Give your loved ones the tools and resources they need to “take over” in the event of an emergency… and give yourself peace of mind! This free template will help you set up your own family emergency binder today!
I originally set up our family’s Emergency Binder back in 2012, soon after our first child was born.
As crazy as it might sound, this binder was the peace of mind I needed “just in case” something happened to Dave, to me, or to both of us.
I needed to know that another family member could “easily” take over our home, our finances, my business, our child (now children), in an emergency situation — and this binder seemed like the most organized and efficient way to do that.
At the time, my worst nightmare was not being able to care for my new baby, my business, or our home.
Honestly, this fear is still at the top of my ‘nightmare situations’ list — which is why an Emergency Binder is so important to me!
What exactly is a Family Emergency Binder and how can YOU create your own?
I’m so glad you asked!
An Emergency Binder is a single binder (or box or bin or large folder) that contains all your important documents and information.
It could be created digitally but should be printed as a hard copy.
It should be easily accessible and usable… but not right out in the open.
Its location should only be known by a few close family members or friends.
The Binder We Use:
We use the Samsill Duo Binder we use (currently unavailable) — however, other binders would work too.
In my opinion, you’ll want some sort of 3-ring folder as many of your documents will be hole-punched. And you’ll need something big enough to accommodate several papers.
Why I Created Our Emergency Binder:
The main reason was simply my own peace of mind!
More practically speaking, I’m also “in charge of” all the finances for our household. I pay the bills, manage the finances, log into our online accounts, set up new accounts, run my business, and make sure our household and our finances run smoothly every month.
Yes, Dave knows the “big picture” about what’s going on with our finances (and I have almost all financial matters set to auto-pay). However, he would be at a loss if he needed specific log-in information for various accounts (especially my business accounts).
I want to know that these important functions can be completed whether I am around and able to do them or not.
Also, our important information binder contains names, addresses, and contact information for very important people that should be notified if something happens to us. No one in our families would know who to contact or how to contact them without this binder.
And finally, I personally use our binder on a very regular basis! It’s a handy tool to quickly look up an account number, find a password, access contact information, etc.
Knowing that I have all our family’s important information in one place gives me the reassurance that I’ve done everything I can do to make it as easy as possible IF anyone else needs to step into my shoes or “take over my life” for a while.
Why YOU Need an Emergency Binder!
In my opinion, I feel EVERY household should have some type of organized system to store all their important papers for potential emergency situations — even if you don’t have children, even if you’re single, even if you’re young, even if you’re very old and think you have all your “ducks in a row”.
You just never know when a crisis or emergency might happen.
- Death
- Serious injury
- Longterm disability
- Mental instability
- Physical limitations
- Chronic pain or illness
- Displacement (being stuck overseas or stranded without being to travel home again)
The above situations are just a few of the many reasons you might need extra outside help from family and friends. And you know what would make life SOOOOO much simpler, easier, and less stressful for those friends and family members who are trying to take over for you?
An Emergency Binder!
Since I first shared our family’s Emergency Binder back in 2012, I’ve received hundreds of comments and emails from people I’ve never met, explaining that my words were just the encouragement and motivation they needed to FINALLY get their important papers organized and in ONE place!
I’ve read heart-warming stories of how these Emergency Binders have simplified the lives of complete strangers — reducing anxiety, creating more order and structure, and providing peace of mind.
I’ve also gotten emails from readers who shared their nightmare stories… explaining that if it weren’t for the fact that they had followed my instructions to create their own Emergency Binder, they would have been totally lost.
It’s hard to think about these worst-case-scenario situations… but I’d always rather be prepared “just in case”.
Wouldn’t you?
Are you ready to set up your own Family Emergency Binder?
If so, start by reading through the list below to see how WE set up OUR binder.
Then download a copy of my FREE Family Emergency Binder Template (at the end of the post). You’ll get access to the Word document, an editable PDF document, and a Google Doc.
Next, gather all your important documents.
Finally, organize everything, by category (noted on Cover Sheets) in one binder.
See… not too bad. Right!?
You can do it — I promise!
What documents to put in your binder?
Here’s a quick run-down of exactly how we set our binder up… this should give you some inspiration!
NOTE: I usually make photocopies of our important documents for our binder and keep the originals in our fire-proof safe. Sometimes, depending on the document, I keep the originals directly in the binder.
INSIDE COVER:
- Business cards for all our “VIPS” (bank managers, financial investors, accountants, attorneys, website developers for my blog, doctors, dentist, mechanic, school contact information, etc.)
- Information regarding the whereabouts of our fireproof safe and the key
PERSONAL INFO SECTION:
- Cover Sheet (this is the downloadable document I provide)
- Photocopy of our Marriage License
- Photocopies of Dave’s and my Driver’s Licenses, Social Security Cards, Birth Certificates, and Passports
- Dave’s most recent teaching certificate
- Each of our children’s Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, Baptism Certificates, and immunization records
FINANCIAL INFO SECTION:
- Cover Sheet (account numbers, usernames, and passwords for all our bank accounts and investment accounts)
- A signed agreement from our financial investor
- A listing of all my Savings Bond numbers, valuation, and expiration dates (I got SO many growing up)
- Statements showing our student loans were paid in full
INSURANCE INFO SECTION:
- Cover Sheet
- The current “Annual Report” for both Dave’s and my life insurance policies
- The contract for our health and dental insurance
- A booklet of information regarding Dave’s life insurance through his school (in the back accordion section of our binder)
- A booklet of information regarding Dave and my extra life insurance (in the back accordion section of our binder)
- A booklet of information regarding our health insurance (in the back accordion section of our binder)
HOME & AUTO INFO SECTION:
- Cover Sheet (account numbers, usernames, and passwords for all utilities and other accounts pertaining to home and auto)
- Official Warranty Deed showing that all real estate we own is actually owned by our Living Trust, not Dave and I personally
- Information for our home title, purchase agreement, certificate of survey for our property, and the mortgage payoff
- Most recent Property Assessment and Taxable Valuation Report
- Information for our home and auto insurance
- Certificate of Title, Michigan Registration, and License Plate Renewal Notice for each vehicle
RETIREMENT INFO SECTION:
- Cover Sheet
- Information for Dave’s school’s pension plan
- Information for each of our Roth IRAs
- Dave’s most recent Social Security Statement
- Document showing that all our retirement accounts are property of our Living Trust
MY BUSINESS INFO SECTION:
- Cover Sheet
- My most recent LLC filing
- My most recent signed W-9
- My Business filing through the state
- My Employer Identification information through the IRS
- A document from the IRS stating that I file taxes as an S-corporation even though I’m technically an LLC
- A certificate stating that my business is owned by me and that the ownership transfers to our Living Trust if anything happens to me.
Whew, I think that’s everything!
About the Free Workbook:
The printable workbook serves as a simple template to help you compile all your important information and emergency contacts in one easy-to-access location.
- phone number
- email addresses
- usernames + passwords
- account numbers
- contact information for VIPs
- etc. etc.
The at-a-glance “cover sheets” can be printed on one piece of paper each, and put at the beginning of each section in your binder.
This makes it super easy to locate and access your family’s most important information at a moment’s notice.
Yes, it will take a bit of work to compile all the necessary information (especially if you have lots of different accounts). But once it’s done, your Emergency Binder will require very little maintenance.
How often should you update the information in your binder?
I update our family’s Emergency Binder at the beginning of every calendar year, OR whenever we have a major life change in the middle of a year (new home/address, changing insurance companies, a new baby with a new SSN, etc.)
This seems to work well for our lifestyle. However, you’ll want to decide what works best for you and your family.
Thanks to my printable workbook, it’s super quick and easy to update this document and print off a new copy every year.
I can usually get everything updated and the new documents printed off in about 30 minutes!
Where should you store your Emergency Binder?
After I fill out the workbook, I save one copy to my portable hard drive, another “encrypted” copy to Dropbox, and then I print off a hard copy to actually put IN the binder itself.
We store our physical binder in a convenient location in our home that we can easily access.
Both our parents know where the binder is located as they would most likely be the people who would “take over” for a while if we couldn’t.
Here are some ideas of where you might store your binder:
- With cookbooks in the kitchen
- With photo albums in the living room
- Out in plain sight labeled “family vacation” or “favorite memories”
- On the tool bench in the basement
- In the game cabinet
- With craft supplies
- In the office labeled “to-do’s” or “manuals”
I know many people keep all their important information locked away for safe-keeping. However, I figure that if a thief came into my home, they would probably look for a fireproof safe before they bothered looking for cookbooks, family photo albums, craft supplies, or in the game cabinet.
At least that’s my theory!
Plus, as I mentioned above, we actually use our Emergency Binder on a regular basis, so it’s nice to have it easily accessible and not buried away in our safe.
I am 100% confident this binder will be a huge help in ANY type of emergency situation.
I can’t tell you how much peace of mind it gives me on a daily basis!
I hope this information and the free workbook motivate you to create your own Family Emergency Binder. I know you will never regret it!
Get yourself a binder, download the template below, fill it out, print it off… and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have all your “ducks in a row” in the event of a crisis or family emergency!
Nette says
Please send documents needed for family emergency/in case of death binder.
Thanks
Nette
Matt Haley says
Hey Andrea,
I clicked on the link to get the workbook (templates and pdf) and left my email address but I haven’t received anything. Can you please send directly to my email? Let me know.
Michelle Russell says
Hi I cant seem to find the link to the family death/ emergency planning templates? It was not emailed to me … lots of PDF ads….
Thanks for doing this.
Michelle Russell
michelle.russell4@comcast.net
Andrea says
hi Michelle — I just sent it to your email!
Beth Cassidy says
Thank you for your work. I consider it a gift! I know my family will be grateful for this binder when the time comes.
Andrea says
you’re very welcome, Beth! Glad you could get the binder information now!
Zofia Rado says
Hi Andrea,
Thank you so much for sharing your brilliant idea on compiling a ‘Master Emergency Family Binder’ that can be used year-round. I’ll be sure to pass this valuable resource + so many other freebies on to my family and friends. Life can be unpredictable, and the last thing anyone needs is the added stress of managing important documents during critical times.
I also want to express my gratitude for making this information downloadable and easily accessible. So many bloggers request payment, and with such high inflation, that can often be a stopping factor. Thank you again for this wonderful contribution—bless you, and sending you loads of love and light!
I am now a subscriber as the info is so user-friendly and easy to navigate! Merci Beaucoup
Andrea says
You’re very welcome Zofia! Glad to have you as a new subscriber/reader and super hopeful you will get your important information binder put together!
JEN says
LOOKING FORWARD TO RECEIVING THE FREE TEMPLATES FOR MY EMERGENCY BINDER
Lauren Pickett says
Emergency Binder
virginia says
I am so excited to get your templates. You make it seem easy and been wanting to do this for a long time, and now that we have retired I feel like we need this even more. Thank You
Andrea says
Hi Virginia!
it’s pretty straightforward to put the binder together — the “hardest” part is gathering all the information. Once you do that, it will be all in one place forever and you won’t need to “redo” it over and over again — just a few updates here and there!
lisa says
Retiring this year and need to get everything in order for my family.
Thank you so much 🙂
Joy says
I know I need to get everything together and have been working with some of the items already. I just need to pull it all together for my children. I lost my husband suddenly 3 years ago and with their help we were able to get everything but I don’t want them to have to go through all the emotions I had to endure. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Andrea says
This is so great that you are proactive in getting your information together. You will not regret the work you do on this binder! Good for you!
Jen says
I’m looking forward to doing this
Andrea says
yay — so glad you were able to download it this year 🙂
Tru says
I guess I missed cannot find the template form. Can you email me one, please?
Tru says
Never mind. I opened this in a different browser and tada, there it was. Thanks.
Andrea says
great — glad you figured it out!
David Dabney says
Can you please send me the emergency binder template?
Andrea says
I emailed it to you, David!
Amelia says
Hi Andrea,
I came to download your template but there is no link to do so….have a missed something or could it be a glitch?
Andrea says
Hi Amelia,
There’s a box towards the end of the post to enter your email address and then the printables are emailed to you.
Thanks!
MeandingDaisy says
Excellent information. I love having information all in one spot and your binder does that. Thanks for all you do.
Valerie says
Dear Andrea, I am a senior who is so happy to have found your website. Thank you for the free emergency family binder template. I really appreciate your generosity and hope to start putting it together for my husband and adult son.
Andrea says
you’re very Welcome, Valerie — I know how great you will feel once your emergency binder is put together!
Tammy Most says
I saw the article about you in the recent edition of Spark magazine. It has been my goal to have a disaster file finished by the end of this year. I am really excited to get started with the template. Thanks so much! God bless you and your family!
Andrea says
Thanks Tammy — it was fun to be featured in the Spark! I’m excited for you to get your files in order and feel confident that my Important Information Binder will help you do just that!
Barbara G says
I am having trouble figuring out which click here on this page gets to the downloadable templates – Are you able to send a hyperlink? I’d like to create this for our family. Thanks!
Andrea says
Hi Barbara, there are 2 boxes (towards the bottom of the post) that have a white box for your email address and then a button that says “send me the workbook”. If you enter your email address, it will email you directly with the link to the free binder template/printable.
Let me know if you still have issues and I’ll see what I can do.
Thanks,
Sherry says
Thank you for making this available!
Andrea says
you’re very welcome, Sherry!
Nancy Smith says
Thank you for putting this together. Hubby an I are retired and I just need to get this done. This will be a great guide for me to help me gather it all together. Thanks again.
Andrea says
yay — I’m so glad this helped you!
Wendy says
Having trouble figuring out which click here on this page gets to the downloadable templates – don’t want to click some malware thing. Are you able to send a hyperlink? I’d like to create this for our family. Thanks!
Jenny says
Thanks, I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and even though I am a fairly organized person, I just wasn’t sure where to start, now I know.
Andrea says
you’re welcome — getting started is always the hardest part, so I’m happy to help in that area!
Jeanne K says
I have requested the workbook twice and have not received a confirmation in my email. Any issues with requesting one .
Thank you
Andrea says
so sorry Jeanne… it should come right to your email. Did you check you spam?
If it’s not there, just email me directly (andrea@andreadekker.com) and I’ll send it to you. Thanks!
Sandra Hawkins says
can you please send me another copy of the emergency work book I lost mine trying to save it thank you so very much
Dell Smith says
Thank you
Sonia V Steckert says
Thank you for designing such a comprehensive Family Emergency Binder system.
I downloaded it several years ago, and now I can quickly make updates to what “LIFE” changes
we’ve experienced. (Retirement, new car, insurance changes, etc.)
Andrea says
you are very welcome, Sonia! I’m thrilled it’s working so well for you… and yes, it’s very easy to update once you have your system down 🙂
Susan says
Thank you as this is quite a feat to accomplish. I started organzing everything when I retired. My husband has NO interest. Its hard to know what papers to keep and what to throw away.
Andrea says
way to get started on this project Susan! It will be a great help for your, your husband, and your adult children.
Your husband might just be feeling overwhelmed with the idea of getting things organized — he may “get on board” once he sees the progress you’re making. Either way, just keep doing a little each day. You’ll get there eventually!
Penny says
Thank you! My parents are getting older, my dad has dementia, and I have a special needs sister. If something happens to my mom I think it will be very difficult for us because she handles everything for them right now. I am going to get one of these set up for her to help make it easier. I wouldn’t have known where to get started so thank you.
Andrea says
this is a GREAT idea Penny! You and your family will benefit so much from having this information easily accessible.
Rosa says
Finally a system I can understand. What type of binder should I purchase?
Thank you for saving me a huge headache.
Andrea says
any type of binder could work — I use the “due binder” (but they are hard to find these days).
Vicki G says
I just got my C-line Duo binder from Staples.com
Andrea says
yay — have fun organizing it!