The document most families forget to write

Hey Fam, Michael here…

If something happened to you tonight, would the people stepping in actually know how to care for your child?

Not just the legal stuff. The real stuff.

What calms them down. What sets them off. What they eat, what they won't touch, what routine they need to feel safe.

Most families don't have this in writing.

Let me give you an example.

Christian has sensory triggers. Blow dryers. Blenders. The hand dryers in public restrooms.

There was a season where we didn't go to restaurants because I knew, if I took him to the bathroom and that hand dryer went off, it was a full meltdown.

My mom? She's the best grandmother. Best cook you've ever met. But she doesn't know all of this. Not the details. Not the way Eli and I do.

If something happened to us and she had to step in, she'd be guessing.

That's the gap a Letter of Intent fills.

A Letter of Intent isn't a legal document. It won't hold up in court. But it might be the most important thing you ever write.

It's your voice when you're not there.

It tells the people stepping in:

Who your child really is, not just their diagnosis, but their personality, their fears, their joys.

• What triggers them—and what calms them down.

• Their daily routines—wake up, meals, bedtime, everything in between.

• Medical information—doctors, therapists, medications, allergies.

• Financial information—benefits, accounts, trusts, insurance.

• Emergency contacts—who to call, who not to call.

It's everything someone would need to care for your child the way you do.

I just recorded a full breakdown of this on YouTube with my friend Craig.

We walk through:

• What a Letter of Intent actually is

• Why it's different from a will or trust

• The biggest mistakes families make

• How to create yours today (it's free)

[WATCH THE VIDEO]

And if you want to get started right now, you can download our free Letter of Intent template:

[DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE]

One more thing, especially for the dads:

I'm joining Paul Sullivan from Company of Dads tonight for a free virtual event.

We're covering the first steps after diagnosis, 3 mistakes fathers should avoid, and preparing for lifelong care.

Dads, this one's for you.

If you've been meaning to "get organized" but haven't started, this is your start.

One document. A few hours. And the peace of knowing that if something happens, the people who step in won't be guessing.

They'll know.

[BOOK A CALL] if you want help putting the pieces together.

You're not behind. You're just getting started.

Let's keep going.

P.S. Next week: Why the smartest families don't plan alone. You need a team, but not the one you think.

Verse of the Week:

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

— 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

Disclaimer: This content is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical, medical, financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult licensed professionals who understand your individual situation.