The holiday season has a way of sneaking up on us. One moment you are finishing the leftover Halloween candy, and the next you are booking flights, mapping out road trips, thawing turkeys, and debating over real or fake trees.
But as joyful (and chaotic) as December travel can be, it is also one of the highest-risk times of year for unexpected emergencies. Snowstorms, icy roads, crowded airports, and packed schedules create more opportunities for things to go sideways. And while we cannot bubble-wrap life or the people we love, we can take meaningful steps to protect them.
This is where incapacity planning quietly does its most important work and where Axis Estate Planning helps families prepare with confidence and clarity.
If something happened while you were several states away, the last thing you would want is for your family to be unable to help because essential legal documents were missing or out of date. A few core tools make all the difference.
Financial Power of Attorney
If you were stuck in a hospital across the country or delayed overseas with no way to communicate, someone must have the legal authority to:
- Pay your bills
- Handle banking responsibilities
- Manage insurance matters
- Oversee year-end financial tasks
Without a properly drafted Financial Power of Attorney, your loved ones may be forced to petition a judge for permission through guardianship or conservatorship, a process that is slow even during normal times and painfully delayed during the holidays.
Axis Estate Planning ensures that your documents are valid, current, and tailored to your unique needs so your chosen agent can act without delay.
Healthcare Power of Attorney and HIPAA Authorization
If you become unconscious or unable to speak, doctors cannot legally share your medical information or take direction from your family without proper authorization. Hospitals do not make exceptions because it is Christmas week or New Year’s Eve.
When these documents are prepared through Axis Estate Planning, you ensure that your healthcare agent can:
- Communicate with doctors
- Access critical medical information
- Make timely medical decisions
- Advocate for your wishes
These documents are essential for anyone traveling during the holidays, especially older adults or individuals with health concerns.
Guardianship Nominations for Parents of Young Children
Every parent quietly thinks about the “what if.” What would happen to your children if you could not make it home?
Guardianship nominations allow you not a judge to determine who will care for your children. Without this documentation, a court may have to choose a guardian without knowing your wishes or values.
Axis Estate Planning helps parents create strong, legally sound guardianship plans that reflect their goals and protect their children.
Access to Your Documents
Even the best legal documents offer no protection if no one knows where they are.
Axis Estate Planning encourages clients to:
- Store documents digitally in a secure, accessible location
- Make sure agents know how to retrieve them
- Carry a small emergency card listing key contacts
This simple step is one of the most commonly overlooked and one of the most important.
The Travel Factor: Real Risk, Not Alarmism
A few key statistics demonstrate why planning is so important during the holiday season:
- November through January consistently sees some of the highest accident-related ER visits due to weather, travel fatigue, and increased driving
- More than half of Americans travel long distances during the holidays
- Airports reach peak congestion, causing delays, stress, and additional risks for older or medically vulnerable travelers
These realities are not meant to scare only to highlight why planning gaps become more visible this time of year. Axis Estate Planning encourages proactive preparation before you pack your suitcase.
Before You Head Out the Door, Ask Yourself:
- Do I have updated financial and medical powers of attorney?
- Does someone know where these documents are stored and how to access them quickly?
- Have I reviewed guardianship nominations for my children?
- If something happened while traveling, would my family be legally empowered to help?
If your answer to any of these questions is “no” or “I’m not sure,” now is the time to address your planning needs.
Estate planning during the holidays may not feel festive, but it is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give your family: clarity, protection, and peace of mind. After all, the season is about the people we love most and planning simply makes it easier to take care of them, whatever the weather may bring.
Visit Us: 900 Wilshire Drive, Suite 105, Troy, MI 48084
Call Us: (248) 251-1001
Learn More: www.axisattorneys.com
Protect your loved ones, your wishes, and your peace of mind by planning ahead with Axis Estate Planning so you can enjoy the holiday season with confidence.