We never want to think about these things until they’re too late…but stuff happens. We’re all mortal, and one day we’ll be gone. What about those left behind?
Will your spouse know where and how to find the information they need to continue running the household?
Will your kids be taken care of and will their caregiver know what they need the most? And where to find it? All this and more can be found in a family emergency binder that is lovingly prepared ahead of time.
When the Unexpected Happens
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This past summer, there were two young men who died in my hometown. Both were extremely healthy, but had separate tragedies occur. They left young wives and young children. I can imagine in addition to the grief, life has been hard in other ways. Just the day-to-day management of life can be overwhelming, especially during times following a sudden, unexpected death.
I recently had a discussion with a friend who lost her husband of forty plus years. He had cancer, so they had some time together before his passing, but she was still clueless once he was gone. She had no idea how to write a check or pay the bills or even when or to whom the bills were due. She barely even knew anything about their bank accounts! She had to learn everything about their household that he had handled by himself for decades, and she had to figure it out by trial and error.
Can we actually be somewhat prepared for an unexpected family emergency?
What if there was a way to be as prepared as possible for something unexpected like this? What if you had a clear map on how to handle things if the forbidden happens? Or what if you left that map for your loved ones? Would it make things that much easier for your spouse or kids or even parents?
What if you and your spouse passed around the same time and a loved one was left to take care of your children? Or…perhaps you need your parents to leave you clarity and peace of mind when they pass. So you don’t have to play detective when they’re gone — like I did when I became parentless at age 32.
Will you make the commitment to your family to be as prepared as possible for the unexpected?
There are so many scenarios of things that could — and unfortunately, will — happen at some point.
The best thing you can do is start here with the ICE Binder! 
If only I would have had a resource to know where to go and what to do when my dad passed suddenly 9 years after my mom. My oldest brother and I had talked to my dad about some of the financials and estate planning two years before his passing, but things he kept saying would be taken care of were not.
My dad was chronically disorganized…hmmm, maybe where I got it from!…so it was like playing detective trying to figure things out. It was a very time-consuming, frustrating process..in addition to the overwhelming emotions and grief.
If only I would have had this ICE Binder then!!
Who needs the information in a family emergency binder?
I know my husband needs this information, since I handle the majority of the details of our finances. Even things like passwords to accounts and where our accounts are actually located! He would definitely need a guide!
Maybe, in your household, your husband is the one who manages the majority of the financials, so you would be the one who benefits most from a family emergency guide.
Either way, it would be wonderful for you and your spouse to sit down and go through this together, page by page, making sure things are in place and the correct information is left for your loved ones.
What should you include in a family emergency binder?
Here are the things I would be sure to include in our family emergency binder:
· Names and phone numbers of friends, family, medical professionals, and household service providers
· Official documents like birth certificates, our marriage certificate, and social security cards
· Health and medical information for each family member
· Information for each child regarding school, food preferences, favorite items, etc, that a caregiver may need in case the primary caregiver is unavailable
· Insurance information — Health, life, disability, home, auto, umbrella policies
· Financial information — bank accounts, bills due, usernames and passwords to online accounts, where accounts are located, investments
· Additional Information — Employer info, military info, social media info
· A basic outline of how to manage the household each month (including financial transactions)
· What to do with life insurance money (how to manage the distribution)
· Any specific requests for funeral services, burial, etc.
· Personal documents you wouldn’t want your family to miss or be without — letters left to them, etc.
That list already seems seriously overwhelming to me, but I know it’s super important.
Here’s a way to make it even easier for you to get started in preparing your very own family emergency binder!
You don’t have to start from scratch and keep guessing at what info to add next!
Save time and effort AND make sure you don’t forget anything!
Grab the printable ICE (In Case of Emergency) Binder from Smart Money Mamas instead.
This binder is amazingly affordable and such a valuable product!
Know that you, your family, and loved ones will be left with exactly what they need in case of an unexpected event or family emergency.
As always, steward your money — and life — intentionally.
Heather
