The importance of having a valid will in place before you travel

Matthew Ridyard

25 July 2022

While you're thinking about all the things you need to do before you travel, you should probably add making a will to the list. We're not saying you should go on your trip expecting the worst but you want to be ready in case of an emergency.

Here are 5 reasons why you might want to add estate planning to your list of things to do before you go on your next trip, whether it's a weekend road trip in blighty or a trip around the world. 

1. Be ready for what you don't know. 

If there's one thing we've learned in the past few years, it's to be ready for the unexpected. Any time, the travel sector can change, so it's important to be ready. Most of us think right away of things like travel insurance, calling your bank, and making sure you have money for emergencies. 

But if COVID-19 taught us anything, it's that when you're away from home, anything can happen. Even though it's sad to think about, having a will can make sure your loved ones are taken care of if you die suddenly while travelling. 

Like an insurance policy, you hope you won't need to call upon it but you'll feel better knowing you have a plan in place, just in case. 

2. Make plans for your kids

If you have children who depend on you, your number one goal should always be to keep them safe. 

One of the most important things you can do to preserve the future of your children’s wellbeing is to name a guardian in your will. If you die unexpectedly, your will can tell your family and friends who you want to take care of your children. 

This is especially important if you plan to go somewhere without the people who depend on you. So, if something happens to you while you're gone, you'll know that they have a plan in place. 

If you don't have a will, the courts will choose a guardian for you, and it might not be the person you would have chosen. 

In your will, you can also say how much money you'd like to leave to your children and when you'd like them to be able to get it. 

3. Make sure your personal, financial, and health choices are protected and what you wish. 

Making a will is not the only part of planning your estate. It also includes giving someone power of attorney over your property and your care. LPAs can help protect you if you have a medical emergency while travelling that leaves you unable to take care of yourself. 

With a LPA, you can choose a trusted person to help make decisions about your finances, medical care, property, and personal care if you are unable to do so yourself. This could include anything from telling people what you want done with your health to taking care of your property. 

You can even write down your wishes for the person you've given power of attorney to help them carry out their role. 

4. Give you and those you care about peace of mind 

There's nothing worse than thinking, "I know I should do something, but I'll do it later." Except maybe when you're on holiday and trying to relax and unwind that is the exception. 

Don't let the fact that you don't have a will in place be the dark cloud that follows you wherever you go. Making a will may not be as fun as shopping for new swimming shorts before a holiday but it's a simple task that can give you more peace of mind. 

You'll enjoy your trip so much more if you know that your family and loved ones will be safe in case of an emergency. 

5. It's not as hard as you might think! 

Not only are your will and power of attorney important for travelling, but they are also one of the most important documents you can have to protect yourself and your family. 

Many Brits put off estate planning because they think it will be expensive and take a lot of time. This is not at all true! You can make a will with Simpwill for as little as £80 and in less than 15 minutes.

So, whether you're going on your next big adventure or just on a staycation, you might want to make writing your will a top priority so you can have more peace of mind and relax on your next trip.

Start your will for free today and don’t pay until you are happy and it has been checked by our legal professionals.