•   Last Will and Testament

         When most people think about estate planning, the first thing they think about is their last will & testament. Commonly referred to as           simply a “will”, this document allows you to express your final wishes in terms of distributing your assets, appointing a guardian for             any minor children you leave behind, as well as the task of naming the executor to manage your final affairs and execute your will.             While your will is indeed a fundamental cornerstone of any estate plan and can even constitute someone’s entire estate plan in very           simple, straightforward situations, a comprehensive estate planning strategy will often consist of much more than just a will.
    •   Trust documents (note: should only be created with the assistance of an attorney and financial planner)

        A trust is a powerful tool that offers greater flexibility and control over your assets while you remain alive and even beyond the end of          your lifetime. A trust is a powerful instrument that exists at the intersection of law and finance, and it allows the seamless transfer of          assets according to your exact criteria. A trust can hold several different types of assets and can be used to distribute assets over              time. For example, assets could be distributed annually until depleted or only when certain criteria are met, such as a beneficiary              graduating high school. By having trusts in place, your estate can avoid probate, distribute your assets exactly where you want them          and on the fastest possible timeline. Much like a will has a named executor, you will also name a trustee to carry out the terms of                your trust and distribute assets to your beneficiaries.
    •   Advanced Medical Care Directive 

        Not every part of an estate plan is all about money and assets, however. A special legal tool called an Advance Care Directive can            also be part of your estate plan. This allows you to pre-make legally binding decisions about your own health care, including end-of-          life healthcare and care when you are incapacitated. Rather than planning out specific decisions for every possible contingency, this          tool also allows you to name a trusted party, such as a spouse or family doctor, to make healthcare decisions on your behalf in                  accordance with your overall wishes. This can also address things like organ donation and other end-of-life issues that you do not              want your loved ones to be burdened with deciding. An advance healthcare directive is sometimes known as a healthcare proxy and          is quite similar in function and purpose to a medical power of attorney.
    •   Powers of Attorney

        A power of attorney is a powerful document that can be used for a variety of purposes. When we are looking at comprehensive                  estate planning, we often run into a version called Financial Power of Attorney. This is a document that allows you to grant a trusted          individual, known as your agent or attorney-in-fact, the full authority to manage your financial affairs in the event that you become              incapacitated and cannot handle your own business. A power of attorney can be highly customized so that you only hand over                    control of specific assets in certain circumstances. You can also use multiple powers of attorney. For example, you might assign a              business partner to handle your commercial interests while assigning a family member authority over the household taxes and bills.