Estate planning looks different for each individual and may be straightforward or sophisticated, depending on the size of your estate and the complexity of your final wishes. 

In the absence of an estate plan, your family may become responsible for decisions they should not have to make. It is better to make your wishes known. 

When you have a parent or other loved one who becomes incapacitated, you may consider stepping in as a matter of keeping this person safe and protected. If the person who becomes incapacitated does not have a power of attorney or a designation of a patient advocate in place, you may think about trying to establish a guardianship.  

A guardian oversees the needs of an incapacitated adult. Because guardianships take some rights away from individuals who lack capacity, you want to make sure the guardianship is necessary before moving forward with requesting one.