Estate Planning
Getting Started
The following documents should be included in your estate plan:
Letter of Instructions
This informal document addresses financial and personal matters that must be attended to after your death.
Advance Directive
These documents refer to health care directives, living wills, health care (medical) powers of attorney, and other personalized directives.
Power of Attorney
This document delegates the power to legally handle your financial affairs should you become disabled or incapacitated.
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Checklists
Guide to Planning Wills and Trusts
Download this publication or these excerpts. (Adobe Acrobat required).
AARP Resources
AARP Legal Services Network
AARP members and their spouses or partners can access a large directory of lawyers, which can help with legal matters such as wills.
AARP Books
AARP Crash Course in Estate Planning
Lawyer Michael Palermo steers novices through the estate-planning wilderness.
What was the mental condition of Manhattan socialite and philanthropist Brooke Astor when she changed her will in the final years of her life? How jurors decide this question will likely determine the outcome of her son's trial on charges that he stole millions of dollars from her estate, legal experts say.
Never Too Young for an Advance Directive
When planning for the inevitable, draw up your advance directives as part of your life portfolio to be sure your loved ones make health choices according to your wishes.
The Case of the Family Feud
This real-life court case deals with trusts and estate planning. Read and see if you agree with the judge's verdict.
From the Online Community
The Truth About Living Trusts
Just like a will, a revocable living trust is a written document that lets you direct how your property will pass after your death. Unlike a will, it also directs how you want your property managed during any disability.
Choice of a Lifetime
Most people consider a will the best tool to make their wishes known to relatives and to have those wishes carried out. Sometimes a living trust, alone or in combination with a will, offers a better solution.
Your Estate-Planning Team
Estate planning is a complex task. To do it right, you may need to seek the advice of more than one expert.
Inheritance Tips
If you are fortunate enough to receive an inheritance, make the most of it. Here are some tips on how to manage the money.
Checklist: What to Do After a Spouse Dies
Learn which financial steps you should take following the death of a spouse.
More Estate Planning Articles
Most Popular in Estate Planning
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Financial Guidance in a Volatile Market
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