Don’t wait until you are near death to start preparations, says a recent article from MSN, “Estate planning: 20 important steps to protect your family’s future.” Taking these steps now protects you and your loved ones and can give you peace of mind, knowing you’ve done what needs to be done promptly.

Have your will created by an estate planning attorney. If your will is more than several years old, or if you don’t have a last will and testament, you need to consult with an experienced attorney. A notarized will prepared by a professional will ensure that your wishes are carried out. A will prepared using an online template or written by hand may create havoc for your family.

Name a guardian for your children. If your children are young, you’ll want to choose a guardian for them, which you can do in your will. If you don’t have a will, the court will decide who will raise them.

Make funeral arrangements. This is especially important if you have specific ideas about what you want to happen when you have passed. Do you want to be cremated or buried? Do you want your family to follow traditional religious observations? If you’d prefer a celebration of your life or for certain songs to be sung by mourners, you’ll need to plan it and tell loved ones your wishes.

Have you purchased life insurance? Death is difficult for those left behind, and it’s also expensive. Inexpensive life insurance policies are available to cover the cost of a funeral, which can be upwards of $10,000. Life insurance policies are also valuable if your children are young and the family will need to replace your income.

Separated but still legally married? A spouse who dies during a divorce leaves behind a spouse, regardless of the status of the divorce. The surviving spouse will receive part or all of everything you’ve amassed, including investment accounts, retirement accounts and pensions.

Do you have advance medical directives? If you become incapacitated, have you appointed someone to make decisions on your behalf through a medical power of attorney? Part of creating an estate plan is having documents prepared so someone can step in if you become incapacitated. With advance medical directives, they can talk to doctors and be involved in decision-making. Without them, they’ll have to go to court.

Do you have a power of attorney? This document authorizes someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf in the event of incapacity. It’s critical to avoid delays and additional costs.

Make an inventory of assets and debts. This will help loved ones manage your assets if you are incapacitated and manage your estate when you pass. You’ll also want to create an inventory of digital assets, including website and URL information, as well as usernames and passwords.

Clear out the paperwork you don’t need. You don’t need bank records from twenty years ago, nor do you need mortgage documents from homes you owned four houses ago. Keep the necessary documents and shred or destroy the rest.

Consider giving things away while you’re still living. If there are personal possessions you want certain people to have, you may want to give them to loved ones while you’re living to ensure that the right person receives them.

Having an estate plan is truly a gift to those you love, as it protects the family by clarifying your wishes, avoiding unnecessary expenses and lightening the decision-making burden.

Reference: MSN (March 16, 2026) “Estate planning: 20 important steps to protect your family’s future”