8/9/2019 Hurricane Season is Here: Protect Your Estate Planning Documents

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Well, the experts arepredicting an activehurricane season for2 0 1 0 . T h e N a t i o n a lWeather Service anti-cipates 14 to 23 namedstorms, 8 to 14 hurri-canes, and 3 to 7 majorhurricanes. Hurricaneseason started on June1 and is officially overon Nov. 30. However, I

dont think we can de-pend on Planet Earthto observe that official ending date.

I know, I know; Weve all becomeskeptics at this point. But you knowmy mantra: Prepare for the worst,hope for the best. When it comes tohoping for the best, you dont needmy help. But you just might need a

little advice on the preparation part.1) If your original, signeddocuments are not in a safe-ty deposit box but at home,make sure you put themin a watertight container ofsome type. Then put thatcontainer high up, off thefloor, in the event flooding occurs.2) You may have to evacuate. If you

do, you will need to decide if you aretaking the originals with you, orleaving them behind. If you leavethem behind, make copies and takethem with you.3) Let trusted loved ones know thelocation of your original documents.You may also want to provide copiesto them. Someone who lives out of

the path of hurricanes would be agood choice!4) Protect pertinent documents likehomeowners insurance policies, windand flood policies, and health insur-ance policies. If you have to evacu-a te , ta ke copie s of a l l of the sedocuments. Make sure you havethe name of your insurance carriers,

policy numbers and allthe contact information.5) Is your home titledin the na m e of y ourrevocable trust? If yourhome is damaged andyou need to file a claimw ith y our insura ncecompany, youll mostlikely need to show yourinsurance company theoriginal, signed docu-

ment.6) Other items to store

in a safe place (or take copies withyou if you must evacuate): Yourdurable power of attorney, medicalpower of attorney, prescriptions, anda list of your bank and brokerageaccounts and other assets.7) You may also want to take pictures

of the valuables in your home. Today

nearly everyone has a digital cam-era or a cell phone with a camera,

so this is a lot less of a chore than itused to be.

Now that youre prepared, you cando the easy part; Hope for the best!

Joseph S. Karp is a nationally certi-fied and Florida Bar-certified elder lawattorney (C.E.L.A.) specializing in thepractice of Trusts, Estates and Elder Law.

His offices are located at 2500Quantum Lakes Drive, Boynton Beach

(561) 752-4550; 2875 PGA Blvd., PalmBeach Gardens (561) 625-1100 ; and1100 SW St. Lucie W. Blvd., PortSt. Lucie (772) 343-8411.

Toll-free from anywhere: 800-893-9911. E-mail: KLF@Karplaw.com orwebsite www.karplaw.com .

Read The Florida Elder Law andEstate Planning Blog atwww.karplaw.blogspot.com.

Joseph S. Karp,C.E.L.A.

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Listen to Joe Karp and Anita Finley on

Saturday, Aug. 14 from 7:30-8:00 AM

on WSBR 740AM and on the

Internet at www.wsbrradio.com.

Here It Comes: Hurricane Season