Most of us don’t like to think about emergencies, and honestly, who can blame us? Life is busy enough without imagining worst-case scenarios. But taking the time now to get your paperwork in order can make a huge difference later—especially for the people you care about. Emergencies don’t wait until we feel “ready,” which is why having these five essential documents can help protect your health, your finances, and your family if the unexpected happens.
1. Health Care Directive
Also known as a Living Will, this document allows you to spell out the kind of medical care you would want—or wouldn’t want—if you were too sick or injured to speak for yourself. Think of it as your voice when you can’t physically speak. Would you want to be kept alive on a ventilator? Would you want a feeding tube? These are tough questions, but they’re so much tougher for loved ones to answer without any guidance.
Having a Health Care Directive means your family won’t be stuck guessing, which can reduce conflict, stress, and guilt during an already emotional time. It also gives your medical team clear instructions, helping them provide care that respects your wishes.
2. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
While the Health Care Directive outlines what you want, the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care appoints someone to carry those wishes out. This person—your health care proxy—can speak with your doctors, ask questions, and make decisions in real time. It should be someone who knows your values and can stay calm under pressure. You can choose a spouse, a sibling, a friend—it just needs to be someone you trust completely.
What’s great is that this document works alongside your Living Will. It doesn’t replace it. Your proxy uses the Living Will as a guide and fills in the blanks when situations arise that weren’t specifically covered.
3. Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
If you suddenly couldn’t manage your money—whether due to an illness, accident, or cognitive decline—who would step in? A Durable Power of Attorney for Finances gives a trusted person the ability to handle things on your behalf. This includes paying bills, managing bank accounts, overseeing investments, and dealing with insurance companies.
Without this document, your family might have to go to court to get permission to help you, which can be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful. With it, they can act quickly, avoid legal red tape, and keep your financial life running smoothly.
4. Will & Testament
Everyone over the age of 18 should have a will—yes, really. You don’t need to be a millionaire or own a mansion for a will to matter. This document lets you decide who gets what after you pass away, whether it’s money, personal belongings, or your pet turtle. More importantly, if you have kids, this is where you name a guardian to care for them.
Without a will, the state takes over and distributes your assets based on default laws, which might not reflect your actual wishes. Plus, family members may end up arguing over your estate, and nobody wants that.
A will doesn’t skip the probate process, but it helps clarify your intentions and can speed things along.
5. Emergency Contact & Information List
This isn’t a legal form, but it’s just as essential. Imagine your loved ones scrambling to find your doctor’s phone number, your insurance info, or where you keep your will. An emergency list keeps all that in one place.
Include names and numbers for doctors, lawyers, and close family. Add a list of current medications, allergies, insurance policies, account numbers, and where to find important documents. You can even include passwords to critical accounts (or instructions on how to access a password manager). Store it in a clearly marked folder or safe, and let someone know where to find it.
Bottom Line
Life is unpredictable, but your wishes shouldn’t be. Taking the time to prepare these five documents can give you peace of mind and provide your loved ones with guidance when they need it most. It’s not just about legal forms—it’s about protecting your voice, your values, and the people who matter most to you.
Start with one document and work your way through the list. You don’t have to do it all in a day—but the sooner you begin, the more prepared you’ll be. Because the truth is, emergencies aren’t just about what happens. They’re about how ready you are when they do. Here is an easy checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything!
✅ Emergency Preparedness Checklist: 5 Essential Documents Everyone Should Have
✔️ Health Care Directive (Living Will)
☐ Outlines your medical care preferences if you’re unable to speak for yourself
☐ Includes decisions about life support, feeding tubes, and end-of-life care
☐ Signed and stored in an accessible location
✔️ Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
☐ Names a trusted health care proxy to make decisions on your behalf
☐ Proxy understands your medical values and will advocate for your wishes
☐ Document is signed and a copy is given to your proxy and doctor
✔️ Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
☐ Appoints someone to handle financial matters if you’re incapacitated
☐ Covers paying bills, managing accounts, and handling insurance/investments
☐ Signed and notarized (required in some states)
✔️ Will & Testament
☐ States who should receive your property, money, and belongings
☐ Names a guardian for minor children, if applicable
☐ Signed, witnessed (as required by your state), and stored safely
☐ Executor knows where to find the original document
✔️ Emergency Contact & Information List
☐ Includes key contacts: family, doctors, lawyers, financial advisor
☐ Lists medications, allergies, medical conditions
☐ Contains insurance policy numbers and account info
☐ Includes document locations and password access instructions
☐ Stored in a secure, clearly labeled folder or digital vault
