Holiday Travel: Essential Documents and Preparations for Families

The holidays mean travel for many Manitoba families – visiting relatives across the country, escaping to warmer climates, or exploring new places together. But while you’re focused on packing and planning activities, there’s something crucial that often gets overlooked: the documents that could protect your family if something unexpected happens.

Why This Matters

Most trips go smoothly. But medical emergencies, accidents, or urgent situations back home can happen. When they do, having the right documents accessible can prevent legal complications, delays in care, and enormous stress for your loved ones.

Essential Documents for Every Trip

Medical Preparedness: Carry health insurance cards, a list of current medications and dosages, and emergency contacts. If you have powers of attorney for healthcare, leave copies with someone back home and carry copies with you. These documents allow your designated person to make medical decisions if you’re unable to communicate.

Financial Protection: Make sure a trusted person knows where to find your power of attorney for property. This document allows them to handle financial matters, pay bills, or manage urgent situations while you’re away or if you’re incapacitated. Without it, your family may need to go to court – even for temporary situations.

For International Travel: Check passport expiration dates now (many countries require six months validity). Carry travel insurance documents and copies of important papers stored separately from originals. Keep embassy contact information for your destination readily available.

Traveling with Children: If you’re traveling with minor children without both parents present – or with grandchildren, nieces, or nephews – carry a notarized consent letter. Border agents can request this, and having it prevents delays and complications.

The letter should include the child’s full name and birth date, parent/guardian names and contact info, trip details, and notarized signatures.

The Accessibility Factor

Having documents isn’t enough – someone needs to access them when you’re unavailable. Before you leave:

• Leave copies of important documents with a trusted family member or friend
• Ensure your designated powers of attorney know where to find originals
• Create a simple information sheet with emergency contacts and critical details
• Consider secure digital storage that trusted people can access

Don’t Wait Until You’re at the Airport

If you don’t have your important legal documents in place, or if yours were created years ago and need updating, address it now – before you travel. These aren’t just “end of life” documents; they’re practical tools that protect you and your family during any temporary incapacity.

At TLR Law, we can help you prepare the documents you need for peace of mind while traveling. Call us at (204) 925-1900 to schedule a consultation. We often accommodate urgent requests for travelers who need documents prepared quickly.

Safe travels, and enjoy making wonderful holiday memories with your loved ones.