Before You Travel This Summer: The Estate Planning Documents Every Iowa Family Should Have

Summer is for road trips, flights to see family, and long-awaited vacations — not for worrying about worst-case scenarios. But before you pack the car, it's worth asking a quiet question: if something happened to you while you were away, would your family know what to do?
 
A little planning now means you can leave town with real peace of mind. Here are the documents to have in place before you go.
 
A Financial Power of Attorney
 
A financial power of attorney lets someone you trust handle money matters if you can't. Think paying the mortgage, managing a bank account, or dealing with insurance while you're recovering somewhere unexpected.
 
Without one, your family may have to go to court just to access funds in your name — even to cover your own bills. That's a slow, stressful process, and it's completely avoidable. Naming an agent ahead of time keeps your household running no matter what.
 
A Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will
 
If you were in an accident far from home and couldn't speak for yourself, who would make your medical decisions? A healthcare power of attorney answers that question by naming the person you trust to direct your care.
 
Pair it with a living will (sometimes called an advance directive), which spells out your wishes about life-sustaining treatment. Together, these documents spare your loved ones from guessing during a frightening moment — and from disagreeing about what you "would have wanted."
 
Guardianship for Your Children
 
If you're traveling with your kids, you'll have a caregiver lined up if you're delayed or hospitalized. But have you named a permanent guardian in case the unthinkable happens to both parents?
 
Naming a guardian in your will is one of the most important things parents can do. Under Iowa law, if you haven't named one, a court decides who raises your children — and it may not be the person you'd have chosen. A short conversation and a signed document put that decision back in your hands.
 
A Will That Actually Reflects Your Life Today
 
Maybe you have a will already. The real question is whether it still matches your life. Have you married, divorced, had a child, bought property, or lost a loved one since you signed it?
 
If you die without a valid will in Iowa, state intestacy law decides who inherits — following a fixed order set out by statute, not your personal wishes. Even an outdated will can send your assets somewhere you'd never intend. Travel season is a natural reminder to give yours a quick read.
 
Make Sure Someone Can Find Everything
 
The best documents in the world won't help if no one knows they exist. Before you leave, tell a trusted family member where your originals are kept and how to reach your attorney.
 
A simple list — accounts, insurance policies, online logins, and key contacts — can save your family hours of stress. Keep it somewhere secure, and let one or two people know how to access it.
 
What This Means for You: A Quick Pre-Trip Checklist
 
Before your next trip, confirm you have:
 
- A financial power of attorney naming someone you trust
- A healthcare power of attorney and living will
- A named guardian for any minor children
- A current will that reflects your family today
- A trusted person who knows where your documents are
 
If you can check every box, travel easy. If a few gave you pause, that's worth a short conversation.
 
Let's Get Your Plan in Place
 
You don't need a complicated estate to need a plan — you just need a family you want to protect. At Smith Law Firm in Ames, we help central Iowa families put these documents in place clearly and affordably, usually faster than you'd expect.
 
If you'd like to create your plan or review the one you have before summer gets away from you, reach out to schedule a consultation. A little time now is a gift to the people you love.  Visit www.shawnsmithlaw.com or call our office to schedule a confidential consultation or give us a call here.
 
*This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, please consult a licensed Iowa attorney.