Estate Planning Essentials: What Every Client Should Have in Place Before a Summer Trip

As clients take off for their summer getaways, estate planning may not be the first thing on their minds, but advisors know it should be. Travel, especially international trips, can expose gaps in a client’s financial and legal protections. That’s why we asked members of Trust & Will’s Advisor Contributor Panel to share the one estate planning ‘must-have’ they recommend before clients take a summer trip, along with real-world stories that highlight why it matters.

1. Healthcare Directives, HIPAA Releases, and Powers of Attorney

Before clients leave for a trip, advisors agree: a healthcare directive, HIPAA release, and powers of attorney should be in place.

Bob Chitrathorn, CFP®, BFA™, Co-Founder & CFO of Simplified Wealth Management, emphasized the importance of appointing someone who can make medical or financial decisions if the client (or their travel companion) becomes incapacitated. “Before you zip that suitcase, make sure someone you trust can make those decisions if you can’t,” Bob said.

Chitra Patel, CFP®, CPWA®, Founder of WealthWorth, added that a HIPAA release is just as critical, especially when traveling internationally. Without it, healthcare providers may be unable to share updates during emergencies. She shared a real-world example of a traveler injured overseas whose family faced days of silence due to missing documents. “Having the right documents in place before you travel means peace of mind, wherever your summer takes you,” Chitra said.

Al Faber, CFP®, Founder of DIWY Financial Planning, reinforced the point with a personal story. After losing a cousin who passed away abroad, Al saw firsthand how difficult it can be to manage affairs without the proper documents. He encourages clients to have both financial and medical powers of attorney in place before any trip, and suggests keeping copies secure in a waterproof pouch.

2. Accessible Documents: Digital and Physical Copies Matter

Charles Thomas, CFP®, Founder of Intrepid Eagle Finance, emphasized that having estate planning documents isn’t enough. Clients also need to ensure those documents are accessible.

“I'm a big believer in having both hard copies and digital backups,” Charles said. He recommends that clients store digital versions of their key documents, like powers of attorney and healthcare directives, inside secure document vaults (often available through financial planning platforms).

“If something happens while you're traveling, you don't want to be stuck calling your neighbor to break into your house to find your documents and fax them to you,” Charles explained. Having digital access allows trusted individuals to step in quickly when needed.

Charles also mentioned a simple but often overlooked tip: taking photos of important documents, like passports, and storing them securely on a phone or cloud service for easy access during travel.

3. Temporary Care Plans for Children

Matthew Ricks, MBA, CFP®, Owner of Haystack Financial Planning, raised an important point for parents of minor children. If clients are traveling without their kids, they should have temporary care arrangements in place.

“Whether your kids are staying with grandparents or friends, those caregivers need some form of written authorization to make decisions if something happens—like taking your child to the doctor,” Matthew said.

A formal guardianship isn’t necessary for short trips, but a simple signed letter can give caregivers the authority they need in case of emergencies. As Matthew shared from personal experience, “I had to sign a form just so my mom could take my kids to the doctor during a visit. It’s a small thing, but it matters.”

4. Realistic Planning for Real Life

While powers of attorney and healthcare directives are essential, the panel agreed that broader conversations around family and finances should be happening long before clients board a plane.

As Faber noted, many people plan honeymoons and big trips immediately after life events like weddings, but they often don’t stop to consider what could happen if something goes wrong. “That trip should be the reason to get these documents in place,” Al said. “It’s not something to put off.”

Final Thoughts: Estate Planning Should Travel Too

Powers of attorney, healthcare directives, access to documents, and temporary care plans for children aren’t just paperwork. They’re critical protections for clients traveling far from home.

Advisors have a key role to play in prompting these conversations, ensuring that clients are protected no matter where life (or their next vacation) takes them. To learn how digital estate planning solutions like Trust & Will can help your clients prepare for the unexpected, explore our latest resources in the Trust & Will Learn Center.

Help Your Clients Travel with Peace of Mind

From powers of attorney to temporary guardianship letters, estate planning is essential prep before takeoff. If you're a financial advisor looking to guide clients through these conversations with ease, Trust & Will can help.

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