The One Document Most People Forget in Their Estate Plan

When most people think about estate planning, they picture wills, trusts, and dividing up their stuff - the “who gets what” part. But there’s one crucial document almost everyone forgets, and it has nothing to do with money.

It’s called a Health Care Directive (sometimes called a Living Will or Advance Directive). And honestly? It might be the most important part of your entire estate plan.

Why It Matters

A Health Care Directive tells your loved ones, and your doctors, what kind of medical care you want if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself. This could be a serious illness, accident, or surgery gone wrong. It answers questions like:

• Do you want life support?

• Would you want to be kept alive by machines if there’s little chance of recovery?

• Who should make those decisions for you?

Without this document, your family could be left guessing, and potentially disagreeing, about what you would have wanted. And those conversations almost always happen at the worst possible time, in a hospital hallway, when emotions are high.

It’s a Gift of Clarity

Creating a Health Care Directive isn’t morbid. It’s compassionate. It removes guilt and conflict for your loved ones and gives them permission to honor your wishes without second-guessing themselves. It also empowers your chosen health-care agent (the person you name to speak for you) to act confidently, because they’ll know exactly what you wanted.

Keep It Handy

Once your Health Care Directive is complete, make sure your doctor and your loved ones know where it is. Keep a copy with your other estate-planning documents and consider uploading it to your patient portal. The key is accessibility. It only helps if people can find it.

Next Steps

Ready to check “estate planning” off your to-do list? Start by booking a Peace of Mind Planning Session. This is a 1-hour video or phone meeting with me. I’ll answer your questions and go over your options and our flat fees. Then, if we decide we’re a good fit to work together, we’ll discuss next steps. Mention this blog and we’ll waive the $450 session fee. Book here! https://tinyurl.com/MeetWithRalph