Protect your family this National Estate Planning Month with a Complete Plan, Start to Finish
Welcome to our National Estate Planning Month series, in which we'll take you through everything you need to know to create your complete estate plan with GoodTrust in one month: from creating your documents to knowing how to make them valid in your state. Let’s be honest: estate planning is one of those things that always ends up at the bottom of the to-do list. It feels complicated, stressful, and frankly, a little overwhelming. You’re not alone — most people put it off because they don’t know where to start, worry it will take too much time, or simply feel uneasy thinking about the future.
That’s why October — National Estate Planning Awareness Month — is the perfect time to take action. With the right guidance, the process is far less daunting than it seems. And the payoff is huge: peace of mind, clarity for your loved ones, and confidence that your wishes will be honored.
At GoodTrust, our document creation tools are designed to be easy and intuitive, helping you create essential estate plans quickly. But we also know that even for things as important as assigning guardians for your kids, sometimes life just gets in the way. Don’t stress, to help you check this off your to-do list we're giving you a step-by-step plan to draft, legalize, and securely store your complete estate plan in just one month.
4 Weeks to Peace of Mind
Week 1 – The Foundations: Wills & Trusts
Week 2 – The Building Blocks: POA, Healthcare Directive, Funeral Directive, Pet Directive
Week 3 – The Digital Vault: Protecting your online life
Week 4 – Make It Legal: Legalization, funding, and secure storage
Week 1: The Foundations
Wills and Trusts are the cornerstones of estate planning. Let’s answer a few common questions:
What’s the difference between a Will and a Trust?
A Will is the most familiar document. It outlines how your estate should be managed and distributed when you’re gone. It covers everything from guardianship for children to passing down family heirlooms.
A Trust goes further. By transferring assets into a Trust, you can simplify inheritances, bypass the probate process, and even reduce taxes.
Think of both as roadmaps you leave for your loved ones — so they can focus on honoring your life rather than sorting out your belongings.
What’s included in each?
A Will clarifies who gets your assets and who will care for minor children.
A Trust provides more flexibility: private distribution, age restrictions for beneficiaries, and protection of assets. With Goodtrust, your trust includes a “pour-over will” for extra coverage.
Week 2: The Building Blocks
Once the foundations are set, add in the directives that make your plan truly comprehensive.
Power of Attorney (POA): Your financial sidekick. A POA allows you to name someone to step in and manage your financial life if you can’t — paying bills, accessing accounts, even handling real estate or business decisions. This isn’t just for later in life; it’s invaluable during medical emergencies, extended travel, or any situation where you’re unavailable. Choosing the right person here means you can step back knowing everything is handled smoothly.
Healthcare Directive: Your medical GPS. This lets someone you trust make medical decisions on your behalf, guided by your preferences. Instead of leaving your loved ones guessing, you give them clarity and confidence during difficult times.
Pet Directive: Unleashed. If you have pets, a Pet Directive ensures they’re cared for exactly the way you want — from naming guardians to detailing food routines, favorite toys, or vet info.
Funeral Directive: Your parting wishes. Whether you want a specific song played, a type of service, or simply something simple and peaceful, this directive lifts a huge emotional burden from your family. They’ll know exactly how to honor your life.
Week 3: The Digital Vault
Our lives are increasingly digital — yet most estate plans ignore this entirely. Did you know that accessing the phone or laptop of a loved one who has passed away often requires a court order? That means countless photos, videos, messages, and even money can be lost forever.
With GoodTrust’s Digital Vault, you can safely store online accounts, add instructions, and designate a Trusted Contact to manage them. From social media and email to cryptocurrency and airline miles, your digital assets deserve to be passed on alongside your physical belongings. Learn more about what to include in your Digital Vault.
Week 4: Make It Legal
Here’s where everything comes together.
How do I legalize my documents?
Estate planning requirements vary by state, but don’t worry — we’ve done the research for you.
For Trusts only: How to fund it.
Creating a Trust is only step one. To activate its benefits, you’ll need to “fund” it — transferring ownership of assets into the Trust. This could mean retitling bank accounts, property deeds, or investments so the Trust is the official owner. Once that’s done, your assets flow directly through the Trust to your beneficiaries without probate delays.
How should I store my documents?
Experts recommend both digital and physical storage.
Store digital copies in your GoodTrust Digital Vault.
Keep physical copies in a safe at home or a safety deposit box.
And remember: your estate plan isn’t “set it and forget it.” Review it every 3–5 years or after major life changes (like buying a home or welcoming a new family member). So go ahead, set a reminder for your next estate plan update now.
Make It Yours
This is just an overview. Be on the lookout for more articles coming soon. We’ll be going more in depth to cover the Foundations, Building Blocks, Digital Vault, and Making It Legal all throughout this October, National Estate Planning Month.
Estate planning doesn’t have to be stressful. This October, set aside time each week to work through your plan. Put on your favorite playlist, make a cup of tea, and treat it as an act of love — a gift of clarity and peace for the people who matter most.
By the end of the month, you’ll have a complete, legalized, and securely stored estate plan. One you can feel proud of. One that truly reflects your life. That’s peace of mind.
Start your estate planning journey with GoodTrust today