Surprising Paris: A Romantic Getaway for Our Anniversary!
by Colin Smith | Contributor
Recently, while meeting with a client, he excitedly shared his plans to whisk his wife away to Paris for their wedding anniversary. After expressing my congratulations (and mentally noting to replicate his thoughtful gesture), I inquired about their two children. He mentioned they would be spending the time with friends. As their legal advisor, I raised an important point: with both parents traveling abroad, were the children safeguarded in the event of any travel disruptions? I took the opportunity to review their estate and drafted a few essential documents. My assistance proved invaluable, as they were in Paris during a recent terror incident but fortunately returned home safe and sound.
Traveling internationally brings a host of anxieties about potential delays and security threats, yet domestic trips can pose similar worries. The events of September 11th are etched in our memories. I, too, vividly recall being in Washington D.C. the day before that fateful day. Though I was safe on September 11th, it took until that evening to connect with my wife, and I wasn’t able to return home until the week’s end. Regardless of your destination, ensuring your children’s safety is paramount.
Lawyers usually address the three D’s: Death, Disability, and Divorce. However, there’s another crucial D—disappearance. What happens when parents go away and leave their children in the care of relatives or friends? An effective estate plan should include a provision that designates a guardian for a minor in cases of incompetence, disappearance, or incapacity. While many lawyers typically include such guardianship language in a will—perfectly suited for the event of parental death—it may not be applicable in other scenarios. Moreover, if the children require medical attention while the parents are away, parents can appoint a Health Care Agent to make decisions on their behalf.
A comprehensive estate plan should also address related concerns, like ensuring that one spouse has access to financial resources if the other is unavailable or designating someone else to manage decisions during unforeseen situations. It’s advisable to review your estate plan every few years to ensure all aspects are adequately covered. And for any husbands struggling to choose the ideal anniversary gift, perhaps a few days in Paris together would truly delight her.
For more insights on estate planning, reach out to Colin Smith at Colin.Smith@ColinSmithLaw.com.
