The first half of this guidebook is all about preparationbefore death occurs. You can benefit from this information whether you are planning your own estate or helping a loved one make these decisions.

If you are organizing and planning your final wishes on your own, it is important that you communicate your choices to at least one other person. Your final wishes must be known and understood if they are to be properly executed.

As you move through this guidebook, remember that sound estate planning is a precious gift that each of us can and should give our loved ones. Our aim is to help you make that gift possible. With the right team supporting you, you will find that one of the most difficult periods of life can become much more manageable—and your legacy will be something loved ones and family members will remember positively for decades to come.

Many people assume that the task of planning their estate should emerge as a priority later in life—when they are in their 50s or 60s—and certainly not when they are only in their 30s and 40s. It is common for this timing to be expressed not as a choice, but as an assumption: “I never really thought about it before. After all, I’ve got plenty of time, don’t I?” If that is your mind-set let us respectfully suggest that you closely consider the following true story as a reminder that life is a precious gift and that you never know what tomorrow may bring.

Nicole and Jack were a happy, fun-loving couple who had lived together for several years and planned to get married. Both of them were in their early 30s, vibrant, in great health, with lots of friends and always on the go. Both loved their work and were dedicated to building their careers. They were enjoying life to its fullest and neither had taken any time to consider what would happ