What You Should Have in Your Car Emergency Kit

Thanks for visiting my article on auto emergency and roadside assistance kits. In essence, your car is going to break down - someday, somehow, someway, it's going to die on you, and not at a convenient place or time! With that in mind, there are certain essentials that you need to have in your car at all times. These items will form the basis of your auto emergency kit. That said, let's take a look at what you'll need.

(Also, please be sure to visit my hubs on Home Emergency Kits and Best Emergency Power Generators. Like emergency kits for your car, these are must-have essentials not in case something goes wrong, but when it does.)

Video:  Basic Vehicle Emergency Kit

Jumper Cables (aka Booster Cables)



In all honesty, I do not know how people can drive around without jumper cables in their car. It is a basic item that either you - or someone you know - will need at some point. Moreover, you look like an absolute putz when you're stalled on the side of the road and someone pulls over to help you, and you don't have jumper cables. Your would-be rescuer won't be able to help you, but as the old saying goes, "Heaven helps those who help themselves." Jumper cables are an absolute must, and - like insurance - it's practically irresponsible to drive around without them.

In addition, if you want to be incredibly self-reliant, it probably wouldn't hurt to have a jump starter in your emergency kit as well. These are usually powered by a rechargeable battery and can hold a charge for months. (In short, with a jump starter, you wouldn't even need the assistance of another car.) In my opinion, these are incredibly useful and well worth the cost of having at your fingertips when the time comes.


Gas Can


This is another indispensible item that you should have in your auto emergency kit. Running out of gas is something that has happened to almost everyone, and it's not a fun experience (although it's usually memorable). Even if you fill up every time your gas gauge reaches the halfway mark, having a gas can is essential. For instance, you may not personally need it, but maybe your teenager runs out of gas the first time you let them stay out driving past curfew. Or maybe your elderly mother's eyes are going bad and she misread the gauge and thought she had a full tank, so now you have to go get her. In brief, you've got to see the big picture, and right now that includes having a gas can in your roadside assistance and emergency kit.

Tire Repair: Sealants, Quick-Fixes and Air Compressors


Like running out of gas, almost everyone gets to experience a flat tire at least once in their driving life. There is almost nothing worse than leaving the office after a hard day's work - wanting nothing more than to get home and relax - only to find your tire rim practically resting on the ground when you reach your car.

Fortunately, there are products on the market that can help with this and have you up and running in minutes. There are lots of quick-fixes for flat tires, like Quick Spair and Fix-A-Flat, that can offer a short term solution until you get the tire patched. Likewise, a portable compressor can fill your tire with air again in a jiffy. Finally, if you have a slow leak, you can use a sealant to fix it. (Sometimes, using a sealant will resolve the issue and keep you from needing the have the tire patched at all.) And as stated, all of these can have you mobile again in no time.


Food and Water

Not all vehicle breakdowns will occur in balmy weather, populated areas or hospitable environments. You may find yourself stranded in a snowstorm 10 miles from the nearest town. Thus, just because we're talking about your vehicle, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't have the basic necessities of life on hand - namely, food and water.

Fortunately, you can find all kinds of emergency rations out there in the marketplace, and most of them have extremely long shelf lives - usually 5-to-7 years. Thus, you shouldn't have any issues finding rations to stock your emergency kit with. (You might want to lean towards food bars. They are usually fairly compact, and come loaded with enough calories to get you through some rough times.)

Even more than food, you'll want to have some emergency water handy. While a healthy person can actually go up to 8 weeks without food, the length of time they can go without water is considerably shorter: 3-5 days!. With that in mind, your auto emergency kit should absolutely have water in it.


Weather Gear: Ponchos, Thermal Blankets, etc.



In addition to the items mentioned above, there are some other products that are just good, practical items to have at hand. All-weather ponchos, for instance. Anyone who has ever had to change a flat or peek under the hood in the middle of a pounding thunderstrom will tell you that some type of all-weather covering would have been great.

Similarly, thermal blankets, hand warmers, and the like are items you might want to have at your disposal. (In fact, the thermal blankets shown are the #1 seller in three Amazon categories - two of them emergency-related.) I had a good friend years ago whose vehicle was always breaking down; I got stranded with him in snowstorms on no less than two occasions, and I would have given a pound of flesh, blood and bone for a thermal blanket each time.


Let There be Light: Flashlights, Light Sticks, etc.


Last but not least, every emergency kit of every type has to have a light source, for reasons that are intuitively understood and don't need an explanation. Flashlights are, of course, a necessity, but light sticks can be good for attracting attention, since some fo them can be seen up to a mile away.

(If you've ever been on a dark road at night with no streetlights, you'll have a full understanding and appreciation of why this one is so important. Most of us are so used to being in areas that are illuminated that we have no true idea of just how dark it can get at night.)


Car Emergency/Roadside Assistance Kits


Up to this point, we have been discussing car emergency kits from the standpoint of putting one together yourself. (Getting a gas can, a flashlight, emergency rations, and so on.) Of course, it may be simpler and easier just to buy one off the shelf. These are kits that come prepackaged with most (if not all) of the essentials mentioned above and more. In addition, there's the sheer convenience that comes from simply buying it all in one lump-sum package as opposed to assembling your car emergency kit piecemeal.

The long and short of it, however, is that there are many ways of putting together a car emergency or roadside assistance kit. But how you put it together isn't particularly important. The most important thing is simply that you have one.

What You Should Have in Your Home Emergency Kit

Thanks for visiting my article on home emergency kits. Whether it's an extended power outage or a natural disaster like an earthquake, you should always be prepared at some level for an emergency. To that end, everyone needs to have a home emergency kit for those occasions when disaster strikes. Whether you choose to put it together yourself or just buy one outright, you need to have it. That said, let's take a look at some of the basic items you should have in it.

(Also, please visit my articless on Car Emergency Kits and Best Emergency Power Generators.)

The First Item in Your Emergency Kit: Water

Unless they're involved in some physical activity that causes them to become dehydrated (like sports), people are often more concerned with addressing hunger rather than thirst. If only they knew: a healthy human being can actually survive for about 8 weeks without food. And without water? 3-5 days!!!

That being the case, water is numero uno in terms of items needed for your emergency kit. It is an absolute must-have, without excetion. If putting together your own kit, feel free to use bottled water, although emergency water packs - being more flexible and more compact - might be a better option.


Emergency Rations (aka Food)

As stated above, food isn't essential for survival in the short term, but it will certainly help to keep you comfortable during whatever crisis has arisen. However, you'll have to remember that the food needs to last, so rationing may have to become part of your overall strategy. You can't simply eat your fill.

If you're looking to stock your kit with items you might already have, you could utilize products with a long shelf life, like beef jerky. Other options include snack bars or protein bars. Or you could opt to buy an emergency meal kit like that pictured, which has a shelf life of seven years.

First Aid



I know, I know: most of us already have some type of first aid kit at home. However, the point of having an emergency kit is that it's for emergencies. In other words, while your regular first aid kit is used on a regular basis for everyday scrapes and boo-boos, the emergency first aid kit is set aside and not used until there's an actual emergency. The last thing you want is to have an emergency situation in which you need first aid supplies, but find that you're all out because the kit you had was doing double-duty as both the everyday first aid kit and the emergency kit. It's far better to have a separate kit that is just for emergencies.

That said, there's the question of what should go in it. Here, you don't have to be particularly extravagant in terms of supplies. You'll want some alcohol pads for disinfecting, band-aids of a few varying sizes, and medication for various pains and ills (e.g., Tylenol). There's probably more you can have, but these are certainly the basics items. And again, if you don't desire to pull this stuff together from current items you have at home, you can always just buy a kit.

Flashlight and Candles



We live in a world that is rarely ever completely devoid of light. At night there are streetlamps, neon signs, well-lit advertisements, etc. Thus, very few of us realize just how dark it really gets at night when there's no artificial light. That being the case, you need to have a light source in your emergency kit.

First and foremost, you should have a flashlight. This will be your most powerful light source, but to keep from running it down you should also have other items in the artificial light category, including candles, light sticks (some of which can be seen a mile away for those occasions when you are stranded), and of course matches.

(FYI: the candle pictured is a 100-hour emergency candle. Not only will it last more than four days - which is quite likely more than any emergency will last - but it is also smokeless and odorless.)

Video: 72-Hour Emergency Supply Kit

Radio and Generator

We've covered most of the basics here, but there is at least one other thing you'll desperately need during any emergency: intel.

In short, you'll need to know what's going on, what the authorities are doing, how much longer you'll be on your own, etc. Thus, you'll need an emergency radio - either battery or solar-powered - since we are planning for an emergency in which there is no electricity.

Speaking of electricity, you may be in a situation where it is dangerous to go without it for an extended time (e.g., after an ice storm knocks out power lines). Thus, it may make sense to have a generator on hand. You can purchase either battery-powered or gas-powered generators. (Of course, with battery-powered/electric generators, you'll have to make sure they're charged before your electricity goes out. In fact, it's probably a good idea simply to keep them charged, in case of emergency...)

Conclusion and Store-Bought Emergency Kits


In retrospect, you should always have an emergency kit prepared in order to deal with any adverse situation that arises. Moreover, there are several items that should always be part of such a kit, and I've tried to touch on the most essential ones here. Needless to say, there are plenty of other items that you could incorporate into your kit: thermal blankets, hand wamers, all-weather ponchos, etc.

With that in mind, many find it easier to simply buy a ready-made kit that already has everything they require inside. Should that appeal to you, just remember that there are many diufferent types of emergency kits on the market, so simply make sure that any kit you buy will adequately fulfill your needs.

Best Emergency Power Generators and Batteries: You Got the Juice?

Don't Have an Emergency Generator? You Need One

Thanks for visiting my article on emergency generators. The subject matter here is very much in line with that discussed in my articles on Home Emergency Kits and Car Emergency Kits.

Typically, in an emergency situation, one of the first things to go is eletrical power. Unfortunately, we as a society have grown dependent on electricity to an extraordinary degree, so having another source of power during an emergency is paramount. Fortunately, power generators are pretty common these days, so it's merely a matter of finding one that suits your needs. Generally speaking, there are two different types of generators: battery-powered and gas-powered.

Emergency Power: Portable, Solar and Hand Cranked

Battery-Powered Emergency Generators

Battery-powered generators or "power packs", as the name suggests, tend to run off of a battery. In most instances, these devices can hold a charge for months, and can be recharged merely by plugging them into a standard electrical outlet. There are various brands and models to choose from, including the following:

Webetop Portable Generator

This  model  comes with both AC and DC outputs, 110 V AC outlet, USB ports and includes a built-in flashlight. It can be charged with a solar panel and runs a vast array of appliances, including TVs, laptops and more.






Schumacher XP2260 Portable Power Source

An ideal solution for power outages, dead batteries, etc. In addition to jump-starting car batteries, it has AC and DC outlets for powering household appliances, cell phones and much more. (It even comes with an air compressor.)





Aeiusny UPS Backup Battery

Like many other power packs, the Aeiusny UPS Backup Battery comes with AC and DC outlets, a flashlight, jumper cables and more. Thus, as expected, it can run varius tools and devices away from traditional power sources like a wall socket. Moreover, it has a rechargeable battery that can be powered up via any standard household electrical outlet or by solar panel.

It does a great job of powering items like likes and computers, as well as recharging mobile devices like cell phones, iPods, what have you. (Needless to say, it also does wonders in term sof jump-starting vehicles.) Moreover, it weighs in roughly at a paltry seven pounds.

Gas-Powered Generators

One thing you'll notice right away with respect to the difference between power packs and gas-powered generators is that the latter are clearly larger and more powerful. Gas-powered generators are what you'll really want in terms of powering big appliances like refrigerators, freezers and more.

WEN 3,000 Watt 4-Cycle Gas-Powered Portable Generator

This generator will provide excellent emergency power for the home or office.  Most customers are impressed with its ability to simultaneously run multiple items (e.g., refrigerator, computer, television, etc.) during power outages. Other benefits are that its easy assembly, and the fact that it is relatively quiet compared to most other gas-powered generators.

DuroStar DS4000S Gas-Powered Portable Generator

This is another powerful generator that seems to have no problem powering large appliances:  Items noted as being powered by this generator (usually in the wake of a natural disaster, like a snowstorm, hurricane or tornado) include air conditioners, refigerators/freezers and more.

Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator

Like many of its peers, this generator is able power a wide variety of appliances - e.g., refrigerator, lights, televisions, computers, sump pumps, etc. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, it seems that whether you wish to go with a power pack or gas-powered generator should really depend on its expected use. While it is clear that power packs can indeed power appliances and the like, they are probably better utilized for smaller jobs or short-term tasks like jump-starting vehicles or charging mobile devices. (It's probably not a bad idea to keep a power pack as part of your home or car emergency kit.) For long-term, extended use, you will probbaly want the more powerful gas-powered generator, as these have a lot of juice and can keep you living in a somewhat "civiized" state during an outage - with air conditioning (or heat), television, computers, etc. - until power is restored.

Applecare and Other Extended Warranties and Protection Plans: The Forgotten Accessories of the Electronics World

Are Your Possessions Protected?

The average person seems to be surrounded by electronics these days: televisions, DVRs, game consoles, etc. And that's not even mentioning the electronics that we carry about on our persons, such as iPhones, Blackberries, Kindles and so on. That being the case, it only seems to make sense to have extended warranties and protection plans.

For the uninitiated, these are service plans that will pay for the repair of replacement of your possessions should they become damaged. This is the same concept that is applied to automobiles and homes. (In fact, I have posts on Home Warranties and Car and Truck Warranties.) Frankly, it really seems counterintuitive to spend hundreds of dollars for an item - plus hundreds more on accessories like cases, car chargers, etc. - and then not purchase something like a product warranty, which has a tremendous return on investment. With that in mind, we'll now take a look at what are clearly forgotten and overlooked electronics accessories: product warranties and protection plans.

AppleCare for iPads, iPhones, Etc.

Apple is currently the world's most vaulable company, with an entire suite of products that the public just can't get enough of, from iPads to iPhones. Thus, if you own these items and want to protect them, it makes sense to go with an AppleCare Protection Plan.

First of all, Applecare is an Apple product itself, so you will have an excellent idea of what you're getting in terms of quality, service and support. Applecare for Macs generally extends technical support as well as hardware coverage for three years from the date of purchase; iPhones,iPads and iPods have 2 years of coverage from the date of purchase. The plan can be purchased at any time, as long as the initial hardware warranty is still in place. Moreover, Apple allows third-party retailers to sell the AppleCare Protection Plan, so you may be able to purchase it at a cheaper price from sellers like Amazon.com than you can buying it from Apple directly.

SquareTrade Warranties

SquareTrade is another well-respected company in the field of warranties and protection plans. SquareTrade offers a wide variety of warranties for a slew of products, from computers to appliances to iPhones and more. In fact, SquareTrade is now the primary warranty provider for several retailers, including Amazon.com.

Moreover, SquareTrade protection plans typically cover accidents as well as defects. This means that, in additon to the typical hardware, mechanical and electrical failures ordinarily covered, damage resulting from accidents such as drops and spilled liquids also fall within the scope of the warranty. (These types of damages are often referred to as ADH - "accidental damage from handling.") SquareTrade offers 2-, 3- and 4-year warranties.

Assurant Protection Plans

Assurant is another provider of protection plans for a broad range of products. Its plans will cover not just typical electronics, but also appliances like televisions, kitchen appliances and more.

An Assurant warranty can run from one to several years, depending on the product. In addition to the usual coverage for defects, many products can also be covered for accidental damage and handling.

SmartGuard Furniture Protection Plans


Since, we've discussed warranties for all types of electronics and appliances, it seems only natural to go on from there and cover other types of possessions. With that in mind, SmartGuard - which offers 3- and 5-year protection plans - is an excellent way to protect furniture.

First of all, a SmartGuard furniture protection plan will, of course, provide coverage with respect to rips, tears and the like. Burns and breakage are also included, as well as stains from such articles as food and beverages. Finally, there is replacement coverage if a product can't be repaired. In short, SmartGuard offers an excellent way to maintain your furniture in prime condition.


In retrospect, product warranties are excellent ideas and constitute a sound investment - especially when you consider what the cost of repair or a new purchase will be. Moreover, it just seems silly to buy, say, a case for something like an iPhone or Kindle, and neglect to purchase - for the same price or less - a warranty or protection plan that can provide coverage for the entire device. Under those circumstances, an accessory like a case probably only amouunts to half the protection you need, at best, because it's not going to do anything for you if there's a bad internal component, like a defective chip.

How to Save Money with a Car Warranty or Service Contract, and Where to Get One

Thanks for visiting my post on car and truck warranties. Basically, once you become an adult, a car is pretty much a necessity. However, vehicle maintenance can be quite expensive. However, you can cut down on that cost and the overall cost of car ownership with an automobile warranty. (And if you find this helpful or informative, please visit my other posts on Home Warranties and Warranties and Protection Plans for Electronic and Devices.)

What is a Car Warranty?

A warranty is a commitment - usually from the manufacturer - that a given product will work or function properly for a certain period of time. If it doesn't, the manufacturer typically repairs or replaces the item for free.

Source: AllPosters.com

In essence, this is how automobile warranties work as well: the car manufacturer basically promises to fix the car if it has any problems within a certain time period or before being driven a certain number of miles. For instance, a car manufacturer may offer a 36-month/36,000 mile factory warranty. Thus, if the car has any issues within the first 3 years of ownership or before being driven 36,000 miles, the manufacturer will fix the problem at no cost to the owner.

Extended Warranties and Why You Need One

An extended warranty (technically, a "vehicle service contract"), can basically be viewed as a supplement to the manufacturer's warranty. It offers vehicle protection in the form of repair services, and is typically designed to pick up at the point where the manufacturer's warranty comes to an end.

Source: AllPosters.com

For instance, if a manufacturer's warranty ends at 36 months/36,000 miles, an extended warranty will pick up at the point, and may go to something like 72 months/100,000 miles. However, whereas the manufacturer's warranty comes with the vehicle, an extended warranty is an item that has to be purchased separately.

Still, as anyone with a car knows, vehicle maintenance is expensive. Moreover, taking a vehicle to a mechanic to inspect one problem invariably leads to the mechanic finding several other things wrong. Because it can essentially cover all major repairs (even the hidden ones that mechanics always find), an extended warranty usually pays for itself many times over by the time it eventually expires.

Getting Extended Warranties or Service Contracts: Car Dealers

When buying a new car or truck - and often when purchasing a used one - the dealer will usually ask if you are interested in getting an extended warranty. The answer to this question should always be "yes". This is typically the first place to look in terms of getting an extended warranty.

Of course, no one is saying that the dealer is offering you the best warranty deal out there. In fact, you can almost rest assured that you can find something cheaper. The primary benefit of getting the service contract from the dealer is that usually you can finance the cost of the warranty by rolling it into the price of the car. As decent warranty contracts can often run well over $1000, this is definitely something that merits your consideration. However, as already noted, the savings will more than pay for the contract in most instances. Moreover, you can usually take your vehicle to virtually any mechanic you want for repairs.

(On a side note, if you haven't seen Used Cars starring Kurt Russell, you're missing one of the funniest movies ever made.)


Getting Service Contracts and Extended Warranties Online and Elsewhere

If you choose not to buy an extended warranty from the dealer who sold you the car or truck, you still have many options. First of all, the warranty department at a dealership is usually separate and distinct from the vehicle sales department. Thus, you can usually call the warranty department at any dealership - even one where you didn't buy you car - and get a quote on a vehicle service contract.

Likewise, you can search online for a good deal. There are many reputable warranty companies that have an online presence (as almost everyone does these days), so finding one shouldn't be an issue. Then its just a matter of determining the covergae you want and what the price will be. Personally, I usually try to get the most extensive coverage available. For a few hundred dollars more you can usually get several years and thousands of miles more in coverage. To me, that's a good deal.



High Mileage Warranties: Over 100,000 Miles

It may come as a surprise to many, but you can actually get an additional extended warranty to cover your car or truck even though you may have high mileage. The coverage is not likely to be nearly as extensive, but you can usually cover the major systems - typically for another 100,000 miles or so - and thereby continue to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for repairs.

Be wary, however, as this is a range of coverage where service may not be of the same quality as it was when your mileage was lower. Moreover, you'll probably want to start looking and - if possible - get the new policy before coverage under your existing policy expires completely. In other words, if your coverage is for 100,000 miles and you're at 90,000, it's a good time to start looking.

As was the case with earlier warranties, a high-mileage warranty will more than likely save you money in the long run.

All in all, there are numerous was to get a warranty on your car, and it is almost always worth the cost. Thus, it's a good idea to go ahead and make that particular investment in your vehicle.

The Value of a Home Warranty

For those who aren't familiar with them, home warranties are a great way to save on the cost of repairs around the house. As with automobile warranties, they will pay for themselves many times over. (For more info on auto warranties and service contracts, please visit my posts on Car and Truck Warranties and Warranties and Protection Plans for Electronics and Devices.)

What is a Home Warranty?

A man's home is his castle, they say. That being the case, he will want to take care of it, and a home warranty can help. A home warranty essentially operates on the same principle as insurance: you purchase it to cover the repair of certain items that may break or simply cease to work. This could include plumbing, garbage disposal, major appliances, etc.

Source: AllPosters.com

To see how a home warranty might work, assume that you have such a warranty and awake one day to discover that the icemaker on your refrigerator is no longer working. You'd simply have to make a service call to your home warranty company, and they would arrange for a qualified repairman to come fix the problem. You would be required to pay a minimal charge for the service call - usually about $50 - but that is your entire out-of-pocket expense, even if they have to replace the entire refrigerator!

Home Warranties Tend to be Inexpensive

Home repairs can be expensive. Anyone who has had an air conditioner go out in the middle of summer or a refrigerator suddenly go on the fritz can testify that they are expensive items to replace or have repaired. That being the case, it is a bit surprising to discover that home warranties are fairly inexpensive - typically only a few hundred dollars per year. This is pennies in comparison to what the full cost of certain repair jobs would be.

I personally learned my lesson about home warranties several years ago, when we returned home from a weekend, out-of-town trip to discover our kitchen floor covered in water (something went haywire with the refrigerator-freezer) and the air conditioning wasn't working. (Did I mention that this was during summer?) After getting gouged with respect to the repair work, I got a home warranty policy and have had one ever since. More to the point, I have always gotten more out of the warranty than I ever put in. By way of example, we recently had three guys here at the same time working on our refrigerator, microwave and washer and dryer - and our only out-of-pocket expense was a single charge for the service call.

You Can Cover Almost All Major Appliances

As further proof that home warranties are a good deal, for the cost of just a few hundred dollars a year you can usually cover all the major appliances in your home, as well as your plumbing, air conditioning and heating units, garage door and garbage disposal. Afterwards, as mentioned earlier, you simply pay a set amount (about $50) for each service call.

The Work is Guaranteed

My experience with home warranties is that they always send a skilled and certified repairman to address your issues. Moreover, the work is always under warranty as well, just as you might expect if you were paying full price.

Thus, the repair of your dishwasher might come with a 1-year warranty on the parts and 90-day warranty on labor. That being the case, you have very little to worry about, as the repairman will come back and fix the problem for free if he didn't do it right the first time. Not a bad deal in my opinion.

No Worries

Last but not least, there's a lot to be said for the peace of mind that comes from knowing that almost any issue in terms of your home can be addressed without a lot of fuss - and without a lot of paying a lot of cash. A home warranty is somethng everyone should have. If you don't think so, think about the last plumbing or repair bill you received for something in the home. Then think about how it would feel to have paid almost nothing for the same service.

Wills and Estate Planning: Power of Attorney, Will and Testament, and Other Documents You Need

Thanks for visiting my post on wills and estate planning. Almost everyone knows that you should have a will as part of your estate plan. A will helps to ensure that your estate is distributed in accordance with your wishes after you pass on. However, most peope don't give much thought to the other types of documents that they should probably have in place in addition to a will. Here, we will touch on the other basic documents you will likely need as part of your estate plan. Hopefully you will find this information entertaining and useful.

Wills and Trusts

Wills: A will, of course, is an instrument used for the disposition of a person's property after his death. Because I've already discussed the making of a will previously, I won't rehash those details here. You can find all the relevant information in my article on Making a Will.

Trusts: A trust (or trust fund) is a property interest held by one person (the trustee) at the request of someone else (the settlor) for the benefit of some third party, known as the beneficiary. By way of example, a grandfather may decide he wants to leave his 3-year-old grandson some real property and $10,000. As a toddler really isn't capable of managing property (or cash for that matter), the grandfather might ask his son (the grandson's father) to manage the trust until the grandson comes of age. Here, the grandfather is the settlor, the father is the trustee, and the grandson is the beneficiary. (Usually, the settlor will also name an alternate trustee, just in case the original pick is not willing or able to serve in that capacity. However, a trust will not fail for lack of a trustee; in other words, even if you forget to name one, you can be sure that a trustee will be appointed.)

In short, a trust can be a useful in varous ways, such as transferring property out of your estate prior to death. The rules for trusts vary by state, so you may want to consult with a lawyer when establishing one.

Medical Power of Attorney

In general, a power of attorney (POA) is a document that allows someone else to act as your agent or attorney-in-fact. Basically, it permits another person to do all of the things that you yourself would be allowed to do: sign contracts on your behalf, deposit and withdraw money from your accounts, etc. That said, a power of attorney can be limited; for instance, you can give someone a limited power of attorney with respect to buying a car for you. In other words, this authority would allow them to go purchase a car for you - and would limited by whatever price or other restrictions are present in the POA - but wouldn't authorize them to do anything else.

Likewise, a Medical Power of Attorney would allow someone to make medical and health care decisions on your behalf if you were unable to make them yourself. For instance, such a document is useful if a person is suffering from an illness such as dementia or Alzheimer's, or if they have suffered a traumatic injury that inhibits their ability to make their own health care choices (e.g., the person is in a coma). Typically, the agent with respect to a medical POA is either a spouse or an adult child.

A medical POA should, at a minimum, cover the following:

• The POA's duration - how long it will last;
• Revocation - it should revoke any prior POAs, so that there is no conflict or confusion regarding who is the agent;
• The powers of the agent - this portion will establish the limits of the agent's authoriy - specifically, what the agent can and can't do; and
• Alternate agent - the medical POA should designate an alternate to serve as agent if the original selection is unwilling or unable to serve in that capacity.

A medical power of attorney is generally considered to be a good idea, particularly if you are more senior in age.

Declaration of Guardian

Occasionally, a person will become incapacitated and require long-term care. In such instances, they will need a guardian of both their estate and their person. To prepare for the possibility of such an event, it maybe wise to draft a Declaration of Guardian in the Event of Incapacity.

Basically, this ensures that you would be entrusting your long-term care (your person) and finances (your estate) to someone who you are sure will be concerned with your best interests. It is not necessary that the guardian of the person and the estate be the same individual, although that is frequently the case. Moreover, as with wills, trusts, and most other estate-planning documents, it's wise to appoint an alternate guardian in case your original selection is not in a position to serve.

Directive to Physicians

The Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates (sometimes just called a Directive to Physicians or Advanced Directive) is a document whereby an individual makes his wishes regarding medical care known to his physician in advance of being unable to make such decisions in the future. It is very much like a power of attorney (which is, in fact, another type of advanced directive), except you are making the decisions yourself in advance of a debilitating illness or injury rather than allowing an agent to make the decision later.

This type of directive is common when dealing with issues like terminal illness or when a person does not want heroic, life-sustaining efforts exerted on their behalf. Ordinarily, you will not have both a Directive to Physicians and a Medical POA - primarily due to the possibility of conflict. For example, a terminally ill patient may prefer to let nature take it's course and sign an advanced directive with a do-not-resuscitate order before slipping into a coma; however, a relative who has power of attorney may want the doctors to do everything possible to prolong the person's life, even if they aren't conscious. To avoid such conflicts, it is often necessary to make a decision about which form of advanced directive to embrace.

HIPAA Release

Even with a medical power of attorney, your agent may have difficulty making decisions that are in your best interest if the doctor isn't allowed to disclose your medical information. Such information is protected and confidential under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Drafting and signing a HIPAA Release will alleviate this problem. You simply have to name your agent(s) in the document and the doctor will be authorized to disclose the requisite information.


Disposition of Remains

A Disposition of Remains document basically allows you to appoint an agent to handle - as the document title suggests - the disposition of your remains. Typically, this includes funeral arrangements, including burial or cremation. As with other such documents, you should appoint both a primary and an alternate agent in this regard. (Hopefully, those you appoint are individuals who are privy to and will respect your wishes in this matter.)

In conclusion, you can see that while it is certainly beneficial to have a will in place, that is really just the start of any true estate plan. There are several other documents which it would also behoove you to have drafted on your behalf in order to ensure that your wishes are respected in all regards.