What information does my family need in a medical emergency?

We spend our lives building things—homes, savings, businesses, and families. But have you ever stopped to think about what happens if the “person with the plan” (that’s you) is suddenly sidelined?

Whether it’s a medical emergency or something more permanent, the people you love will suddenly be thrust into a world of complex decisions. Without a roadmap, they won’t just be grieving; they’ll be guessing.

Here is how to make sure they have exactly what they need when the “what ifs” become “what nows.”

1. The Professional “Who’s Who”

In an emergency, your family needs to know who to call—and fast. You likely have a team of professionals who help manage your life, but does your spouse or your adult children know their names?

We recommend completing a simple Emergency Contact Form that lists the professionals in your life:

• Your Insurance Agent: (Hopefully, that’s us!) To handle immediate claims or coverage questions.
• Your Financial Planner: To manage liquidity and account access.
• Your Attorney: For wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents.
• Your CPA: For tax records and business filings.

Having these names and numbers in one place allows your family to activate your professional “support crew” immediately.

2. Organizing Your Digital Legacy

This is the part of modern life that most people forget. We live in a world of two-factor authentication, encrypted apps, and complex passwords. If something happens to you and your family can’t get into your phone or your computer, they are locked out of your life.

The solution isn’t to put your passwords in your Will (which becomes a public document). Instead, you need a Digital “Cheat Sheet” kept in a fireproof safe at home:

• The Master Password: If you use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass, they need the master key to get in.
• Phone/Laptop Passcodes: Without these, even the best “digital heirs” are stuck.
• The “Legacy Contact”: Most smartphones and social media platforms now allow you to designate a “Legacy Contact.” Take five minutes today to set that up in your settings.

We are big fans of the “Old School” approach here. Create a physical binder or a single document that outlines:

1. Where the important papers are: (The deed to the house, the life insurance policy, the car titles).
2. A list of automatic bills: Which utilities are on autopay? Which ones need a manual check?
3. Basic “Life Instructions”: Who has the key to the shed? Where is the shut-off valve for the water?

Keep this document in a fireproof safe and make sure at least two people know where the key (or the combination) is located.

Why Do This Now?

It feels a bit morbid to sit down and write a “manual” for your own absence. But we’ve seen the alternative, and it’s heartbreaking. Families who are already under immense stress shouldn’t have to play detective with your bank accounts or try to hack into your iPad.

Think of this as the final piece of your insurance portfolio. You’ve insured your home, your cars, and your life—now, insure your family’s peace of mind.

Need a template to get started? We have a simple Emergency Contact Form we can send you. Give us a call and we’ll get it over to you today.