Emergency Contact FAQ
Common questions and answers about your role as an Emergency Contact.
General Questions
Q: What exactly is an Emergency Contact?
A: An Emergency Contact is a trusted person designated to serve as a point of contact during urgent situations. You're responsible for notifying Authorised Representatives when something happens to the Will Owner, but you do NOT have access to will documents or estate information.
Q: How is this different from being an Authorised Representative?
A: Emergency Contacts are notification-only roles. You cannot access will documents, download files, or execute the will. Authorised Representatives have full access to documents and are responsible for executing the will. Emergency Contacts simply alert representatives when something happens.
Q: Can I be both an Emergency Contact and Authorised Representative?
A: Yes! You can serve in both roles, either for the same person or for different people. Your dashboard will show all your responsibilities in one place.
Q: How many Will Owners can I be an Emergency Contact for?
A: There's no limit. You can accept Emergency Contact invitations from multiple Will Owners. Each will appear in your Responsibilities dashboard.
Q: Can I decline to be an Emergency Contact?
A: Yes. Simply don't accept the invitation within the 7-day window. You can also contact the Will Owner directly to discuss your concerns before the invitation expires.
Invitation & Access Questions
Q: My invitation expired. What should I do?
A: Contact the Will Owner and ask them to resend the invitation from their Emergency Contacts dashboard. Once resent, you'll have another 7 days to accept.
Q: I didn't receive the invitation email. Where is it?
A: Check your spam/junk folder first. If still not found, verify with the Will Owner that they used the correct email address and ask them to resend.
Q: Do I need to pay for an account?
A: No! Being an Emergency Contact is completely free. You don't need a paid subscription—only the Will Owner pays for their subscription.
Q: Can I access the Emergency Details page on my phone?
A: Yes! The International Will Registry is fully responsive. You can access the Emergency Details page and notify representatives from any device with a web browser.
Responsibilities & Notification Questions
Q: When exactly should I notify representatives?
A: Notify representatives in genuine emergencies: when the Will Owner passes away, is seriously ill/hospitalized, becomes incapacitated, or is missing/unreachable. Don't notify for minor illnesses or routine matters.
Q: What happens when I click "Notify Representatives"?
A: All Active representatives receive an email notification explaining that you (the Emergency Contact) have alerted them about a situation. The email instructs them to log in and access will documents to fulfill their responsibilities.
Q: Can I notify representatives multiple times?
A: Yes, but use this capability thoughtfully. You can send notifications if the situation changes or if follow-up is needed, but avoid sending excessive alerts for the same issue.
Q: What if the representatives don't respond after I notify them?
A: Try contacting them directly using the email addresses shown on the Emergency Details page. If still no response and the situation is urgent, consider contacting legal counsel or authorities for guidance.
Q: Am I legally responsible for the will execution?
A: No. Your only responsibility is to notify representatives when appropriate. Authorised Representatives are responsible for executing the will. You have no legal obligations beyond notification.
Contact Information Questions
Q: How do I update my contact information?
A: Go to Dashboard → Profile Settings, update your phone number, email, or other contact details, and click Save Changes. Keeping this information current is critical for your role.
Q: Will the Will Owner see my updated contact information?
A: Yes. When you update your profile, the changes are reflected in the Will Owner's Emergency Contacts dashboard so they can reach you if needed.
Q: What if I'm going to be unavailable for an extended period?
A: Inform the Will Owner as soon as possible. They may want to designate an additional Emergency Contact to ensure someone is always reachable during your absence.
Q: Can I change my phone number or email after accepting?
A: Yes! Update your contact information anytime from your Profile Settings. Make sure to do this promptly when your contact details change.
Technical & Security Questions
Q: Is my information secure?
A: Yes. The International Will Registry uses industry-standard encryption, Row-Level Security policies, and regular security audits. Your contact information is protected and only accessible to those who need it.
Q: Can I use the same account for multiple purposes?
A: Absolutely! Your account can serve multiple roles. You can be a Will Owner for your own wills, an Emergency Contact for others, and/or an Authorised Representative—all in one account.
Q: What if I forget my password?
A: Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset your password. You'll receive an email with instructions to create a new password.
Q: Are my notification actions logged?
A: Yes, for transparency and accountability. All notifications sent to representatives are logged with timestamps. This helps maintain a record of when representatives were alerted.
Resignation & Changes
Q: Can I resign from being an Emergency Contact?
A: Yes. Discuss this with the Will Owner first, as they'll need to designate a replacement. Contact support for assistance with the process.
Q: What if my relationship with the Will Owner changes?
A: Have an honest conversation with the Will Owner about whether you should continue in this role. They can remove you from the Emergency Contact role if needed.
Q: Can the Will Owner remove me as an Emergency Contact?
A: Yes. The Will Owner can remove Emergency Contacts at any time from their dashboard. If removed, you'll lose access to the Emergency Details page for that Will Owner.
If you encounter any issues, we're here to help:
- Check our FAQ section for common solutions
- Contact our support team at info@theinternationalwillregistry.com