Estate planning basics (in plain language)
Topic: Life Planning
Reading time: 5 min
Estate planning sounds intimidating, but the basics are simple: choose trusted decision‑makers, write down your wishes, and keep documents organized. (Laws vary by location—use this as education, not legal advice.)
Common documents (and what they do)
- Will: who inherits property, and who manages your estate.
- Durable power of attorney: who can handle finances if you can’t.
- Healthcare proxy / medical power of attorney: who can make medical decisions if you can’t.
- Advance directive: your wishes for medical care in serious illness.
“Good enough” is better than perfect: A simple plan helps more than waiting for the perfect plan.
How to start this week
- Pick the person you’d trust in a crisis (and ask them).
- Write down your values and priorities.
- Gather key account and contact info in one place.
Useful resources
See our Planning resources page for well-known starting points.
Related: Advance care planning.
Ask your clinician (starter questions)
- “What’s the most likely explanation in my case?”
- “What serious causes are we ruling out?”
- “Could any medications or supplements contribute?”
- “What’s the simplest next step?”
- “What should make me call you sooner or seek urgent care?”
If you want to prepare for a visit, try the Doctor Visit Checklist. For general support, browse Topics or Common Issues.