Emergency Estate Planning Checklist: What to Do Right Now

Sometimes life doesn't give you months to create the perfect estate plan. Maybe you're facing emergency surgery tomorrow, deploying overseas next week, or just received a serious diagnosis. Perhaps you've procrastinated for years and finally realize you need protection immediately. Whatever brought you here, this chapter provides a rapid-action checklist to create essential protection in hours, not months. We'll show you exactly what to do today, tonight, and this week to ensure your family has basic protection while you work on comprehensive planning. These aren't perfect solutions, but they're infinitely better than leaving your family with nothing. Let's get you protected right now.

Hour 1: Critical Information Gathering (Right Now)

Stop everything else and spend the next 60 minutes gathering essential information. Your family's protection depends on having accurate details.

Immediate Action List

Personal Information (10 minutes)

Write down: - Your full legal name - Social Security number - Date of birth - Current address - Phone numbers - Email addresses

Family Information (10 minutes)

List for each family member: - Full legal names - Dates of birth - Social Security numbers - Addresses - Relationships - Phone numbers

Asset Quick List (20 minutes)

Don't aim for perfection, just capture: - Bank names and approximate balances - Investment account firms - Retirement account companies - Life insurance companies and amounts - Real estate addresses - Vehicle descriptions - Business interests - Significant personal property

Debt Summary (10 minutes)

Note: - Mortgage holders - Credit card companies - Auto loans - Student loans - Personal loans - Business debts

Key Contacts (10 minutes)

Record: - Employer HR department - Insurance agents - Financial advisors - Attorney (if any) - Accountant/tax preparer - Close family friend

Emergency Worksheet Template

` EMERGENCY ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHEET Date: _____________

MY INFORMATION: Name: _______________________________ SSN: ___-__-____ DOB: __/__/____ Address: ____________________________

SPOUSE/PARTNER: Name: _______________________________ SSN: ___-__-____ DOB: __/__/____

CHILDREN: 1. Name: _____________ DOB: __/__/____ 2. Name: _____________ DOB: __/__/____ 3. Name: _____________ DOB: __/__/____

EMERGENCY CONTACTS: 1. _________________ Ph: ____________ 2. _________________ Ph: ____________

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT: Checking: $________ at ______________ Savings: $_________ at ______________ 401(k): $__________ at ______________ Life Ins: $________ with ____________ Home Value: $_______ Mortgage: $_______

URGENT DECISIONS: Executor: __________________________ Guardian: __________________________ Healthcare Agent: __________________ `

Hour 2: Healthcare Directives (Do This Today)

Healthcare documents are the easiest to complete and provide immediate protection.

Living Will/Advance Directive (30 minutes)

Immediate Steps:

1. Go to your state government website 2. Search "[Your State] advance directive" 3. Download the official form 4. Print multiple copies

Quick Completion Guide:

- Check boxes for your preferences - Most people choose: No artificial life support if terminal - Sign and date - Have two witnesses sign (not family) - Make 5 copies immediately

Common Quick Choices:

- Life support: "Only if recovery likely" - Feeding tube: "Only if temporary" - Pain medication: "Yes, even if hastens death" - Organ donation: "Yes" or "No" - Specific instructions: "Follow my agent's decisions"

Healthcare Power of Attorney (30 minutes)

Choose Your Agent Quickly:

Best options in order: 1. Spouse/partner 2. Adult child 3. Sibling 4. Close friend 5. Other family member

Quick Selection Criteria:

- Lives nearby (helpful but not required) - Answers phone reliably - Stays calm in crisis - Will advocate for you - Knows your values

Rapid Completion:

- Use state form - Name primary agent - Name alternate agent - Grant full authority - Include HIPAA release - Sign with witnesses

Emergency Distribution Plan

Make copies immediately for: - Your wallet (card with agent info) - Your car glove box - Kitchen drawer - Spouse/partner - Healthcare agent - Primary doctor (call tomorrow)

Hour 3: Financial Power of Attorney (Complete Tonight)

This document ensures someone can handle your finances if you can't.

Rapid POA Creation

Quick Agent Selection:

Consider: - Most trustworthy person - Financially responsible - Available when needed - Willing to serve - Can handle pressure

Often same as healthcare agent, but not required.

Fast-Track Process:

1. Download state financial POA form 2. Grant broad powers (you can limit later) 3. Make it "durable" (survives incapacity) 4. Make it effective immediately 5. Sign before notary 6. Create multiple originals

Emergency Powers to Include:

Check all boxes for: - Banking transactions - Bill paying - Investment management - Real estate dealings - Tax matters - Insurance handling - Government benefits - Legal matters

Tonight's Notarization Options:

- 24-hour UPS stores - Mobile notaries (search online) - Hospital notaries (if applicable) - Banks (during business hours) - AAA offices (members)

Day 2: Basic Will Creation (Tomorrow Morning)

Even a simple will is better than no will. Create basic protection now, improve later.

Morning: Draft Your Will (2 hours)

Option 1: State Statutory Will

Fastest option: - Download your state's fill-in-blank will - Complete all sections - Focus on getting it done, not perfect - Plan to improve later

Option 2: Free Online Will

If state form unavailable: - FreeWill.com (30 minutes) - DoYourOwnWill.com - Willing.com - Follow prompts - Print immediately

Critical Will Decisions (Make Quickly)

Executor Choice:

Order of consideration: 1. Spouse 2. Most responsible adult child 3. Sibling 4. Trusted friend 5. Professional (bank/attorney)

Name alternate!

Guardian for Minor Children:

Emergency decision factors: - Values alignment - Parenting ability - Financial stability - Geographic location - Willingness

Name alternate!

Asset Distribution:

Keep it simple: - "All to spouse" - "If no spouse, equally to children" - "If no children, to siblings equally" - Specific items can wait

Emergency Will Template

` LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

I, [NAME], residing at [ADDRESS], being of sound mind, declare this my Last Will and Testament.

1. I revoke all prior wills.

2. I appoint [NAME] as Executor. If unavailable, I appoint [ALTERNATE NAME].

3. I direct my Executor to pay all debts and expenses.

4. I give all my property to my spouse, [NAME]. If my spouse predeceases me, I give all my property equally to my children.

5. If I have minor children, I nominate [NAME] as Guardian. If unavailable, I nominate [ALTERNATE NAME].

Signed: _________________ Date: _______

WITNESSES: We saw [NAME] sign this Will.

Witness 1: _______________ Address: _______________ Witness 2: _______________ Address: _______________ `

Afternoon: Execute Your Will (1 hour)

Emergency Execution Checklist:

- [ ] Print final version - [ ] Gather two witnesses (not beneficiaries) - [ ] State: "This is my Last Will and Testament" - [ ] Sign at the bottom - [ ] Witnesses sign immediately - [ ] Date all signatures - [ ] Make copies - [ ] Store original safely

Day 3-7: Asset Protection and Organization

With basic documents done, focus on asset protection and family preparation.

Day 3: Beneficiary Designations (2 hours)

Morning: Inventory

List all accounts needing beneficiaries: - 401(k) at work - IRAs - Life insurance - Bank accounts - Investment accounts

Afternoon: Update

For each account: 1. Call or go online 2. Request beneficiary change form 3. Complete immediately 4. Submit same day 5. Request confirmation

Quick Beneficiary Strategy:

- Primary: Spouse (if married) - Contingent: Children equally - Second contingent: Siblings - Avoid: "My estate"

Day 4: Digital Asset Security (2 hours)

Critical Digital Tasks:

1. Change important passwords 2. Enable two-factor authentication 3. Document access methods (securely) 4. Set up legacy contacts where available 5. Create digital asset inventory

Emergency Digital Inventory:

` DIGITAL ASSET EMERGENCY LIST (Store Securely - NOT in Will)

Email: __________ Recovery: __________ Banking: ________ 2FA: ______________ Investments: ____ Contact: __________ Social Media: ___ Legacy Contact: ____ Phone PIN: ______ Backup: ___________ Computer PWD: ___ Location: _________ `

Day 5: Financial Organization (3 hours)

Morning: Account List

Create master list: - Institution name - Account type - Account number (last 4 digits) - Approximate balance - Contact information - Online access info (separately)

Afternoon: Document Gathering

Collect in one place: - Recent statements - Insurance policies - Deeds and titles - Tax returns (2 years) - Debt information - Employment benefits

Day 6: Family Communication (2 hours)

Essential Conversations:

With Spouse/Partner:

- Document locations - Account information - Key contacts - Your wishes - Their role

With Executor:

- Their responsibilities - Document location - Key contacts - General asset info - Your wishes

With Guardian (if applicable):

- Your parenting values - Children's needs - Financial provisions - Extended family dynamics - Educational priorities

Emergency Family Meeting Agenda:

1. "I've created basic estate documents" 2. "Here's where they're located" 3. "These are my key wishes" 4. "Here's who to contact" 5. "I'll create more detailed plans soon" 6. "Questions?"

Day 7: Backup and Security (2 hours)

Document Security Plan:

Physical Copies:

- Original will: Fireproof safe - POA copies: Multiple locations - Healthcare directives: Wallet card - Beneficiary confirmations: With will - Account list: Separate from passwords

Digital Backup:

- Scan all documents - Encrypt files - Cloud storage backup - USB drive backup - Share with trusted person

Access Instructions:

Create simple instruction sheet: ` EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS

If something happens to me:

1. Documents in: [Location] 2. Safe combination: [Separate location] 3. Lawyer: [Name/phone] 4. Key contacts list: [Location] 5. Digital passwords: [Secure location] 6. First steps checklist: [Location] `

Ongoing: What to Do After the Emergency

Once immediate pressure passes, improve your planning:

Week 2: Review and Refine

- Review all emergency documents - Fix any errors or omissions - Add specific bequests to will - Clarify any ambiguities - Consider trust needs

Month 2: Comprehensive Planning

- Read relevant chapters in this book - Create detailed asset inventory - Develop tax strategies - Consider professional review - Update based on knowledge

Month 3: Full Implementation

- Create trusts if needed - Complete tax planning - Fund all strategies - Update all documents - Communicate with family

Special Emergency Situations

Deployment/Extended Travel

Additional urgent steps: - Military power of attorney - Family care plan - Overseas contact methods - Emergency fund access - Return plans

Serious Diagnosis

Extra considerations: - Treatment preference details - Experimental therapy stance - Quality of life definitions - Comfort care priorities - Family communication plan

Business Owners

Critical additions: - Business succession instructions - Key employee contacts - Client notification plan - Credential documentation - Operating authority

Your 72-Hour Emergency Checklist

Day 1 (Today)

- [ ] Morning: Gather information (1 hour) - [ ] Afternoon: Healthcare directives (2 hours) - [ ] Evening: Financial POA (1 hour)

Day 2 (Tomorrow)

- [ ] Morning: Draft will (2 hours) - [ ] Afternoon: Execute will (1 hour) - [ ] Evening: Make copies (30 minutes)

Day 3 (Day After)

- [ ] Morning: Update beneficiaries (2 hours) - [ ] Afternoon: Organize documents (2 hours) - [ ] Evening: Family communication (1 hour)

Critical Reminders

This Is Temporary

- Emergency planning isn't perfect - Provides basic protection - Improve when time allows - Still legally valid - Infinitely better than nothing

Common Emergency Mistakes

- Rushing execution requirements - Choosing wrong people in haste - Forgetting beneficiaries - Not communicating - Stopping after emergency

When to Get Help

Even in emergencies, seek help if: - Estate over $1 million - Complex family situation - Business interests - Multi-state property - Tax concerns

Emergency estate planning isn't ideal, but it's essential when time is short. In just 72 hours, you can create basic protection that could save your family hundreds of thousands of dollars and years of heartache. Don't let perfect be the enemy of done—take action now.

Start with healthcare directives today. They're free, simple, and provide immediate protection. Then work through this checklist systematically. Your family needs protection now, not perfection later.

Remember: You can always improve these documents when the emergency passes. What matters is having something in place today.

In our final chapter, we'll show you how to properly store and share these critical documents so they're available when needed most.