What would you grab if you only had 5 minutes before a disaster hit?

Hurricane season in Florida is a reminder that life can change fast.

Storms, floods, and power outages disrupt daily life and put families at risk.

You can’t control the weather. You can control how prepared you are, both practically and legally.

Preparedness isn’t just about bottled water and batteries.

It’s also making sure your family has the legal and financial protection they need if disaster strikes.

Every household should have a “go-bag.” Pack for three days:

• Clothes, toiletries, essential medications
• Food and water
• Flashlight and batteries
• Cash in small bills
• Copies of IDs, insurance policies, and medical directives.

Smart add-ons:

• Take photos or a quick video walk-through of your home and belongings for insurance claims
• Keep digital backups of key documents on a password-protected flash drive or in secure cloud storage
• Store your bag by the main exit for a quick grab
• Build reserves of non-perishable food and clean water for one to three weeks
• Consider a generator or solar-powered gear to ride out longer outages

Questions to ask yourself:

• If we had 5 minutes to leave, what would we grab?
• Who knows where our documents are?
  

Cash matters during emergencies. Keep some money at home in small denominations. Maintain living expenses in a local bank account under FDIC limits.

Review your insurance before storm season:

• Confirm your homeowner’s policy covers full replacement cost
• Check loss-of-use coverage if you can’t stay in your home
• Consider flood insurance and hurricane or windstorm coverage common in Florida
• Review deductibles and exclusions so there are no surprises

Don’t overlook your estate plan. Life & Legacy Planning® doesn’t just direct assets after you pass. It also protects you if you become incapacitated. Without it, your loved ones may end up in court facing delays and conflict at the worst time.

Once your financial foundation is solid, focus on your people.

Preparedness is about people too. Build relationships with trusted advisors, neighbors, and family who can step in during a crisis. Repair strained ties where you can, and support those who support you.

Digitize your family photos, home videos, and histories so they aren’t lost in a disaster. Store copies online where you can access them anytime.

At our firm, we help Florida families prepare for more than storms. Life & Legacy Planning® ensures your assets are protected, your children are cared for by the people you choose, and your wishes are honored, even if the unexpected happens. We review your plan with you regularly so it stays current as your life changes.

When you combine practical disaster preparation with a solid estate plan, you give your family security and peace of mind that can weather any storm. Protect your family before the next storm hits.

📆 Schedule a 15-minute call with April, our Client Services Director, to get started.