Traveling away for an extended period is an exciting adventure, yet one that is not made without its share of complications—especially when it comes to ensuring that all of your affairs are legally in order before you leave. Suppose you’re traveling away from your home country for an extended period of time. In that case, there are important legal matters to attend to before you go, especially if you have a family. From arranging a will to ensuring you have the right insurance, there are steps you need to take to ensure that your family will be provided for while you’re away.

Will Your Family Be Provided For?

First things first: If you don’t already have a will, now is the time to arrange one. A will is an important document that declares what you would like to happen to your estate and your possessions if the worst were to happen while you’re overseas. In the event of your sudden death, a will can spare your family the need to perform legal gymnastics to untangle your affairs.

This is not something that should be put off. Especially if you’re traveling, where anything can happen, a will gives you peace of mind knowing your family will be provided for in the way you want. It is a document that allows you to leave specific instructions about your property, the care of your children, and anything else that is important to you.

Power of Attorney: Don’t Leave Things to Chance

Power of Attorney is another legal document you should look into before you go. This allows someone you trust to make decisions for you in case you’re incapacitated. This is especially important for managing money, medical treatment, or legal matters while you’re unavailable. You don’t want to leave your family in a bind trying to do something while you’re gone, so it’s worth it to give a trusted friend or relative the ability to act on your behalf if needed.

Health Insurance: Not Just for a Quick Getaway

Don’t assume your normal health insurance will cover you while you’re overseas for a long stay. Some health insurance is only valid in your home country, while others will have limits on how long you can be outside the country. It’s worth looking into travel health insurance that will cover you for any health care abroad. Whether you’re headed to a country with high-priced healthcare or you just want peace of mind, this is one thing you don’t want to overlook.

Even though it may look like an extra cost at the start, it’s a small price to pay to know that if something does happen, you’ll be in a situation to get the medical attention you need without needing to worry about the cost. Ensure you read the fine print carefully and check for any exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions or particular activities you’ll be participating in.

Life Insurance: Adding More Coverage

On top of health insurance, life insurance is also something you should consider before you leave. Depending on where you’re going, the risks might be higher than at home, or you might simply wish for that added layer of protection for your family. Should anything happen to you while you’re abroad, life insurance can help ensure that your family is provided for financially, from funeral costs to debts that haven’t been paid and other expenses that might otherwise pile up.

When you select life insurance, determine whether your coverage applies when traveling overseas.

Estate Planning

Estate planning is more than just writing a will. It’s ensuring that everything is set up to make it as straightforward as possible for your family if you’re no longer around. This can involve setting up trusts, making provisions for the management of your assets, and nominating beneficiaries for things like life insurance, superannuation, or other investments.

Getting legal expertise on your estate planning is a smart move. Estate-planning attorneys can guide you through the process and make sure you’ve crossed all your t’s and dotted all your i’s. If you have a lot of assets or complicated family dynamics, it’s definitely worth seeking out professional advice.

Keep Your Documents in Order

It is important to get your legal affairs in order, but just as important is being able to find them when you need to. You do not want your will and insurance policies languishing in a drawer somewhere only to have your family scrambling to find them in a crisis. Have copies of your important documents somewhere easily accessible—this can be an electronic copy in a secure location or a trusted friend or family member who can act for you if necessary.

Consider Your Tax Obligations

If you’re going abroad, your tax situation can be different. Depending on where you’re from, where you’re going, and whether you’re earning any income, you may need to alter your tax status or file some additional returns. Ensure you understand the tax regulations in both the home and destination countries.

You might also like to look into how long you can stay in a foreign nation before you are considered a tax resident. This could affect how much you’ll be taxed, as well as whether you’re required to file tax returns while abroad. A tax consultant can provide you with a clear idea of what you should do before your departure.

Child Custody and Guardianship

If you have children, you need to think about what will happen in the event that something happens to you while you’re abroad. This can mean setting up a legal guardianship arrangement or even changing your will so that your children are provided for in the event that you pass away or are incapacitated.

In some instances, if you are a single parent who is traveling, it’s best to speak with a family attorney about custody agreements, especially if you’re going to be crossing international borders. You’ll want to ensure there are no legal problems that would prevent your child from being able to return home or hinder their care.