It’s simple – just take 10 minutes to answer a few questions on any device to share your end-of-life wishes.
Yes! And you get unlimited edits for life.
$10 (one-time)
Close to 90% of us leave our loved ones guessing our final wishes, adding stress during an already-tough time. Planning ahead, even when you’re healthy, ensures your wishes are known and eases the burden on your loved ones. It’s about preparing for the unexpected, so everyone’s a bit more at peace, no matter what the future holds.
Determining your next of kin typically depends on your family situation and normally falls in this order:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Children
- Parents
- Siblings
- Grandchildren
- Grandparents
- Aunts and uncles
- Cousins
An AD is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment if you’re unable to make decisions for yourself in the future. Medical treatments in an AD can include decisions about life support, resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, tube feeding, and pain management, among others. To file one, check with your primary care provider. It’s free.
When you pass away, your estate—everything you own, such as the money left in your bank accounts, property, and personal items—are used to settle any outstanding bills. If your estate doesn’t fully cover these debts, they’re usually forgiven, except for any co-signed debts, which normally then become the responsibility of the co-signer.
If this is a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
Here is a simple checklist to help get you started. You may need to consult with a lawyer or other family members.
- Notify family, friends, employer
- Contact a funeral home – arrange for transportation of the body
- Secure their home
- Obtain death certificates – hospital and/or local health department
- Make funeral arrangements
- Plan memorial service
- Handle legal matters – update will, handle estate
- Seek support from friends, family, or a counselor
- Practical matters – cancel subscriptions or services, handle possessions
No will?
If there’s no will, the estate typically goes through probate, where assets are distributed according to intestacy laws prioritizing spouses, children, and other relatives; however, the specific process varies by jurisdiction, so consulting with a probate attorney is advisable.
What is probate?
Probate is the legal process in which a court oversees the distribution of a deceased person’s assets and settles their debts under the supervision of a judge.