As an advisory firm serving Flagstaff and Sedona, Arizona, we understand that living in Northern Arizona comes with unique challenges every year — from the wildfire season that sweeps through the Coconino National Forest to the flooding risks that follow heavy summer monsoons.
While our priority is helping clients with financial planning, investment management, and tax preparation services, we also care deeply about your overall security and peace of mind. That includes helping you be ready for emergencies that could affect both your home and your financial future.
Being prepared can protect not just your loved ones but also your financial well-being. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you create a “grab-and-go” document box so your most important records are safe, organized, and ready to take with you if you ever face a mandatory or voluntary evacuation in Flagstaff, Sedona, or anywhere in Northern Arizona.
Documents to prioritize in preparation for an evacuation event
Below is a list of documents and items to set aside for your family to take with you in the event of an evacuation. Some of these items might feel like a no-brainer, but a little reminder never hurts. If you’re creating a grab-and-go document box for the first time, you can use this list as a guide. If you do already have a grab-and-go document box, you can use this list to make sure it’s up to date.
- Drivers License(s)
- Passport(s)
- Birth Certificates and Marriage Certificate
- Social Security Cards
- Citizenship Documents
- Trust and / or Estate Documents
- Wills
- Medical Records for your Family (and pets!)
- Prescriptions and Medications
- Real Estate Deeds for your primary home and any rental properties
While we haven’t included financial statements here, you may want to print annual summaries of your tax records, insurance documents, and investment statements to keep in the box. This can make filing claims or preparing taxes after a disaster much easier
Bonus Advice
Once you’ve collected the documents above, it is also a great idea to make digital copies of essential documents and save them to one (or two) USB drive. This is true not only for essential documents, but any sentimental photographs you want to ensure are safe.
Final Thoughts
No one wants to imagine evacuating their home — but for residents of Flagstaff and Sedona, wildfire and flood risks are a reality. A little preparation today can save years of stress and rebuilding tomorrow.
If you’d like help organizing your tax documents, reviewing your estate plan, or ensuring your investment portfolio is protected from life’s unexpected events, our team is here to help. Schedule a consultation with our Flagstaff or Sedona office and let us help you secure your financial future.
