Among the many conse- quences of 9/11 is a heightened awareness of the need for indi- vidual estate and financial plan- ning. The tragic events of that day brought home both the unpredictability of life and the realization that many--perhaps most--people are woefully un- prepared for a sudden disaster and the effects it can have on their families.

While the chances of being involved in a terrorist incident are remote, planners point out that earthquakes, fires, floods and other natural disasters can also have a major impact. And while it is impossible to antici- pate everything that could hap- pen, thoughtful planners now agree on the importance of cre- ating an "individual disaster plan" to provide for surviving family members.

Here are some of the sugges- tions that have arisen:

+Establish spousal support trusts to take care of children and surviving spouses.

+Determine where you should keep your important documents and be sure other family members know where to find them. Make copies.

+Provide for backup com- munication in case family mem- bers are separated by a disaster. This might include additional cellphones, multiple e-mail ac- counts or agreed-upon meeting locations.

+Appoint guardians for mi- nor children. (If you do not, courts may make this decision, as they were forced to in New York following Sept. 11.)

+Appoint different guardians for different issues, that is, one guardian for financial and estate decisions and another for per- sonal matters such as schools, healthcare and clothing.

+Coordinate planning docu- ments to ensure clarity of who has the power to do what. Be sure that there is no conflict or

ambiguity among multiple documents that may be activated simultaneously.

+Consider the use of "trust protectors" or committees when disaster situations call for action and there are questions as to the whereabouts or existence of settlors, trustees or beneficia- ries.

+Provide your advisors (at- torneys, accountants, bankers, etc.) with direct instructions as to who handles what and how they are to work together.

Your unique circumstances and desires will dictate what your plan should include. What- ever you decide, remember that responsible and prudent plan- ning dictates periodic reviews and updates of your total plan to ensure that your goals and ob- jectives can be carried out as you wish.

Roger Stinnett is vice presi- dent and manager of tax and fi- nancial planning with City Na- tional Bank For more informa- tion, call (800) 708-8881.