You might think you're fine without one or that the inevitable won't happen to you—at least, for now. But everyone needs a plan, whether you're married or single, with many assets or very few. Otherwise, what happens to your children, your hard-earned assets and even your pets could be left to state laws. Find out what you can do to prepare for whatever lies ahead.
Still not convinced? Here's what happens when you don't make
a plan. Learn more
You create a plan—we donate to charity.
Learn how
Learn how
Take care of the most important things in life with a last will
Make sure your children are protected and what's important to you is handled the way you want.
Learn more
Make sure your children are protected and what's important to you is handled the way you want.
Learn more
Pass on a lifetime's worth of assets with a living trust
Pass on the maximum amount of your earnings with minimum hassle—in private.
Learn more
Pass on the maximum amount of your earnings with minimum hassle—in private.
Learn more
Take the guesswork out of your health care with a living will
At your bedside, spare your loved ones from having to guess at what you'd want them to do.
Learn more
At your bedside, spare your loved ones from having to guess at what you'd want them to do.
Learn more
Keep your finances in your control with a power of attorney
Without one, you leave the courts to appoint someone to make decisions for you.
Learn more
Without one, you leave the courts to appoint someone to make decisions for you.
Learn more
A last will lets you:
- Designate how you want your assets divided and to whom they should go
- Specify a guardian(s) for your children
- Safeguard the financial interests of children
"It was very easy to use and inexpensive for someone who's only concern was getting, legally in writing, my wishes for who is to take care of my 4-year-old son if something happened to me before he was an adult. It felt odd to be creating a will at 32, but the peace of mind I have gained knowing that I am protecting my child is priceless."
Darla S., Arlington, TX
Darla S., Arlington, TX
During the month of August, we'll donate a portion of the proceeds from every last will, living trust, living will, power of attorney or pet protection agreement to charity. Go to Facebook to see which charities and cast your vote.
A living trust helps you:
- Avoid the probate process
- Save your beneficiaries court costs and attorneys fees
- Control what happens to your business
- Pass on your intellectual property (trademark, patent, copyright)
- Keep your business and personal affairs private
"I am a single (divorced) retiree with no children with above-modest assets. After going through a recent and very bitter legal process with my father after my stepmother died, it was imperative that I take care of this very important part of my life planning. I wanted the assurance and comfort that I could determine who would receive those assets. LegalZoom made it fast and, most importantly, easy to understand."
Arthua H., Eustis, FL
Arthua H., Eustis, FL
- Your property is distributed based on state law NOT to the people you choose
- State law and the courts determine who is in charge of managing and distributing your property
- State law and the courts decide who will be responsible for taking care of your young children if you pass away
"So glad I chose LegalZoom. When my surviving parent suddenly died without a will, most of the inheritance went to legal fees and the surviving children got next to nothing. At least I am prepared to channel my assets to whom I choose."
Michael K., Nahant, MA
Michael K., Nahant, MA
A living will helps you:
- Be in control of decisions regarding your health
- Choose who you want to make decisions for you
"My parents are 70 years old and needed not only a will but also a living will and a power of attorney. LegalZoom was a lifesaver! I had them on the phone and we had everything completed in less than hour. They received them in a about a week. My husband and I are next in line to get ours. Thank you, LegalZoom."
Nancy K., Gun Barrel City, TX
Nancy K., Gun Barrel City, TX
Also consider:
A power of attorney lets you:
- Decide who will be in charge of your finances—rather than the courts
- Make it instantly active or only under certain circumstances
"We were updating an older power of attorney and the new LegalZoom form had so much more information in it than we ever knew we should be considering. I feel very comfortable that this power of attorney will provide us the protection we need for our estate planning and the price was very affordable."
Debra D., Norfolk, VA
Debra D., Norfolk, VA
Also consider:
