Planning
The Planning Project
Getting your affairs in order is a process, not a one-time task—and that’s normal. Planning can feel overwhelming, but it works best when you take it one step at a time. The purpose is straightforward: to make things easier for the people who will have to act after you’re gone, and to protect as much of what you leave behind as possible.
Getting Started
You don’t have to—and realistically can’t—do everything at once. Start where you can. One critical early step is to tell at least one trusted person where your important documents and information are kept, even if your plan is unfinished.
For help thinking through what decisions matter most, visit the Your Choices section of this site.
Key Things to Know
Planning is about clarity and preparation, not spending money. Paying for things in advance is a separate decision and comes with risks—read the Pre-Paying section before committing to anything.
Your Plan Will Need Updates
Don’t wait for a “perfect” moment—any plan is better than none. While laws differ by state, many core concepts are shared nationwide. And expect surprises: there’s more involved than most people anticipate.
Keep Taking the Next Step Forward!
Essential Legal & Medical Documents
Getting your legal and medical paperwork in order helps ensure your wishes are followed, your loved ones are protected, and unnecessary stress is avoided. These are the most important legal and medical documents everyone should consider completing.
Non-Legal Instructions
Most people have many aspects of their life that will need attention when they are gone. Many of these instructions do NOT belong in legal documents, such as the location of passwords, keys, and pet care information. It can be extremely challenging for your survivors to have to figure out what needs taking care of and how to do it, so these instructions can sometimes be even more valuable than the legal documents.
Deciding What to Instruct
Both your legal documents and non-legal instructions will likely include expressing your wishes of what to do with your body and related matters. The YOUR CHOICES section of this website is meant to help you understand what your options are so that you can select what you would most prefer.
Pre-Pay & Funding Options
Paying for end-of-life costs usually means either pre-paying a provider or saving the money yourself. The Pre-Pay Options page explains how each option works, why saving is often safer, and what to watch for before committing.
Personal & Family History
We all change as we age. It is a sad and common experience to discover that, as an adult, there are questions we wish we had asked our parents and grandparents. Leaving your story behind is a precious gift that your family will most likely appreciate long after you are gone. We include some ideas and resources for these kinds of projects.
Professionals: Who Can Help & When
From attorneys and financial planners to funeral directors, hospice teams, social workers, gerontologists, and death doulas, each plays a distinct role in guiding individuals and families through legal, emotional, and practical matters. This section explains what each professional does and provides links to their key organizations and credentialing bodies for trustworthy, qualified support.