Family Risk Readiness Guide
Choosing to leave the United States is deeply personal. Only you and your family can make that decision. Our goal is to help you make informed choices based on evidence.
Start by defining your hard lines. What specific events would signal it's time to act? For some families, that line is journalists arrested for reporting. For others, it's opposition leaders detained without trial, or courts stripped of power to review executive actions. Some draw the line at legal protections removed for minority groups or elections suspended or results overturned without legitimate cause.
Your hard line is yours alone. Use our dashboard to monitor events in real time. Track whether your personal thresholds are being approached or crossed.
While you monitor the situation, this checklist will help you prepare.
Family Readiness Checklist
Documents & Legal
- ✓ Passports for entire family (valid 6+ months)
- ✓ Birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption papers
- ✓ Social Security cards, driver's licenses
- ✓ Medical records, vaccination records
- ✓ Insurance policies, wills, power of attorney
- ✓ Business registration, tax documents
- ✓ School transcripts, diplomas, certifications
- ✓ Digital copies stored securely (encrypted cloud storage)
- ✓ Physical copies in waterproof document holder
Financial Preparation
- ✓ Emergency fund (6-12 months living expenses)
- ✓ International-friendly bank account (no foreign transaction fees)
- ✓ Multi-currency account or travel card
- ✓ Credit cards that work internationally
- ✓ Cash reserve in USD and target currency
- ✓ Notify current banks of potential relocation
- ✓ Understand tax implications (consider expat tax specialist)
- ✓ Document all assets and account information
Immigration & Visa
- ✓ Research visa pathways (work, student, ancestry, investor)
- ✓ Identify 2-3 candidate countries with favorable policies
- ✓ Understand timeline and requirements for each option
- ✓ Consult immigration attorney in target country
- ✓ Gather documentation for asylum eligibility (if applicable)
- ✓ Research citizenship by descent options
Housing & Belongings
- ✓ Research housing markets in target cities
- ✓ Identify short-term rental options for initial arrival
- ✓ Plan for current home (sell, rent, or maintain)
- ✓ Inventory belongings (keep, sell, donate, store, ship)
- ✓ Research international shipping costs and timelines
- ✓ Identify essential items to bring vs. buy new
- ✓ Secure storage if needed for items left behind
Health & Insurance
- ✓ Complete physical exams (doctor, dentist, vision)
- ✓ Update all vaccinations
- ✓ Fill prescriptions (get 3-6 month supply if possible)
- ✓ Request copies of all medical records
- ✓ Research healthcare system in target country
- ✓ Understand insurance requirements for visa
- ✓ Arrange international health insurance coverage
Pets (if applicable)
- ✓ Research pet import requirements for destination country
- ✓ Microchip and update rabies vaccination (often required 21+ days before travel)
- ✓ Obtain health certificate from accredited vet (usually within 10 days of travel)
- ✓ Research airlines that allow pets in cabin or cargo
- ✓ Purchase airline-approved carrier
- ✓ Discuss sedation options with vet (if needed)
Travel & Transportation
- ✓ Research flight options and book tickets
- ✓ Book return/onward travel if required for visa
- ✓ Obtain international driver's license (if planning to drive)
- ✓ Plan for vehicle (sell, store, or ship)
- ✓ Cancel or transfer car insurance
- ✓ Research local transportation in destination city
- ✓ Arrange airport pickup or initial transportation
Digital & Security
- ✓ Backup all critical data (encrypted cloud and physical drives)
- ✓ Set up password manager and 2FA/security keys
- ✓ Secure digital copies of all important documents
- ✓ Research VPN needs for target country
- ✓ Understand data privacy laws in new location
- ✓ Update privacy settings on social media accounts
Communication & Admin
- ✓ Research international phone plans or local SIM options
- ✓ Set up mail forwarding or virtual mailbox service
- ✓ Update address on all important accounts
- ✓ Cancel unnecessary subscriptions and memberships
- ✓ Download offline maps and translation apps
- ✓ Save emergency numbers for destination country
- ✓ Register with U.S. embassy in destination country
School & Children (if applicable)
- ✓ Research school systems in target cities
- ✓ Identify international schools or local public options
- ✓ Understand enrollment requirements and timelines
- ✓ Request school records and transcripts
- ✓ Talk with children about the move (age-appropriate)
- ✓ Plan for education continuity during transition
Community & Language
- ✓ Learn basic phrases in local language
- ✓ Join expat communities online (forums, social media groups)
- ✓ Connect with LGBTQ+ organizations in destination (if applicable)
- ✓ Research local customs and cultural norms
- ✓ Identify contacts abroad (friends, family, support organizations)
- ✓ Plan initial meetups or events to build community
Essential Packing
- ✓ Pack carry-on with essentials (documents, medications, valuables)
- ✓ Bring items hard to find abroad (specialty products, prescriptions)
- ✓ Purchase power adapters and voltage converters
- ✓ Label luggage clearly with destination address
- ✓ Keep important phone numbers and addresses accessible
- ✓ Pack comfort items for children (if applicable)