When beginning any type of planning, you usually start with some preliminary questions. Estate planning is no different. When you begin the process, your estate planning attorney will likely ask about your family members, the accounts and property you own, and whom you want to include in your estate plan. As you dive deeper into the process, you will need to think about how you envision things unfolding after you have passed away. Aside from your money and property, are there other things you want to leave your loved ones? Any inspiring words or values that you hope they heed? The following questions can help you think about what matters most to you and what you want your loved ones to receive through your estate plan in addition to money and property.

If you recently married or have been married for a while and have acquired additional money or property (or plan to), you have options regarding how your assets can be owned. Although joint ownership seems easy and convenient, it may not always work as well as you think it should, depending on the circumstances.

Getting married is a special time in your life; you may have a beautiful wedding, a fun reception (with a delicious cake and special gifts), and a romantic honeymoon. It is also the right time for you and your new spouse to plan for your future—for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.

Being an adult comes with freedom and responsibility. You can now make important decisions on your own without consulting your parents or guardians. While this may feel incredibly liberating, it is not without some scary moments. As an adult, you are in charge of yourself. If you cannot act on your own behalf, there is no one who can automatically step in for you—not even your parents or guardians. You need to legally appoint decision-makers for your medical, legal, and financial matters. As you embark on adulthood, address these two important questions to ensure that you are protected if you need someone to step in for you.

The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was enacted to provide guidelines to the healthcare industry for protecting patient information and preserving privacy. This is usually a nonissue for minors because parents, as legal guardians, generally have access to their children’s medical information, make most of their medical decisions, and pay the expenses.