The year 2018 was rife with natural disasters. From multiple earthquakes, back-to-back hurricanes, and raging wildfires, the U.S. suffered serious natural disasters. These acts of nature devastate life and your family. With the polar vortex already impacting the Midwest and east coast, 2019 will likely prove equally challenging.
Create a disaster preparedness plan for your family. But don’t stop there. We recommend you protect your legal documents during for disasters. Follow these tips to keep important paperwork safe. This info will come in handy if your home is damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster.
- Back everything up.
Electronic backups, such as a secure cloud storage, provide added security. Electronic versions provide a legally valid substitute for important documents. - Use a safe box.
Keep a fire/water resistant box in your home. Or pay for a safety deposit box at a local bank. These easy yet useful precautions help following disasters. These boxes protect important items during a natural disaster. This means you’ll less to worry about during difficult times. - Create a “Go Bag.”
Disaster warnings give you time to assemble a “Go Bag.” This should include family documents, financial paperwork, legal papers, vaccination records, immigration and residency documents, among others. Also, keep the info safe and close to you. In addition, keep at least one extra copy in an easily accessible, off-site location. Seal everything in a plastic bag.
After disaster strikes, focus on your family’s safety. Then, after the immediate aftermath, replace damaged or destroyed paperwork ASAP. While there may be other more pressing tasks post-natural disaster, do not neglect replacing documents. Doing so will be help you and your family.
About Skvarna Law
A skilled attorney can assist with your estate plan. Contact us today to learn about your options (909) 608-7671. We operate offices in Glendora and Upland, California. We provide legal services for individuals living in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties. This includes the cities of Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Colton, Rialto, Chino, Chino Hills, Glendora, Claremont, Montclair, Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas, Azusa, Covina, West Covina, Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Corona, Norco & Mira Loma. Visit SkvarnaLaw.com to learn more.