Estate planning is about how you want your estate — the money and savings you worked hard for — distributed after your death. It is about making sure that the people and causes you care about receive what you want to give them.

Some people think estate planning is only for the rich. Actually, estate planning benefits everyone.

If you have young or disabled children, or elderly parents who rely on you financially, you want to make sure their lives are not disrupted, and they are provided for even when you’re not around.

Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to be rich to plan your estate

• Planning your estate before anything happens makes it easier when something does

• Delay in planning means a delay in the transfer of the estate to loved ones

• Without a will, your estate may not be distributed according to your wishes