
1. Your Will or Trust
This is the blueprint. Without it, courts decide. That process takes time, adds expense, and often creates conflict.
What should be included:
- A signed, witnessed original copy
- Any updates or amendments
- A short list of assets tied to your trust, if applicable
Label the original version clearly. Make it easy to find, not buried under paperwork or stuck in a drawer with insurance flyers and expired coupons.
2. Power of Attorney
This one gets overlooked more often that you’d expect. Yet it’s they key that unlocks your finances if you’re unavailable. Bills keep coming. Accounts need attention. Someone must be able to step in.
Your designated agent should know:
- Where the document is
- Which powers you’ve granted
- How to use it if you’re incapacitated
Do not assume that being a spouse or adult child gives automatic authority. It doesn’t.
3. Health Care Proxy and Advance Directives
Sudden hospitalization? These are the documents that speak when you cannot.
You need:
- A named healthcare agent
- Instructions about life support, resuscitation, organ donation
- Emergency contact information for your agent
Keep a copy with your primary care physician and another in the Go-Bag. Clarity here avoids agonizing delays and difficult choices for loved ones already under stress.
4. Life insurance Details and Beneficiary Designations
The plan exists. The payout should too.
Include:
- Contact info for your insurance provider
- Policy number and summary
- A copy of the beneficiary form
Many people assume the will governs everything. It doesn’t. Beneficiary forms override your will. If they’re outdated, your assets could go to an ex-spouse or someone else entirely.
5. A Simple Letter of Guidance
This is not a legal document. But it matters.
Write a short letter with the location of passwords, key contacts, your wishes for things like pets, digital accounts, or specific belongings with sentimental value.
You can also include:
- Funeral preferences
- Names of professionals you trust (attorney, CPA, financial advisor)
- Any personal notes for your family
This is where you get to be human. Personal. Clear.
How to Store It
Use a fireproof folder or locked cabinet. Let your key people know where to find it. If you prefer digital, use an encrypted vault, but make sure access details are also in the Go-Bag.
No good comes from secrecy in crisis. Share what matters, while you can.
Need help creating or updating these documents? Our team provides guidance and clarity through every step. We’re here to help you prepare, not react.
