October Is Estate Planning Month: Building the Essential Directives That Protect You and Your Loved Ones
Welcome to Week 2 of our Estate Planning Month series!
If you joined us last week, we covered the foundations of estate planning — wills and trusts — the documents that form the backbone of your legacy. This week, we’re diving into the Building Blocks: the directives.
Estate planning isn’t just about managing your belongings or dividing assets. It’s about providing clear guidance so your loved ones never have to guess what you would’ve wanted. Directives are where that clarity happens.
They’re the practical, compassionate documents that make sure your wishes are known — and honored — when you’re not able to speak for yourself.
Power of Attorney: Your Financial Sidekick
A Power of Attorney (POA) is one of the most important documents in your estate plan. It allows you to appoint a trusted person — often a spouse, family member, or close friend — to handle your financial affairs if you’re ever unable to.
Think of your POA as your financial sidekick. They can step in to pay bills, manage investments, or handle property matters while you recover from an illness, travel abroad, or navigate any unexpected event.
Without a POA, your loved ones might have to go through complicated court processes just to access your accounts or cover essential expenses on your behalf. Creating one now ensures everything runs smoothly when life throws a curveball.
To learn more about how a Power of Attorney fits into your full plan, check out What You Need to Know About Setting Up a Will, Trust, and Estate Plan.
Healthcare Directive: Your Medical GPS
Medical decisions can be some of the hardest choices a family ever faces — especially in moments of crisis. That’s where a Healthcare Directive (sometimes called a Living Will or Medical Directive) comes in.
Think of it as your medical GPS. You set the directions, so your loved ones never have to guess the route. In this document, you outline your preferences for medical care — from treatments you want or wish to avoid, to who you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
Creating a Healthcare Directive not only protects your autonomy but also relieves your family from having to make painful choices without guidance. It’s one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give them.
Pet Directive: Unleashed
We love our pets like family — because they are. But most people never think to include them in their estate plan.
A Pet Directive ensures your furry (or scaly) companion is cared for exactly as you would want. It lets you specify:
Who should take guardianship of your pet
Feeding schedules, medical needs, or favorite routines
Emergency contacts and veterinarian details
Without a plan, pets can end up in shelters — even temporarily — while families figure things out. A Pet Directive guarantees your companion gets the love and stability they deserve, no matter what.
Please note, a Pet Directive is a complement to your foundational legal estate planning documents (will or trust). It is in your will or trust that you can make legal decisions regarding guardianship.
Funeral Directive: Your Parting Wishes
No one likes to think about funerals — but having a plan in place makes a world of difference for the people you leave behind.
A Funeral Directive lets you record exactly what you’d like when the time comes. Maybe it’s a playlist, a poem, a location, or a simple “keep it light and joyful” message.
By outlining your preferences, you spare your loved ones from stressful, emotional decision-making during a difficult time. They can focus on celebrating your life instead of guessing your wishes.
Why These Documents Matter
Each directive plays a unique role in rounding out your estate plan. Together, they ensure your financial, medical, emotional, and personal decisions are all guided by one voice: yours.
And the best part? Creating these documents doesn’t take long. You can do it from any device, save your drafts, and make updates whenever life changes — new home, new family member, new goals. Estate planning isn’t about getting it “perfect” the first time. It’s about getting started.
Take the Next Step
This week, carve out some time to complete your directives. Make it simple — grab your favorite drink, put on your go-to playlist, and open your GoodTrust dashboard.
These “Building Blocks” may feel small, but together, they form the structure that protects your loved ones from uncertainty and stress.
👉 Start your directives today with GoodTrust
And don’t forget: next week, we’ll be covering one of the key elements that makes your plan truly modern — your Digital Vault and how to protect your online life.