How To Keep Your Estate Planning Documents Safe During A Natural Disaster
Floridians are no strangers to hurricanes, floods, and tropical storms. These natural disasters can wreak havoc on people’s homes, vehicles, and other belongings. One of the most important ways to prepare for these emergencies is to ensure that your estate planning documents are not only in place, but also that they are organized and stored securely so they are kept safe. Below, our Daytona Beach estate planning lawyer outlines tips to do it.
Go Digital
One of the best ways to keep your estate planning documents secure is to ensure there are digital copies. To do this you can scan the documents and store them in a secure cloud-based platform. This guarantees that even if the physical copies are destroyed, you can still obtain a copy from any location with internet access. In most cases, copies of original documents are acceptable in Florida.
Store Them in a Safe
Even with digital copies, having physical copies gives many people peace of mind. You can store your documents in a safe but you must ensure it is fireproof and waterproof. It is important to use a safe that is large enough to store all of your important documents, including titles to property, your will, and more. While you should also choose a safe that can withstand extreme conditions, you should keep it somewhere that is less vulnerable to disastrous conditions, such as on a higher floor of your home.
Safety Deposit Boxes
Using a safety deposit box has both advantages and drawbacks that you must plan for. These boxes, typically stored in climate-controlled locations at banks to protect them from natural disasters, are very secure. However, they can also be difficult to access, particularly if someone other than the other requires access. Ensure you provide proper authorization for others to access the safety deposit box and ask the bank how you can access the box during a natural disaster. To ensure you have access, also keep digital and physical copies of important documents.
Financial and Legal Professionals
Consider storing copies with your financial advisor or attorney. These professionals often have secure storage solutions for important paperwork, so you can have confidence that you can access your documents even if your own personal belongings are damaged during a natural disaster.
A Disaster Binder
Something as simple as a binder can be useful for organizing estate planning documents along with medical records and insurance policies. Keep the binder in a waterproof case to protect it during heavy rain or flooding. Also make sure it is clearly labelled and that you store it somewhere that is accessible so you can quickly grab it if you need to evacuate quickly.
Our Estate Planning Lawyer in Daytona Beach Provides Sound Legal Advice
Natural disasters can turn your life upside down and it is important to have as much security as possible afterward. At Bundza & Rodriguez, our Daytona Beach estate planning lawyer can provide the legal advice you need throughout the planning process and afterwards to ensure you and your family are protected. Call us now at 386-252-5170 or chat with us online to request a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2000/732.2025
