Your plain-language guide to the most important estate and end-of-life terms. Because no one should need a law degree to understand their own plan.

The cornerstone of every estate plan. Decide who gets what, who’s in charge, and who will care for children or pets.

Speak for yourself when you can’t. These forms record your medical wishes and authorize someone to make health care decisions for you.

Name someone to handle your financial or legal affairs if you’re unable to do it yourself. It’s the document that keeps your life running when you can’t.

Give the people you trust legal permission to receive medical updates. Love doesn’t automatically unlock hospital privacy rules.

The easiest way to keep accounts out of probate. Update your forms so money and benefits flow where you intend, not where an outdated form says they should.

Manage your digital life: email, photos, cloud storage, passwords, and subscriptions. Because your executor can’t access what they can’t find.

The first question after a crisis is “Who do we call?” This simple tool lists the people, professionals, and organizations that matter most.

Record your wishes for burial, cremation, donation, or other arrangements so your loved ones aren’t left guessing.