This one is a bit more serious, but a topic that needs to be discussed.
If you're reading this post, there is a good chance that you have a child or multiple children. Are you prepared to handle your affairs regarding your home, vehicle, and children in the event of an emergency?
There are things ALL families should have in place. If there is a snow storm, hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, etc. you need to be prepared. Do you have an emergency kit, preferably stocked for AT LEAST 3 days worth of food, clean water, dry clothes, flashlights (with fresh batteries), $100+ in cash (in case credit card machines/ATMs are down after a disaster), etc.? Do you have a fireproof/water resistant safe for your important documents (Birth certificates, vehicle titles, home deed/leasing agreement, social security cards, Wills, Power of Attorney, etc.)? Do you have a list of emergency contacts, an evacuation plan and meet up location for your family home?
For military spouses, please make sure your emergency plans are up to date. We all know the Murphy's Law of deployments. Best not to be is a sticky situation with your spouse gone! Part of our preparation is a PoA from the service member to handle financial matters are their behalf (car registration, homeowners/renters/car insurance claims, etc.)
Now the morbid part: do you have a plan for your death?
It's something no one wants to think about, the day we die. Most people don't consider the aftermath of their death and don't prepare for it until later in life. I was 19 when I had to plan for my death. NO! Not suicide, but because of my military service. I was preparing to deploy and one of the out-processing requirements was to update my SGLI beneficiary, my Will, and my medical Power of Attorney.
As grim as it is, service members aren't the only ones that need to consider an untimely death. As parents, we have a responsibility to our children to be prepared for their wellbeing after we pass. Things you need in place if you pass:
A Will: this document will detail who receives your estate after your death, who will be guardian to your children, and what arrangements you want made for your funeral. Be sure to identify who will serve as a back up guardian if your primary is unavailable (passed before you, medically/financially/emotionally ill-equipped, etc.) Ensure the person you appoint as guardian will be financially stable and responsible. The person appointed as guardian should not abuse life insurance inheritance to your children. In your will, also include any persons you do NOT want serving as executor of your estate, guardian to your children, or to inherit any portion of your estate.
<b>Military- Register your children with Child and Youth Services! Even if you don't take your kids toon post daycare, this will save your family a headache if something happens while your spouse is deployed! If you pass or become medically incapacitated while your spouse is deployed or away for training and do not have a plan in place, you children CAN end up in foster care and it may take MONTHS for your spouse to get them back! By registering your children with CYS, your children will be placed in foster homes specific for military families in this situation and it may only take a few days for your spouse to get custody of your kids back! Also! Make sure your DD93 (Record of Emergency Data) is up to date for your household!</b>
Life Insurance: <b>Military- is your SGLI up to date?</b> Do you have enough life insurance? You should have enough life insurance to cover your funeral arrangements, debt, and future care of your children. <b>Military- you may need to take out an extra life insurance policy to cover all of your expenses. </b> As mentioned above, ensure the person responsible for managing your estate will not abuse any money in the life insurance inheritance. You want to make sure your children are cared for approptiately, not that the guardian blows through all of the money and leaves your children with nothing.
Medical Power of Attorney: In the event that you do not die but rather become medically incapacitatie, you also need a plan in place. Do you want to remain on life support? Do you want to be an organ donor? Could you be pregnant and want to remain on life support until the baby is born? Are you opposed to any kind of medication? Does the executor of your PoA know all of your allergies? If not, this should be included in your PoA. You should also identify what items the executor of your PoA can act on your behalf.
I know this was a tough pill to swallow, but we got trrough it! The lesson: ALWAYS be prepared!h
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