Planning for the end of life is a task many people postpone because it feels uncomfortable. Yet delaying important decisions and documents can leave loved ones with confusion and added stress during an already painful time. A 2024 survey by Caring.com found that only 32% of Americans have a will. Preparing essential documents in advance gives you control over your wishes and spares your family unnecessary legal and emotional burdens.
The Will
Credit: Canva
A will outlines how you want your property distributed after your death. Without a valid will, state law determines who inherits your assets, who administers your estate, and in some situations who will be guardian for minor children. These default rules may not reflect your intentions. While some states accept handwritten wills under specific conditions, having a properly prepared will provides clearer guidance and reduces the chance of disputes or court intervention.
Special Needs Trust
Credit: Getty Images
Leaving assets directly to a child or adult with a disability can unintentionally cause them to lose means-tested benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income, which limit countable assets to around $2,000. A special needs trust, drafted by an experienced attorney, holds funds outside the beneficiary’s personal assets so government benefit eligibility is preserved. This lets the beneficiary continue receiving public support while also benefiting from supplemental resources the trust provides.
Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
Credit: Canva
A durable power of attorney for finances lets you appoint someone to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so. That agent can pay bills, handle accounts, file taxes, and make other financial decisions on your behalf. The “durable” designation means the authority continues if you lose mental capacity. Attorneys typically recommend reviewing and updating this document after major life events such as marriage, divorce, or a move to a new state.
Beneficiary Designations
Credit: Canva
Designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, and bank accounts with payable-on-death instructions transfer directly to the named beneficiaries and avoid probate. Because beneficiary designations take precedence over wills, failing to update them after major life changes can produce unintended results—people have accidentally left assets to ex-spouses. Periodically reviewing and updating these designations is quick and can prevent significant complications for survivors.
Funeral and Final Arrangements Plan
Credit: iStockphoto
Documenting funeral preferences saves loved ones from making stressful decisions during an emotional time. The National Funeral Directors Association reports a national median cost for a burial funeral of about $8,300. Preplanning lets you specify preferences for burial or cremation, service details, and whether you prefer to prepay. Prepaid plans may lock in current prices, but terms vary and additional charges can arise. Still, taking an afternoon to record your wishes offers clarity and reduces the burden on family.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Credit: Getty Images
A healthcare power of attorney (also called a healthcare proxy) designates someone to make medical decisions when you cannot speak for yourself. This authority typically takes effect only after a doctor determines you lack capacity. Choosing a healthcare agent requires selecting someone who understands your values and can communicate effectively with medical professionals and family members during stressful circumstances.
Do Not Resuscitate and Do Not Intubate Orders
Credit: Getty Images
DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) and DNI (Do Not Intubate) orders clarify how aggressively you want medical teams to intervene if your heart stops or you stop breathing. For people with terminal or advanced chronic illnesses, aggressive interventions may not align with their wishes. Out-of-hospital CPR has limited survival rates, and outcomes are often poorer for patients with serious underlying disease. Documenting your preferences in advance helps ensure medical care aligns with your goals.
Organ and Tissue Donation Registration
Credit: Canva
Registering as an organ and tissue donor allows your wishes to be honored and can save many lives. One donor can save up to eight lives and greatly benefit dozens more through tissue donation. Because hospitals require verifiable documentation and family members may be unsure of your wishes, registering with an official donor registry helps ensure medical staff follow your decision and can prevent disputes at emotionally fraught moments.
Revocable Living Trust
Credit: Getty Images
A revocable living trust achieves many of the same goals as a will but with key advantages. When properly funded, a living trust keeps assets out of probate, preserving privacy and often speeding distributions to beneficiaries. Probate is a public process, whereas a trust can avoid public filings and limit exposure to creditors or opportunistic claims. Trusts also allow you to set conditions for distributions—for example, delaying access to funds until a beneficiary reaches a specified age.
Living Will (POLST)
Credit: Getty Images
A living will records which medical interventions you want or do not want if you become unable to communicate those choices. A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) goes further: it is signed by a physician and included in your medical record as an actionable medical order. First responders and hospital staff can follow a POLST immediately without waiting for family input. Discussing and completing these documents with your healthcare provider ensures your care aligns with your values and avoids uncertainty in emergencies.