Summer Travel Plans? Don’t Forget These Estate Planning Essentials Before You Go
I love summer! Pool time, festivals, and one of my all-time favorite activities - summer travel! Summer is the perfect time for getaways— whether you’re headed to the beach, taking a family road trip, or hopping on a flight overseas. But while you're busy packing swimsuits, booking tours, and creating itineraries, it’s easy to forget one very important part of trip preparation: making sure your estate plan is in order.
At Ballinger Legal, we believe that a little planning ahead can give you peace of mind while you’re away—and help ensure that your family is protected no matter what life brings.
Here are some estate planning essentials to consider before your summer vacation:
✅ 1. Review Your Will and Trust
Before you travel, it’s a good time to make sure your will or trust still reflects your wishes. Have there been any changes in your family structure, finances, or beneficiaries since you last updated your plan? If you’ve recently bought a new home, added children or grandchildren to your family, or changed your preferences about how your assets should be distributed, now is the time to make updates.
📝 2. Execute a Power of Attorney
If something happens while you’re away and decisions need to be made—whether it’s paying bills, handling a legal matter, or managing your business—a Power of Attorney ensures someone you trust can act on your behalf. This is especially important if you’ll be traveling internationally or will be out of touch for extended periods.
❤️ 3. Prepare Healthcare Directives
No one wants to think about medical emergencies while on vacation, but it’s always better to be prepared. A Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will allow someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself, and guide those decisions based on your values and wishes.
📄 4. Update Beneficiary Designations
Review your life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and any accounts with designated beneficiaries. These designations override your will, so they must be accurate and up-to-date.
👨👩👧 5. Plan for Your Children
If you have minor children, your estate plan should name guardians who can care for them if something happens to you. This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent, and summer travel is a good reminder to ensure that your guardianship designations are legally documented and current.
💻 6. Organize and Share Key Information
Let a trusted loved one know where to find your estate planning documents in case of an emergency. You might also include copies of travel insurance, passports, and emergency contact info in a secure shared location or folder before leaving town.
✈️ Peace of Mind = A Better Vacation
Whether you’re heading on a weekend getaway or an international adventure, getting your estate planning in order before you go helps protect what matters most. And that peace of mind lets you focus on what summer travel is really about—making memories with the people you love.
Need help updating or creating your estate plan before your trip?
Ballinger Legal offers streamlined, family-friendly planning options that work with your schedule. Schedule a consultation or reach out to us today—we’ll help you feel confident and covered before you pack your bags.
