Planning for the future means preparing for the unexpected. At Expert Wealth, we have experience in all elements of estate and inheritance tax planning and use our expertise to provide practical advice at a difficult time.

An “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) document can help you bring together the crucial information that would be needed in the event of an accident or death. It provides a list of useful contact details and documents that will help your loved ones put your affairs in order.

As well as supplying a blank ICE document for you to fill in, we would also like to remind you about the Expert Wealth Personal Finance Portal (PFP). This is an online service that allows you to access and view all your finances in one place, wherever you are, and at whatever time of day.

Not only can you get up-to-date valuations and send secure messages to us, but you can also use the portal to digitally store information documents, such as your ICE document, securely.

Keep reading to find out how to complete your own ICE document, as well as how accessing the portal could make a real difference to your financial life.

An ICE document can reduce stress and worry for loved ones

At Expert Wealth, we understand the impact of bereavement, and the importance of long-term planning. That is why we are providing a blank ICE document that you can use to input all of the important information your loved ones would need to put your affairs in order.

You will be able to input the details for your next of kin, add the location of your will and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) document, plus the name and contact details for your executor and attorney. You can also include the details of any funeral arrangements you have made, making the process easier for those you leave behind.

Reporting a death can be emotionally demanding but by putting all your important information in one place you can lessen the stress. Add details of your pension and insurance providers, as well as the bank and building society accounts you hold, and the contact details for each. And be sure to keep the document up to date.

Even the details for your accountant, financial adviser, and dentist can make a loved one’s task easier.

You can include login details for your social media accounts and use the blank section at the end to include any extra information you think might be useful. That could be store card details, your eBay login, or any other savings accounts or investments you haven’t found room for elsewhere.

When the document is complete, put it somewhere safe and secure but also make sure a trusted individual knows where to find it. You might find the Expert Wealth PFP is the best place to secure it digitally.

The Expert Wealth portal is a safe and secure place to keep your personal information

If you have already signed up for the portal, you will understand the great benefits it offers. We’d recommend you add your ICE document to the secure document vault and make sure your next of kin knows the vault exists and that the document can be found there.

For those of you yet to sign up for the portal, it offers several advantages.

Access to open banking

Open banking allows you to collate information from bank accounts and credit cards, helping you to keep track of, and review your spending habits.

You can also set yourself goals and then check in regularly to see the progress you are making.

Secure messaging

The number of Brits falling victim to financial scams has increased significantly since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, as unscrupulous criminals have taken advantage of the worry and uncertainty the virus has caused.

Correspondence can be intercepted, and you might be wary of trusting emails you receive. PFP supports a secure messaging service that allows you to contact us directly and safely.

This gives you peace of mind that any information you share is encrypted and completely private.

A secure document vault

The portal also provides a secure document vault, where you can keep your financial and ICE documents safe online. The vault is secure and fully backed up, making it ideal for important information.

Get in touch

Planning the future is vitally important for reducing stress and worry for your loved ones at an already difficult time. The Expert Wealth ICE document and the online portal can help you secure all your valuable information and documents in one place.

Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss any aspect of your long-term financial or inheritance plans.