Estate planning is wise for anyone who is planning to travel.

The amount of time Americans travel varies widely.

Some individuals frequently fly for various business trips throughout the year.

Others visit families over the holidays.

Some save up for an occasional vacation.

Whatever the reason for travel, those flying or driving to a destination should prioritize certain healthcare and estate planning documents before the trip.

According to a recent Fast Company article titled “Healthcare docs are the unsung hero of travel season: An estate planning expert and seasoned traveler weighs in,” incapacity planning documents are key to getting support to travelers if something goes wrong.

Getting urgent medical care during travel can be more challenging without certain estate planning documents.

Essential Estate Planning Documents for Travel

Although death during travel is possible, incapacity through illness or injury is far more likely.

In addition to having the standard estate planning documents like a last will and testament, trusts, or instructions for funeral arrangements, people should also have incapacity documents in place when flying or driving long distances.

What incapacity instruments should all travelers have in their arsenal?

Healthcare documents like Living Wills or Advance Healthcare Directives, Medical Powers of Attorney, and HIPAA Authorizations are key to outlining your wishes regarding treatment and representatives to make decisions on your behalf.

Some states also have specific documents they recommend or require, like Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders or Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST).

Together, these documents provide a legally valid instruction manual to be used by loved ones to provide care and support should tragedy strike on your trip.

Injuries and illnesses can happen at any time, but can be especially scary when away from home.

By having these incapacity documents in place before you travel, your loved ones will be able to act confidently and quickly on your behalf.

Getting Documents in Order Before Traveling

The steps to preparing an estate plan are pretty straightforward.

The first step is to schedule a consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney.

The attorney will guide you through naming healthcare agents to act on your behalf in case of an emergency.

After you have made your decisions, the attorney will create the legal documents for your plans and take the necessary action to get them legally executed.

Once the estate planning documents are in your possession, you will need to keep them in a secure yet accessible location so they can be retrieved by your representative and shared with those involved in your medical care.

Communicate the location of the documents to your family and travel companions before departure for a trip.

What are Key Takeaways Regarding Travel and Estate Planning?

Estate planning documents may not be required for travel, like a passport or driver’s license, but they are necessary for emergencies.

Every adult should have a living will, a medical power of attorney, and a HIPAA authorization.

Working with an experienced estate planning attorney ensures your affairs are in order.

After creating the documents, you should communicate with loved ones on how to access them in times of need.

While nobody anticipates emergencies arising during travel, it is essential to be prepared just in case.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice on any specific issue or problem. Nothing herein creates an attorney-client relationship between Harvest Law KC and the reader.

Reference: Fast Company (Aug. 19, 2025) “Healthcare docs are the unsung hero of travel season: An estate planning expert and seasoned traveler weighs in”