Estate Planning in an Emergency: 3 Must-Have Forms

It’s easy for even the most prepared and responsible of adults to put off estate planning. But when unexpected emergencies rear their ugly heads, the last thing you want to worry about is scrambling to fill out unfinished estate planning paperwork.

Waiting until a medical emergency to complete estate planning documents can ultimately be a downfall for you, your family, and your assets. Read on to know the most important forms you need for emergencies and a few others that will help complete your estate plan.

Estate Planning Statistics
What is an Estate Plan?
Emergency Estate Planning Must-Haves
Additional Estate Planning Documents
Video
Sources

Estate Planning Statistics

Nearly half of Americans over age 55 do not have a will¹
83% of Americans 72 and older have a healthcare power of attorney²
47% of Americans believe estate planning is for the wealthy³
Approximately 25% of all deaths occur before age 65⁴

What is an Estate Plan?

Before we talk about an estate plan, there should be an understanding of the word “estate.” A person’s “estate” is everything that makes up their net worth — from land to possessions to cash to other assets.

Estate plans are future arrangements for you and the things you possess. While the word “estate” may imply that these actions are reserved for someone wealthy, estate plans aren’t exclusive arrangements and you don’t need to own a sprawling estate to make one. In fact, every adult should have one, no matter what you do or don’t own. Plus, estate plans don’t only regulate your possessions — they also help carry out your medical wishes in the event of an emergency.

3 Emergency Estate Planning Must-Haves

There are three essential forms to have in case of an emergency, and these should be at the top of everyone’s estate planning checklist.

Last Will and Testament

The testator creates the will while they are alive, but no action takes place until the person dies. The testator names a living person as the executor, and when the time comes, they are responsible for administering the estate under the supervision of a probate court.

If you die without a will, the court is in full control of the distribution of your assets as well as choosing guardians for minor children.

Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney

A durable (financial) power of attorney allows a person you trust to act as your agent for your business and financial matters. A few common things a durable POA allows your representative to handle are:

Banking
Taxes
Insurance
Real Estate
Lending/Borrowing
Paying Bills

If you don’t have a durable power of attorney and you become incapacitated, it may take a long time before a trusted family member is able to access your accounts to pay your mortgage, rent, medical bills, utilities, car payments, and so forth. Many issues can arise because of a lack of a designated agent — even foreclosures or evictions.

Durable powers can be enacted at the time of signing, at a later date, or upon the principal’s incapacitation. But the importance of having the document be durable is that your agent can manage your affairs in the event of a medical emergency.

Advance Healthcare Directive/Medical Power of Attorney

Medical powers of attorney are also called advance healthcare directives or healthcare proxies, depending on your state. These documents activate upon incapacitation and allow an agent of your choice — usually a trusted family member — to make your medical decisions in the event you are unable.

When creating this document, it’s best to sit down with your intended agent and speak with them about your specific wishes, even though directives will be written out in the form. Matters to talk about are:

End of life care
Hospitalization
Homestay care
Surgical intervention
Organ donation

Additional Estate Planning Documents

For a complete estate plan, you should also have the following documents:

Letter of intent: A document left to your executor or a beneficiary that communicates special requests, such as funeral arrangements, and what should be done with your assets.

Guardianship Designations: Many wills and trusts include this clause, but some do not. If you have a minor, make sure to create clear and binding instructions.

Beneficiary Designations: Make sure that beneficiaries on accounts that don’t need to pass through wills and trusts — such as 401Ks or life insurance policies — are updated.