Think of estate planning as doing a favor for your family. These sites explain why you need a will, and why that's just the beginning of the paperwork required for entering into the hereafter.
Why plan? A mutual fund giant, the Vanguard Group, gives reasons for planning what becomes of your stuff after you die. Among them: to provide for loved ones; to support a favorite charity; to minimize taxes and expenses, and to set expectations for your survivors, so they don't have to argue about money over your dead body.
Bet on it. "There is a 100 percent chance you will die," notes the introduction to this page at the Motley Fool investing site. There's a short outline of the most critical to-do items, including a will, a living will, and a durable power of attorney, allowing a person you select to make decisions for you if you are incapacitated. A link down the page offers advice on "how you can plan your estate in 60 seconds."
