Get this handled. Then focus on everything else.
Having your documents in order means fewer decisions for your family — and more energy for what matters now.
Why estate planning matters after a diagnosis
You have enough to manage. The goal here is to take decisions off the table — for you and for your family.
When your documents are current, the people around you have clear authority to act. No scrambling, no court petitions, no guessing what you would have wanted. You decide now, while you can, and then you're done.
This is one of the few things on your list you can finish completely.
What you need to know
1
Healthcare directive
Put your medical preferences in writing — resuscitation, life support, pain management, comfort care. This removes the burden of guessing from the people who love you.
2
Healthcare proxy
Name someone to make medical decisions if you can't communicate. They need to know your wishes and be willing to advocate for them.
3
Financial power of attorney
Name someone who can pay bills, manage accounts, and handle financial matters if you're unable to. Without this, your family may need court approval to access your own money.
4
Beneficiary review
Retirement accounts and life insurance pass by beneficiary designation. Confirm the names on file are current and correct.
5
Trust review
If you have a trust, confirm it's funded — that assets are actually titled in the trust's name. A trust only controls what's in it.
6
Final arrangements
Writing down your preferences — burial, cremation, service details — means your family won't have to guess or disagree during an already difficult time.
Your serious diagnosis checklist
Sign a healthcare directive documenting your medical preferences
Create a Healthcare Power of Attorney naming your proxy
Create a Financial Power of Attorney
Review beneficiaries on retirement accounts and life insurance
Confirm your trust is funded and current
Name (or confirm) your successor trustee
Tell your healthcare proxy where to find your documents
Tell your financial agent where to find your documents
Write down your preferences for final arrangements
Let your family know the plan is done
Frequently Asked Questions
The healthcare directive and powers of attorney are the priority — those give your people authority to act. If you can complete them this week, do it. The rest can follow. What matters is that someone can make decisions on your behalf if you're unable to.
You need to be able to understand what you're signing and express your wishes clearly. If there's any question, get it done now rather than waiting. If capacity is already significantly impaired, your family may need to pursue a court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship — which is exactly what these documents are designed to avoid.
Someone who will advocate for your wishes, even under pressure. That's not always the person who loves you most — sometimes it's the person who can stay calm in a crisis and push back on doctors or family members if needed. They need to know what you want and be willing to follow through.
You can still sign healthcare directives and powers of attorney — those work regardless of whether you have a trust. If you have time and energy, creating a trust now avoids probate for your family later. If you don't, focus on the healthcare documents first.
Yes. Healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and trusts can all be updated as long as you have capacity. If your situation, preferences, or relationships change, you can revise your documents. Nothing is permanent until you're no longer able to make changes.
Free tools to help
Documents and calculators to guide you through the process.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Understand what you need to execute your estate planning documents. Check witness requirements, notarization rules, and whether you can sign remotely via video call (RON).
Check Requirements
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
See how your state handles beneficiary designations after divorce, inherited IRA creditor protection, and spousal consent requirements for retirement accounts.
Check Now
Do I Need a Trust or Will?
Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.
Compare Options
As life happens, SimplyTrust
New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Marriage
Starting a life together means planning for it. Beneficiary updates, asset titling, powers of attorney, and what blended families need to know.
Divorce
Your life is changing. Your documents should too. Beneficiary updates, trust replacement, POA revocations, and the steps to protect your independent future.
Loss of a Spouse
When you're ready, this won't take long. Settling the estate, claiming survivor benefits, retitling assets, and updating your own plan.
New Home
Your home is probably your biggest asset. Protect it like one. Property titling, trust ownership, and how to keep your home out of probate.
Inheritance
Inheriting assets brings responsibility. How to manage, protect, and plan for inherited wealth — including tax implications and trust options.
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Moving to a New State
State laws vary significantly for wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. What to review after relocating to make sure your estate plan still works.
Death of a Parent
Losing a parent is overwhelming. What needs to happen next — settling the estate, navigating probate, and the steps to move forward.
Named as Executor
Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.
Named as Trustee
Being named trustee means managing trust assets and carrying out the grantor's wishes. Your duties, timeline, compensation, and how to get started.