Life is unpredictable. You already know that, which is likely why you’re here at FamilySafeBox. But what happens if something unexpected occurs and you’re unable to make decisions for yourself? Who steps in to manage your care, finances, or important personal matters when you can’t? Most people don’t think about this until they’re in the middle of a crisis—but it’s a question worth asking now. Because guess what? You do get a say in it. You just have to plan for it.
Why Planning Ahead Matters
Imagine you’re in an accident and unable to communicate. Do your loved ones know who should speak for you when it comes to your medical care? Do they know where your important documents are, how to access your finances, or even what you would want to happen?
Without a plan in place, these critical decisions could be left up to state laws—or worse, family disputes.
By taking the time now to think through these questions—and add your answers to the appropriate Boxes on FamilySafeBox—you take the burden off your family and make sure that decisions made on your behalf align with your values.
So, Who Gets to Decide?
In most cases, if you haven’t made any legal arrangements, decisions about your medical care or finances could fall to your next of kin, like a spouse or adult children. But this isn’t always clear-cut. What if your family disagrees about what’s best for you? Or maybe you have a partner or a close friend you’d prefer to make those decisions.
Here are a few tools to ensure the right people are in place when you need them:
1. Healthcare Proxy or Medical Power of Attorney
This is a document that allows you to designate someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. This person should know your medical preferences, including how you feel about life support, resuscitation, and other critical interventions. Make sure this person is included as a Keyholder on your FamilySafeBox account.
2. Durable Power of Attorney
This is similar to a healthcare proxy, but it applies to financial matters. It gives a trusted individual the legal authority to manage your financial affairs if you’re incapacitated. This could include paying bills, managing bank accounts, and overseeing investments. Again, this individual should be one of your Keyholders.
3. Living Will
A living will outlines your preferences for medical treatment in situations where you’re unable to communicate, particularly at the end of life. Do you want to be kept on life support? Are there specific treatments you want to avoid? A living will can provide clear instructions, so your family doesn’t have to guess what you would’ve wanted.
4. Emergency Contact Information
This one’s simple but often overlooked. Having a list of up-to-date emergency contacts and sharing it with the right people can save valuable time when it matters most. Info Cards on your FamilySafeBox Plus+ Account are a perfect place to keep this to make sure it’s easily accessible in case of an emergency.
Make Sure Your Loved Ones Know the Plan
It’s not enough to just fill out these forms and stash them away in a drawer. Your loved ones need to know where to find them and what your preferences are. This is where FamilySafeBox come in.
Adding digital copies of any forms, as well as uploading contacts and specific instructions to the appropriate Box in your FamilySafeBox, and then inviting the appropriate people to act as Keyholders on your account, will be a a game changer for your loved ones in times of crisis.
It’s About Peace of Mind
Taking the time to make these decisions now gives you peace of mind, knowing that if the unexpected happens, your loved ones won’t be left in the dark. They’ll know exactly what you would have wanted and will be able to focus on what matters most: supporting you.