Legal Documents to Have Accessible ICE
With hurricane season starting next week, it seems like a good time to discuss legal documents that we all may want to have accessible in case of emergency (ICE).
First and foremost, no legal document is worth jeopardizing you or your loved ones’ safety. Your safety and the safety of your loved ones should always come first. Copies of legal documents —certified or otherwise—can usually and somewhat easily be obtained for a small fee and a visit to a local office. The list below is intended to help you prioritize documents to gather in anticipation of hurricane season.
The most important documents for you to have readily accessible are documents that will help keep you and your loved ones safe and allow you re-entry back into your home. These documents will be important if you need to go to a shelter or obtain medical treatment. These documents will also help you in the event that you need to request certified copies of other documents that you did not have a chance to grab. The documents that should be on the top of your priority list are:
Drivers licenses or government-issued IDs (note: if your home address is not listed on your IDs, you should also have a utility bill or some other document reflecting your address. Proof of residency is often required for reentry into areas);
Passports; and/or
Birth certificates;
Lists that allow first responders and medical personnel to give you or your loved ones appropriate care quickly such as those detailing: medical conditions, emergency contacts, prescriptions, etc.
For pet lovers like me, shelter requirements vary by shelter and county, but many require:
vaccination records;
microchip information; and
license tags since shelters often require them.
The next class of documents prioritize copies of insurance documents. Homeowners insurance comes to mind when dealing with emergencies you will want to notify your insurance company as soon as reasonably possible for any loss so you will want copies of:
Homeowner’s insurance documents reflecting your policy information such as a declarations page;
Car insurance documents reflecting your policy information such as a declarations page; and
Documentation showing no damage to your property before the emergency.
The last class of documents to prioritize are documents that require certified copies to prove authenticity. Having the original copies of these documents will save you some time, headache, and money. These documents include:
Social Security cards;
Marriage certificates;
Estate planning documents such as a Last Will and Testament;
Lease agreements;
Deeds;
Mortgages;
Bank account information;
Tax returns; and
Disability paperwork.
It is a great idea to keep all of these documents together in one place at the beginning of hurricane season. A waterproof, fire-resistant document bag or folder is ideal. For items that don’t require physical originals—or for extra backup—you might also consider scanning documents and storing them on a USB drive or encrypted cloud storage. Taking a few moments now to prepare can bring peace of mind later.
Emergencies are stressful enough—having your legal documents in order can make the stress a little more manageable and save you some time in the long run. If you are not able to access these documents before an emergency, do not worry. While these documents are ideal to have on hand, obtaining copies may just require a little legwork and a visit to a local office.
At Brett Legal, we are committed to providing resources to help our clients and our community stay informed and protected. If you have questions about safeguarding your legal documents or creating a comprehensive estate plan, do not hesitate to contact us.
Wishing you all an uneventful hurricane season,
-Silvia A. Brett, Esq.
Silvia Brett is an attorney and Florida Supreme Court Circuit Civil Certified Mediator located in St. Petersburg, FL, who handles Estate Planning and Probate throughout the state of Florida. Click here for more information.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. The content may not reflect the most current legal developments, and it is not guaranteed to be complete or up-to-date. The information on this blog should not be taken as legal advice for any specific case or situation. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any content included in this blog without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. The author expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this blog. If you have any questions about your legal rights or obligations, you should consult an attorney.
