The Spare Key
June 24, 2026
It’s just another Tuesday. You turn off the lights, make sure the thermostat is turned down, and take one last look around at the familiar photos on the wall. You smile when you see the flowers on the counter that bring back memories from Sunday’s family supper. Then, you lock your door and leave for the day.
Then something unexpected happens. An accident. You can’t come back home and reopen your door yourself.
The people you love arrive, ready to help.
They rush to the door and turn the handle.
The door won’t open.
They look for the spare key.
There isn’t one.
They must call a locksmith.
They wait.
They explain the situation.
They prove who they are again and again.
They pay for access.
They absorb the stress.
And even then, the door doesn’t open easily. Because the lock wasn’t broken. It was doing exactly what it was designed to do. All that was missing was a spare key.
A recent survey found that nearly 90% of American adults are missing a critical piece of their financial plan: a financial power of attorney.
Let that sink in for a second.
Not an investment strategy.
Not a retirement account.
Not even a will.
A financial power of attorney, the one document that acts as the spare key to your financial life. Most people think that estate planning is about what happens when you die. But it’s actually about making decisions before someone else has to make them for you.
Here’s the reality people don’t love to think about, but should:
- There’s a strong likelihood you'll need help managing your affairs at some point in your life
- Without the right documents in place, your family may have to go through court just to help you
That’s not just stressful. It’s expensive, time-consuming, emotionally draining and most importantly, completely avoidable.
A solid estate plan typically includes:
- Will – outlines what happens to your assets
- Trust (not always) – helps avoid probate and adds control
- Financial Power of Attorney – allows someone to manage finances if you can’t
- Healthcare Proxy or Medical Power of Attorney – allows someone to make medical decisions
- HIPAA Authorization – gives access to your medical information
But the reality is that only about 26% of Americans have a will, just 11% have a financial power of attorney and even fewer have the full set of documents in place.
So where do I start?
Begin by asking: “Would the people I love know what to do if something happened to me tomorrow?” This shift changes everything. If you answer “no,” then follow these three simple steps:
That’s it. Simple, not always easy, but incredibly impactful.
At the end of the day, financial planning isn’t just about numbers. It’s about people. It’s about making sure that in the moments that matter most, the people you love aren’t left standing outside without a spare key.
Contact us today to schedule a Discovery Meeting and learn how having the right plan in place can help protect what matters most, so the people you love always have the spare key when they need it most.
Schedule your Discovery Meeting
Investment products offered by TS Prosperity Group are: Not a Deposit • Not FDIC Insured • Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency • Not Guaranteed by the Bank • May Go Down in Value.