Estate Planning Roadmap: Planning for Yourself with Care

Oct 7

Phase 1: Groundwork – Getting Oriented

Estate planning can feel overwhelming, but starting small makes it manageable. This first step is about understanding what matters to you.

Reflect on values and wishes
- Who do you want to protect?
- What legacy do you want to leave?
- What stories, memories, or keepsakes matter most?
Gather basic information
- List your assets (home, savings, retirement accounts, life insurance, personal belongings).
- List your debts (mortgage, loans, credit cards).
- Note family details (spouse, children, guardianship needs, special care considerations).

✨ Sandy’s Pro Tip: Writing things down brings peace. Even a messy notebook list is a start.

These are the foundation of estate planning.

Will
- Outlines who inherits your property, money, and belongings.
- Names guardians for minor children.
- Appoints an executor to carry out your wishes.
Trust (optional, but powerful)
- Holds your assets during life and after.
- Helps avoid probate and offers privacy.
- Can set conditions for inheritance (for children or loved ones).
Advance Directive / Living Will
- Shares your wishes for medical treatment if you cannot speak for yourself.
Healthcare Proxy / Power of Attorney
- Names someone to make medical or financial decisions on your behalf if needed.

✨ Sandy’s Pro Tip: These documents are not about expecting the worst, they’re about caring for your people.

Estate planning is not just paperwork — it’s making sure your money and accounts align with your wishes.

Review beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, and bank accounts.
Consider life insurance if you want to provide ongoing support for your family.
Organize financial records so your executor or loved ones can find them easily.
Think about taxes — some trusts can help minimize them.

These are often the hardest but most meaningful steps.

Funeral and memorial preferences: burial vs cremation, type of service, music, readings, etc.
Letters or legacy notes: messages to children, friends, or loved ones.
Keepsake planning: who should receive family heirlooms, photos, or special belongings.
Digital legacy: decide what happens to your social media, email, and digital accounts.

✨ Sandy’s Pro Tip: Sometimes the smallest details — a recipe card, a watch, a quilt — carry the deepest meaning.

Documents and wishes do not help if no one can find them.

Store documents safely (fireproof box, attorney’s office, or digital vault like Everplans).
Tell your loved ones where your documents are and who to contact.
Share passwords and account access securely.

Life changes — your estate plan should too.

Revisit your plan every 2–3 years.
Update after major life events: marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, home purchase, relocation.

Estate planning can feel lonely, but you do not have to do it alone.

Talk with loved ones about your choices.
Seek professional help from estate attorneys or financial planners.
Connect with communities like Sandy’s Porch, where you can share stories, find tools, and feel supported.

✨ Sandy’s Pro Tip: Planning is not just legal, it’s emotional. Sitting with others who understand makes the journey lighter.