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.
Voices
A Matter of Trusts
Financial adviser Jonathan D. Pond talks about the importance of a power of attorney and a letter of instructions to your estate plan.
Tools
Charitable Giving Calculator
Enter your donation amount and federal tax rate to determine your tax savings.
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.
Getting Your Will Right
You may need legal help with your will in order to have things turn out the way you want.
End-of-Life Counseling: Why It Really Matters
Experts say "death panel" debate demonizes tough but essential conversations among doctors, patients and families.
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.
From the Online Community
Group: Retirement Possibilities
Discuss how you envision your retirement.
Join Group
Group: Living Wills
Share ideas about how to approach family or friends about this topic.
Join Group
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Power of Attorney
The power of attorney allows you to pick someone you trust to handle your affairs if you cannot do so yourself.
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.
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.
Most Popular in Estate Planning
AARP Financial Benefits
Financial Guidance in a Volatile Market
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