Most people are familiar with the idea of a last will and testament as being a tool for giving away your savings when you pass. But even if you think you don’t have any assets to distribute, it is important to have a will. Even more important, everyone ought to have in place legal documents that tell people what to do (or not do) for you with respect to your health care, and legal documents explaining how and where you want to live, in the event you become unable to express yourself. See my Introduction to Agency Documents for more information about ensuring that you can maintain control over your own life, even if you lose capacity. Executing the suite of seven documents is a gift not only to yourself, but to your loved ones, removing all doubt or anxiety about your wishes, and your vision of a good life.

If talking to your family about these choices seems overwhelming, check out My Gift of Grace, a conversation game to facilitate communication for your end of life wishes.