Do You Have An Emergency Binder? Being Prepared In A Crisis

We can’t always predict if an emergency or misfortune may strike, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be prepared. In the event of a natural disaster or some family emergency, would you know what to grab and be able to grab it in a matter of a few minutes, or even seconds? Having all your documents and important information organized in an emergency binder, along with your Estate Planning Portfolio, in an accessible location may save a lot of time and avoid a lot of headaches and frustration later on.

• What should be included in an Emergency Binder:
• Vital records such as Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificate, Copies of your Driver’s Licenses, Social Security cards, Naturalization Documents, Passports, and Child Custody Documents.
• Insurance policies (ie. Homeowners, Renters, Auto, Life, and Health)
• Real Estate Deeds, Rental Agreements
• Car Title and Registration
• Copies of your Estate Planning Documents (ie. Trust, Wills, Powers of Attorneys, Health Care Directive)
• A family emergency plan that has contact information and meeting place

While the above list is not exhaustive of what you may need in an emergency binder, with a simple search on the Internet, you can find plenty of emergency document checklists that would cater to your circumstances.  Place your Emergency Binder in a safe but accessible location. Putting it in a fireproof safe may be secure, but consider the amount of time to open it or remembering the access code. Organizing the vital documents will give you peace of mind and protect your family in a time of crisis.