Talking to your parents about estate planning can feel a little awkward. No one particularly wants to sit down over Sunday lunch and ask, “So, what happens when you die?”

But that’s also exactly why these conversations are worth having while everyone is healthy.

When a medical emergency, cognitive decline, or death has already occurred, families can suddenly find themselves trying to answer important questions under enormous pressure. Who should make medical decisions? Where are the important documents? What did Mom actually want? Who is supposed to handle everything?

Having these conversations earlier gives everyone something much more valuable than a perfect plan: clarity.

And you don't need to cover everything at once. As we’ve shared before, there are plenty of ways to start the estate planning conversation with your family. Here are five particularly important conversations to have with your parents while there’s plenty of time to talk.

1. “What would you want if you couldn’t make your own healthcare decisions?”

This can be one of the hardest questions to ask, but it can also be one of the most valuable.

If your parent became seriously ill or injured and couldn't communicate, would you know what kind of medical care they would want? Just as importantly, do you know who they would want making those decisions?

An Advance Health Care Directive can help document healthcare preferences and designate someone to make medical decisions when a person is unable to make or communicate those decisions themselves.

But don't make the conversation solely about paperwork. Ask your parents what matters to them. What does quality of life mean to them? Are there particular wishes they feel strongly about? Who do they trust to advocate for those wishes?

Knowing the answers ahead of time can make an incredibly difficult moment a little clearer.

2. “Who would you want to handle things if you needed help?”

Healthcare isn't the only area where someone may need to step in.

If your parent were temporarily or permanently unable to manage their affairs, who would they trust to pay bills, handle certain financial matters, or take care of other important responsibilities?

A Financial Power of Attorney can allow someone to designate a trusted person to handle certain financial and legal matters on their behalf.

This is also a good opportunity to talk about whether the people named in your parents' documents still make sense. Someone they chose ten years ago may no longer be the person they would choose today.

The goal isn't for you to decide who should take on these roles. It's to make sure your parents have thought about who they trust—and documented those choices appropriately.

3. “Where is everything?”

Imagine knowing your parents have an estate plan but having absolutely no idea where it is.

Now imagine trying to find it during an emergency.

Ask your parents where they keep their will or trust, insurance information, property records, financial information, healthcare documents, and other important records. You don't necessarily need copies of everything or access to every account today. You simply need to know that the right people can find what they need when the time comes.

The same goes for digital information. Important records, subscriptions, photos, financial accounts, and other parts of our lives increasingly exist online.

A secure Digital Vault can help keep important information organized and accessible to the people your parents choose.

4. “What do you want to happen to the things that matter to you?”

Inheritance conversations can quickly become conversations about money. But a legacy is much bigger than an account balance.

Ask your parents what they want to happen to their home, personal belongings, family heirlooms, photographs, or other meaningful possessions. There may be items with little financial value that carry enormous emotional significance.

This conversation can also uncover assumptions no one realized they were making. Maybe everyone assumes one sibling wants Grandma's ring, when another has always felt deeply connected to it. Maybe your parents have very specific wishes they've simply never mentioned.

A will or trust can help document how assets should be handled, but talking about those decisions can give family members context that a legal document alone can't always provide.

5. “What do you want us to know?”

Not every important part of an estate plan fits neatly into a financial or legal category.

What kind of funeral or memorial would your parents want? Are there family traditions they hope you'll continue? Is there a story behind an heirloom everyone should know? Are there people they would want contacted? What do they hope their children and grandchildren remember?

These questions shift the conversation away from simply “what happens to your stuff?” and toward something much more meaningful: what do you want to leave behind?

Your parents' legacy may include assets, but it also includes their stories, values, relationships, traditions, and wishes.

You Don't Have to Have Every Conversation Today

Estate planning doesn't need to be one enormous family summit.

You might start with healthcare wishes one afternoon and talk about important documents months later. A story about a family heirloom might naturally lead to a conversation about a will. Completing your own estate plan might give you an easy reason to ask your parents about theirs.

What matters is creating space for these conversations before an emergency makes them necessary.

Your parents should remain in control of their own decisions, and you don't need to know every detail of their finances or estate. But knowing that a plan exists, understanding their wishes, and knowing where to find important information can make an enormous difference when your family eventually needs it.

The best legacy conversations happen while there's still plenty of time to have them.

Ready to start planning? GoodTrust can help you create and organize the documents that make your wishes clear. Every plan includes family planning, so your loved ones can make complimentary accounts to secure their legacy as well—yes that includes your parents. 

For many Americans, a home is the most valuable asset they own. It may also be the asset with the most emotional weight attached to it. It’s where your family has gathered for decades, where your children grew up, the accomplishment you’re proud to finally have paid off. 

But what actually happens to your house when you die?

The answer depends on several factors, including how you own the property, whether you have an estate plan, and what that plan includes. Your home might pass directly to another owner, go through probate before reaching your beneficiaries, or be distributed according to state law if you don't have a plan at all.

Here are some of the most common possibilities.

What Happens If Your House Is Left in a Will?

A will lets you name who you want to inherit property after your death, including your home.

However, there's an important misconception worth clearing up: having a will doesn't necessarily mean your house avoids probate.

Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's estate is administered. If your house is owned solely in your name and passes under your will, it will generally become part of your probate estate. Your executor follows the instructions in your will as the estate moves through the applicable process.

Probate requirements, timelines and costs vary considerably by state and by estate.

This is one of the key distinctions between a will and a living trust: a will provides instructions for distributing probate assets after your death, while assets properly held in a trust can generally pass outside probate.

Want a deeper comparison? Read GoodTrust's guide to wills vs. trusts.

What Happens If Your House Is in a Trust?

A revocable living trust can provide another way to plan for what happens to your home.

When a home is properly transferred into a trust, the trust becomes the legal owner of the property. As the person creating the trust, you can generally continue to live in and manage your home during your lifetime according to the terms of the trust.

You also name a successor trustee who can manage trust assets after your death or, depending on the trust terms, if you become unable to manage them yourself.

After your death, a home properly held in the trust can generally pass to the beneficiary you've named without going through probate.

There's an important detail here: simply creating a trust doesn't automatically place your house in it. The property generally needs to be legally transferred—or “funded”—into the trust.

If you're considering a trust, learn more about the benefits of setting up a trust and what you can include in your trust.

What If You Die Without a Will or Trust?

If you die without a valid will, also known as dying intestate, your house doesn't become ownerless. Instead, property that is part of your probate estate is distributed according to your state's intestacy laws. Check your state's intestacy laws at Caring.com. 

These laws establish which relatives inherit when someone dies without a will. They commonly prioritize spouses, children and other close relatives, but exactly who inherits—and how much—depends on state law instead of you.

The result may not be what you would have chosen for your family. For example, an unmarried partner, stepchild, friend or other loved one may not have the inheritance rights you assume they do.

Creating an estate plan gives you the opportunity to document your own wishes rather than relying on your state's default rules.

What Happens to the Mortgage?

A mortgage doesn't simply disappear when a homeowner dies.

How an outstanding mortgage is handled can depend on factors including the type of loan, how the property is owned, whether there are co-borrowers, and who inherits the home. The person or entity handling the estate will also need to ensure expenses such as mortgage payments, property taxes and insurance are appropriately addressed while the property is being administered.

Certain types of loans, including reverse mortgages, have additional rules and requirements.

Because mortgage terms and requirements vary, consider contacting your mortgage servicer as part of your estate planning process to understand what could happen to your loan after your death. 

Make a Plan for Your Home

Your home is too important to leave its future entirely to chance.

As part of your estate planning process, consider a few basic questions:

• Who do you want to inherit it?

• Do you want your home to pass through a will or a trust?

• If you have a trust, has the property actually been transferred into it?

• Does the person handling your estate know where to find your important documents?

The right approach will depend on your individual circumstances. Estate planning documents can help you clearly record what you want to happen, while an attorney can provide legal advice when your situation requires it.

Ready to get started—or make sure your existing plan still reflects your wishes? Create or update your estate plan with GoodTrust today.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice.

The dorm supplies are purchased. The tuition bill is paid. The meal plan is chosen. You've talked about classes, roommates, staying safe, and maybe even how often they're expected to call home.

But there's one item that probably isn't on your college checklist: making sure you can still step in if your child needs you.

Once your child turns 18, they're legally an adult. And that changes more than many families realize.

You may still pay their tuition. They may still be on your health insurance. You may even claim them as a dependent. But legally, your ability to make certain medical, financial, and legal decisions for them is no longer automatic.

That's why two simple estate planning documents deserve a place on every family's college checklist.

What changes when your child turns 18?

For nearly two decades, you've been the person who signs forms, talks to doctors, manages paperwork, and steps in when something goes wrong.

Then your child turns 18.

Suddenly, the law recognizes them as an adult with the right to make their own decisions and control access to their personal information.

That's an important part of becoming independent. But it can also create complications when a young adult needs help.

College is often the first time a child is living away from home and navigating more of life independently. They're driving, traveling, playing sports, studying abroad, managing their own money, and making their own decisions.

Most of the time, that's exactly how it should be.

But accidents and emergencies happen. Your child could be injured in a car accident, hospitalized after a fall, lose their passport while on spring break, or simply need someone to handle an urgent financial or legal matter while they're unable to do so themselves.

When that happens, being their parent doesn't necessarily give you the legal authority to step in.

Two documents every family with an adult child should know about

Fortunately, your child can choose who they want to help them if they're ever unable to manage something themselves.

Two documents make that possible: an Advance Health Care Directive and a Durable Power of Attorney.

1. Advance Health Care Directive

An Advance Health Care Directive allows your adult child to name someone they trust to make medical decisions on their behalf if they're unable to communicate or make those decisions themselves.

Depending on state law and the documents used, it can also help clarify their health care wishes and who should be involved in their care.

For a college student living hundreds or thousands of miles from home, having those decisions documented ahead of time can make an already stressful situation easier for everyone involved.

2. Durable Power of Attorney

A Durable Power of Attorney allows your child to authorize someone they trust to handle certain financial and legal matters on their behalf.

That could become useful if your child is temporarily incapacitated or otherwise unable to manage an important financial or administrative task themselves.

Your child remains in control of whom they appoint and the authority they choose to give that person.

This isn't about taking away their independence

For some parents, asking an 18-year-old to sign legal documents can feel strange. After all, isn't the whole point of this stage of life to let them become more independent?

These documents don't have to undermine that independence. In many ways, they're part of it.

Turning 18 means your child gets to decide who can act for them, rather than having those decisions made automatically because they're a minor.

Creating these documents is an opportunity to have a larger conversation about adulthood: Who do you trust? Who should be able to help you? What would you want to happen in an emergency?

Those are valuable questions whether your child is heading across the country for college, moving into their first apartment, starting a job, taking a gap year, or staying close to home.

Add legal preparedness to the college checklist

Estate planning isn't only about wills, inheritances, and what happens after someone dies.

It's also about preparing for the moments in life when someone may need another person to step in.

Turning 18 is one of those moments.

So while you're checking off the final college preparations this summer, consider adding two more items to the list:

• Create an Advance Health Care Directive

• Create a Durable Power of Attorney

They're documents you hope your family never needs to use. But if an emergency happens, having them in place can make it much easier for the people your child trusts to help when it matters most.

With GoodTrust, your family can create and securely store essential estate planning documents online, so they're there when you need them. Get started today, here.

August is Make-A-Will Month. And guess what! If you don’t own a home, have kids, or have a lot of money - you still need a will. That’s right. One of the biggest misconceptions about estate planning is people don't think they have enough assets. In fact 40% of Americans believe they simply don’t make enough money to justify creating one.

Not only are you probably underestimating the value of what you own, but a will is about a lot more than money in the bank. Think about it, some of your most prized possessions aren’t even worth anything financially. Think about it: some of your most prized possessions may not be worth much financially, but they can carry enormous sentimental value. Your family also deserves clear guidance about your wishes. For example, who should receive the family heirlooms you’ve held onto for years, or take care of your pet if something happens to you? There are many reasons why you need a will, so let’s get into them.

1. You have more possessions than you think

When you hear the word “estate,” you might picture a house, investment portfolio, or substantial savings account. But your estate is made up of the things you own—and you may be surprised by how much that includes.

Your car, laptop, phone, television, furniture, jewelry, artwork, instruments, collectibles, and other belongings all have to go somewhere. Even if you don’t consider yourself wealthy, chances are you own things with real value, both monetary and emotionally. 

There are also the things that may be less visible but are still important to account for, including financial accounts, important documents, digital accounts and devices, and other information you may keep organized in your Digital Vault.

A will gives you a say in what happens to them.

2. The most valuable possessions aren't always about money

Then there are the things that might be practically worthless to anyone else but priceless to you.

Maybe it’s your grandmother’s necklace, a box of old photographs, a collection you’ve spent years building, handwritten letters, a family recipe book, or even every birthday card you’ve refused to throw away.

These are often the possessions with the stories attached to them—and the ones you may have the strongest feelings about passing on.

Making a will allows you to think beyond what this is worth and consider who you would want to have this. 

3. Letting your family know your wishes is one of the greatest gifts you can give them

When someone dies, the people they leave behind have to handle so many costly logistical decisions.

Telling your family, “You know what I would want,” may feel sufficient now. But memories differ, assumptions get made, and disagreements can happen—especially during an emotional time.

Putting your wishes in writing gives the people you love something they desperately need in that moment: clarity. Instead of asking themselves what you would have wanted, they can focus on carrying out the decisions you've already made.

4. If you have children, you'll want to name a guardian

You might have named a godparent or told your sister that you’d want her to raise your children. Maybe your parents know the plan, or perhaps everyone in your family agrees about who would step in during an emergency.

But an informal conversation is not the same as legally documenting your wishes.

If a child loses both parents, a court ultimately determines who will serve as their legal guardian, based on the child's best interests. Naming your preferred guardian in your will gives the court formal evidence of the person you chose and is an important part of planning for your children's care.

It may be one of the most consequential decisions you make in your will.

Learn more about picking the right guardian here. 

5. Someone has to handle everything you leave behind

Think about everything involved in wrapping up the life of a loved one: locating accounts, managing property, paying outstanding bills and debts, handling paperwork, communicating with beneficiaries, and ultimately distributing assets.

This person is know as the excecutor, the one responsible for administering your estate and carrying out the instructions in your will.

Choosing that individual yourself means you can nominate someone you trust to take on the responsibility—and talk to them about it ahead of time.

6. Life changes—and your plans should be able to change with it

The person you would have trusted with everything five years ago may not be the same person you would choose today.

People get married and divorced. Children are born. Friendships change. Families grow. People buy homes, start businesses, inherit money, move across the country, and develop completely new priorities.

Creating a will doesn't mean deciding what you want today and being stuck with it forever. Your estate plan can—and should—evolve as your life does.

Make-A-Will Month can be just as useful a reminder to review an existing will as it is to create your first one. 

Learn more about when to update your estate plan here. 

7. Your pet might be able to meow or bark, but they can't share your wishes

You know exactly who your dog adores, who your cat refuses to tolerate, and who you would trust to care for them if you couldn't. 

They do too… but unfortunately, they can't bark-meow-explain any of that.

Estate planning gives you an opportunity to plan for what happens to the animals who depend on you. That can include identifying the person you would want to care for them and making appropriate financial arrangements for their future care.

Because “my best friend will take care of them” isn't much of a plan.

8. Because if you don't, you won’t get the final say

This might be the simplest reason to make a will.

When someone dies without a valid will, state intestacy laws generally determine who inherits their probate property, which means the people who receive your belongings may not necessarily be the people you would have chosen.

The law doesn't know about the friend who has effectively become family, the relative you no longer have a relationship with, the person you promised your record collection to, or the sibling who would treasure your grandmother's necklace. Those are personal decisions that only you can make.

Making a will isn't about expecting the worst. It's about making decisions while they're still yours to make.

Make this the month you make a will

A will isn’t only about dividing up a large estate. It’s a chance to decide what happens to the things—and people—that matter to you, from your car and savings to family heirlooms, sentimental keepsakes, and the person you trust to carry out your wishes. You probably have more to plan for than you think. 

Since it’s Make-A-Will month, it’s a perfect opportunity to finally complete the task you might have been putting off. 

That doesn't mean you have to spend August contemplating your mortality. Think of it as an opportunity to take inventory of the life you've already built: the people you love, the things you've accumulated, the responsibilities you've taken on, and the wishes you want respected.

Whether you have a house and three children or an apartment, a cat, and a collection of birthday cards you can't bring yourself to throw away, you have a life worth planning for.

With GoodTrust, you can create your will online and document the decisions that matter to you, so the people you love aren't left to make them for you. The month’s already underway so get started today, here.

When people think about estate planning, they often think about what happens to their money, home, and belongings after they're gone. They create a will, name beneficiaries, or put together an advance healthcare directive to make things easier for their loved ones.

But there's one important question many people never ask:

How will the funeral actually be paid for?

It's understandable. Funeral planning isn't something most people want to think about, especially when they're young and healthy. But the reality is that funerals can be one of the first major expenses families face after a loved one dies—and one of the most unexpected.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the 2023 national median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300, while a funeral with viewing and cremation cost a median of $6,280. Those figures don't include cemetery property, monuments or markers, flowers, obituary notices, or other expenses that can increase the total cost even further.

For many families, these financial decisions happen at the same time they're grieving. Within a matter of days, they may need to choose a funeral home, coordinate with relatives, schedule services, complete paperwork, and figure out how to pay for everything.

Planning ahead can't eliminate the emotional weight of losing someone. It can, however, make one part of the process much easier.

Funeral Wishes Are Only Part Of The Plan

While some people are beginning to recognize the importance of documenting their funeral wishes, there is a wide gap. Only 19.4% have pre-planned and prepaid for arrangements.

Whether you'd prefer burial or cremation, a traditional funeral or a celebration of life, religious traditions or something more personal, leaving clear instructions can remove uncertainty and prevent family members from having to guess what you would have wanted.

With GoodTrust, you can detail all of the above and much more by creating a Funeral Directive. This document allows you to be clear about your final resting place wishes as well as detail how you’d like the event to go. From music to flowers, whether you’d like your guests to give to a charity of your choice… the possibilities are endless. 

But those instructions don't answer another important question:

Who is responsible for paying for it?

Without a financial plan, loved ones may need to rely on savings, use credit cards, or wait for estate assets or life insurance proceeds before they're reimbursed. Even families with life insurance may find that funeral expenses arise long before insurance benefits are available.

Thinking about both your wishes and how those wishes will be funded creates a more complete plan.

What Is A Pre-Need Funeral Policy?

One option some people choose is a pre-need funeral policy.

Unlike traditional life insurance, which provides money to beneficiaries after someone dies, a pre-need funeral policy is designed specifically to help cover funeral expenses. These policies are generally purchased in advance and are often connected to arrangements made with a funeral provider.

Some plans are paid for over time through regular premiums. Others are available as Single Pay Policies (SPPs), allowing the purchaser to make one upfront payment instead of ongoing monthly payments.

The exact terms vary depending on the provider and the policy, so it's important to understand exactly what is included before purchasing.

Questions To Ask Before You Buy

If you're considering a pre-need funeral policy, don't be afraid to ask questions. Understanding the details now can help avoid surprises later.

Some important questions include:

• What funeral goods and services are covered?

• Are prices guaranteed, or could my family still owe additional costs?

• If I move to another city or state, can the policy be transferred?

• What happens if I change my mind or want to update my arrangements?

• What happens if the funeral home changes ownership or closes?

The answers can vary between providers, making it worthwhile to compare your options before committing to a plan.

A Complete Plan Goes Beyond Paying For A Funeral

Funding a funeral is only one piece of preparing for the future.

Your loved ones also benefit from knowing where your important documents are stored, who should be contacted, and what your final wishes are. A will determines how your assets are distributed. Advance healthcare documents communicate your medical preferences. Funeral instructions explain how you'd like to be remembered.

Together, these pieces create a more complete estate plan—one that helps reduce both financial and emotional stress during an already difficult time.

Planning for a funeral isn't about expecting the worst. It's about recognizing that one day, someone else may have to make these decisions on your behalf. Taking the time to plan ahead today can give your loved ones one less thing to worry about tomorrow.

Get started on your Funeral Directive today at GoodTrust.

Most people think updating their estate plan means revising their will or trust.

But there's one document that often gets overlooked—and in many cases, it's the one that determines where some of your largest assets actually go.

Your bank, insurance, and other financial accounts beneficiary designations are separate from your will or trust and need to reflect your wishes.

If it's been years since you last reviewed them, or you can't remember who you named, you're not alone. Yet taking just a few minutes to review your beneficiaries could save your loved ones significant stress, delays, and unintended consequences down the road.

What Is a Beneficiary Designation?

A beneficiary designation tells a financial institution who should receive a particular asset when you pass away.

These are commonly attached to:

• Life insurance policies

• 401(k)s and IRAs

• Pension plans

• Investment accounts

• Payable-on-death (POD) bank accounts

• Transfer-on-death (TOD) brokerage accounts

These assets typically pass directly to the named beneficiary regardless of what you’ve indicated in your will or trust. 

That’s The Part That Surprises Most People

Many people spend hours creating a will, assuming it controls everything they own.

It doesn't.

Beneficiary designations are separate legal instructions attached directly to specific financial accounts. Rather than passing through your will, these assets typically transfer directly to the person you've named on the account.

That means if your retirement account, life insurance policy, or payable-on-death bank account still lists an ex-spouse from years ago, updating your will alone may not change who inherits those assets. In many cases, the financial institution is legally required to follow the beneficiary designation on file.

That's why reviewing your beneficiaries is one of the simplest—and most important—parts of keeping your estate plan up to date. 

Your estate plan is only as accurate as your beneficiary designations.

When Should You Review Your Beneficiaries?

A good rule of thumb is to review your beneficiary designations every three to five years. 

You should also update them after any major life event, including:

• Marriage

• Divorce

• Birth or adoption of a child

• Death of a beneficiary

• Retirement

• Significant changes in your financial or personal situation

The same review suggestions apply to your estate plan (will, trust, healthcare directive, power of attorney, etc.) so why not bundle them? The next time you update your documents, set a reminder for when you’ll be due again. 

Even if nothing has changed, reviewing your designations regularly helps ensure they still reflect your wishes.

Common Misconceptions

By now, you know that beneficiary designations are separate from your will or trust, should be reviewed after major life events, and shouldn't be forgotten on old accounts or policies.

There are a few other mistakes people commonly make that can create unnecessary complications for their loved ones.

They Don't Name Backup Beneficiaries

What happens if your primary beneficiary passes away before you or is unable to inherit your assets?

Naming a contingent (or secondary) beneficiary provides another layer of protection and can help avoid unnecessary delays or complications.

They Don't Tell Anyone

Your loved ones can't claim benefits they don't know exist.

While you don't need to share every detail of your finances, it's a good idea to let a trusted family member, executor, or estate representative know where important accounts are held and where they can find the documents they'll need.

They Don't Secure Their Important Documents

Keeping your beneficiary designations up to date is only part of the process.

Your loved ones will still need access to your estate planning documents, financial information, healthcare directives, and other important records when the time comes.

Storing everything in one secure location—such as GoodTrust's Digital Vault—can make settling your affairs much simpler and spare your family from searching through filing cabinets, email inboxes, or forgotten online accounts during an already difficult time.

Beneficiaries Are Just One Piece of the Puzzle

Reviewing your beneficiary designations is one of the simplest ways to strengthen your estate plan, but it's only one part of protecting your legacy.

A complete estate plan may also include:

• A Last Will and Testament

• A Revocable Living Trust

• Durable Financial Power of Attorney

• Advance Healthcare Directive

• Funeral and end-of-life wishes

• A Digital Vault

The more organized your plan is today, the easier it will be for your loved ones tomorrow.

Take Five Minutes Today

Estate planning isn't just about creating documents once and forgetting about them.

Life changes.

Families grow.

Relationships evolve.

Your estate plan should evolve too.

If you can't remember the last time you reviewed your beneficiary designations, today is a great day to check. A few minutes now could help ensure your assets go exactly where you intend—and spare your family unnecessary confusion later.

Most people have a will for their home, their savings, or their personal belongings.

But what about everything that exists online?

Your photos. Your email. Your social media accounts. Your cloud storage. Your online subscriptions. Your cryptocurrency. Your digital documents. In our modern world, we all have about 100 online accounts on average. 

For many families, these digital assets become an unexpected challenge after someone dies—not because they're particularly valuable financially, but because no one knows what to do with them.

Your Digital Life Doesn't End Automatically

Many people assume that online accounts simply disappear after someone passes away. In reality, every platform has its own policies.

Some accounts remain active indefinitely. Others can be memorialized. Some may eventually be deleted after long periods of inactivity. In many cases, loved ones must navigate complicated verification processes before any action can be taken.

That means important memories can become difficult to access, while inactive accounts continue existing online for years.

Your Digital Legacy Is Bigger Than Social Media

When people think about digital legacy planning, they often think about Facebook.

But your digital footprint is much broader.

It may include:

• Family photos stored in cloud services

• Email accounts containing important records

• Online banking and investment accounts

• Subscription services that continue billing

• Loyalty points and rewards programs

• Personal websites or blogs

• Business files and intellectual property

• Cryptocurrency and digital wallets

• Password managers

• Important legal and financial documents

Without a plan, locating and managing these assets can become incredibly time-consuming for loved ones.

Every Platform Has Different Rules

One of the biggest misconceptions about digital assets is that family members automatically gain access to your online accounts after you die.

They don't.

Every platform has its own policies, timelines, and requirements—and unless you've made decisions in advance, those policies will determine what happens to your digital life.

For example:

• Facebook allows you to designate a Legacy Contact who can manage certain aspects of your memorialized account after your death. If you don't choose one, your loved ones have fewer options for managing your profile. You can also choose to have your account permanently deleted instead of memorialized.

• Apple allows you to add Legacy Contacts who can request access to much of your Apple Account and iCloud data after your death using a special access key and proof of death.

• Google offers Inactive Account Manager, which lets you decide what happens if your account goes unused for a period of time. You can choose trusted contacts to receive specific data, send a final message, or have your account automatically deleted.

• LinkedIn allows immediate family members or authorized representatives to request that a deceased member's account be closed, but there is no option to designate someone in advance to manage your account.

• Instagram, like Facebook, allows accounts to be memorialized or removed after death, but memorialized accounts cannot be managed by a family member.

These features are helpful, but they only work if you know they exist and take the time to set them up.

Even then, they only cover that one platform.

Your online banking, subscriptions, password manager, cryptocurrency, digital documents, loyalty programs, and countless other accounts all have their own policies—if they have a process at all.

Leaving each company to decide what happens to your digital life isn't much of a plan.

Digital Estate Planning Gives You Control

Instead of forcing your family to guess what you wanted—or navigate dozens of different company policies—you can make those decisions now.

A digital estate plan allows you to decide:

• Which accounts should be deleted

• Which memories should be preserved

• Who should have access to important files

• Where passwords and account information are securely stored

• How your digital assets fit into your broader estate plan

Rather than relying on each platform's individual settings, you create one centralized plan that makes your wishes clear.

The GoodTrust Digital Vault makes it easy to add online accounts alongside what you’d like to happen with them and designate trusted contacts with whom to share that valuable information with. 

Make Life Easier For The People You Love

The best estate plans don't just distribute assets—they reduce stress.

When families lose someone, they're already navigating grief, funeral arrangements, financial responsibilities, and legal paperwork. Spending weeks trying to recover family photos, cancel subscriptions, locate passwords, or contact dozens of technology companies only adds to that burden.

A simple digital legacy plan can spare loved ones countless hours of frustration while helping preserve the memories that matter most.

Your Legacy Lives Online Too

Today, some of our most meaningful memories exist only in digital form.

The photos your family treasures.

The messages you've saved.

The documents you've spent years creating.

The stories you've shared.

Estate planning isn't just about protecting what you own—it's about protecting your entire legacy.

Don't leave Facebook, Google, Apple, or any other technology company to decide what happens after you're gone.

Make those decisions yourself, and give your loved ones one less thing to worry about.

Get started with your GoodTrust Digital Vault today, here.

The Great Wealth Transfer Is Coming. Here's Why So Much Wealth Never Reaches The Next Generation.

Over the next two decades, experts estimate that more than $80 trillion will change hands as Baby Boomers pass wealth to their children and grandchildren. It's being called The Great Wealth Transfer, one of the largest transfers of wealth in history.

It sounds simple enough: parents save, children inherit.

But for many families, that's not what happens.

Before an inheritance ever reaches the next generation, it can be reduced—or even derailed—by medical expenses, probate, taxes, legal fees, family disagreements, and one surprisingly common problem: not having an estate plan.

The wealth exists.

The plan to protect it often doesn't.

Long-Term Care Can Quietly Drain An Estate

Many people underestimate the cost of aging.

Whether it's assisted living, nursing home care, or in-home support, long-term care can cost thousands of dollars each month. Families often spend years using savings, retirement accounts, and even selling property to cover expenses.

Without planning ahead, assets that were intended to become a legacy may instead be used simply to pay for care.

Probate Takes More Than Time

Many people assume that after someone dies, their assets simply pass to their family.

Unfortunately, it isn't always that straightforward.

When assets must go through probate, the process can take months—or even longer depending on the complexity of the estate. During that time, legal fees and court costs may reduce what beneficiaries ultimately receive.

While probate laws vary by state, thoughtful estate planning can often help simplify the process and reduce unnecessary delays.

Family Conflict Can Be Surprisingly Expensive

Money rarely causes conflict on its own.

Uncertainty does.

When wishes aren't clearly documented, loved ones are often left making difficult decisions during one of the hardest moments of their lives.

Who receives the family home?

Who should manage finances?

Who makes healthcare decisions?

Even close families can find themselves disagreeing when there isn't a clear plan to follow.

An estate plan doesn't eliminate grief—but it can eliminate many of the questions that create unnecessary conflict.

Outdated Plans Can Be Just As Risky

Having an estate plan is important.

Keeping it updated is just as important.

Major life events—marriage, divorce, children, grandchildren, moving to another state, buying a home, or losing a loved one—can all change what your plan should look like.

Beneficiary designations deserve special attention as well. Retirement accounts and life insurance policies typically pass according to the named beneficiary, even if your will says something different.

Reviewing your plan every few years can help ensure it still reflects your wishes.

The Greatest Wealth You Leave Is Clarity

When people think about estate planning, they often think about money.

But what families remember most is clarity.

Knowing where important documents are stored.

Understanding your wishes.

Having someone legally authorized to act if you're unable to.

Reducing confusion during an already difficult time.

The Great Wealth Transfer isn't just about passing down wealth.

It's about making sure the people you love can actually receive it.

Planning today can help preserve not only your financial legacy, but your family's peace of mind tomorrow.

Protect what you've worked so hard to build. Create or update your estate plan with GoodTrust and help ensure your legacy reaches the people you love—not unnecessary delays, expenses, or uncertainty. Get started today, here.

She remembers the first time she realized the roles had changed.

It wasn't a dramatic moment.

There was no emergency room visit. No diagnosis. No life-altering phone call.

It was something small.

Her mother asked her to help pay a bill online.

Then came the doctor's appointments.

The insurance paperwork.

The prescription refills.

The endless questions.

Before long, she wasn't just a daughter anymore.

She was a caregiver.

And she's not alone.

Today, nearly 1 in 4 adults in the United States provides care for a loved one. Women shoulder the majority of that responsibility, making up roughly 60% of family caregivers. While caregiving can be one of the most meaningful acts of love a person can provide, it often comes with a hidden cost few people talk about.

For many women, that cost can reach nearly $300,000 in lost wages, retirement savings, and benefits over the course of their lifetime.

That's not just a caregiving crisis.

It's a financial one.

The Hidden Cost Of Being The Responsible Daughter

Every family seems to have one. The daughter who organizes the appointments, keeps track of medications, remembers birthdays, follows up with doctors, handles paperwork, and makes sure everyone is okay.

When aging parents begin to need help, that same daughter often becomes the default caregiver. Not because she volunteered. Not because she has more time. Because everyone assumes she'll do it.

At first, the responsibilities can feel manageable: a few extra phone calls, a ride to an appointment, help with technology. 

Then something changes: a fall, a diagnosis, a hospital stay.

Suddenly, caregiving becomes a second job.

And unlike most jobs, it often comes without pay, benefits, or time off.

The Retirement Crisis Nobody Talks About

Much has been written about retirement readiness.

Far less attention has been paid to the people sacrificing their own retirement security while caring for someone else's.

Many caregivers reduce work hours or turn down promotions.

Some leave the workforce entirely.

Others continue working while taking on caregiving responsibilities that consume evenings, weekends, and nearly every free moment in between.

Over time, the impact compounds: missed contributions to retirement accounts, ‘ost employer matches, reduced lifetime earnings, delayed career growth.

The financial consequences often continue long after the caregiving responsibilities end.

What makes this particularly challenging is that many caregivers don't regret helping.

They love the people they're caring for.

They would do it again.

What they wish is that they hadn't needed to sacrifice so much of their own future in the process.

When Love Becomes A Logistics Problem

Caregiving is often portrayed as an emotional challenge.

And it is. But it is also a logistical one. Who can access financial accounts? Who can make healthcare decisions? Where are the important documents? What happens if a parent becomes incapacitated? What are their wishes?

When families haven't discussed these questions ahead of time, crises become more complicated.

Adult children are forced to make difficult decisions with limited information.

Family members disagree.

Stress increases.

Relationships suffer.

Many of the most painful caregiving situations aren't caused by a lack of love.

They're caused by a lack of preparation.

The Kindest Thing Parents Can Do

Most parents want to make life easier for their children. Many assume that means leaving behind money. While financial support can certainly help, there is another gift that may be just as valuable: a plan.

Having key documents in place, making wishes known, reviewing beneficiary designations, choosing trusted decision-makers, and organizing important information so loved ones can access it when they need it most can make an enormous difference during a crisis. These steps won't eliminate the challenges that come with aging, illness, or caregiving, but they can provide clarity during moments that are often filled with uncertainty. When families know where things are, understand what their loved one wanted, and have the legal authority to act when needed, they can spend less time navigating logistics and more time focusing on each other.

Protecting The Next Generation Of Caregivers

As Americans live longer, more families will find themselves navigating caregiving responsibilities.

Many of today's caregivers are simultaneously supporting children, managing careers, and helping aging parents.

They are often referred to as the sandwich generation.

But behind that label are real people making real sacrifices every day.

The responsible daughter.

The son who moved home.

The spouse balancing work and caregiving.

The family member quietly carrying more than anyone realizes.

Caregiving will always require love, patience, and commitment.

It shouldn't also require sacrificing an entire financial future.

The most loving thing you can do for your family isn't simply leaving them money. It's creating a plan that helps protect them from carrying a burden that was never meant to be theirs alone. So create your plan today, here.

Most people understand why they need a will. Fewer realize that a will only takes effect after death.

But what happens if you're still alive and unable to manage your own affairs?

An accident. A serious illness. A stroke. A medical emergency. Even a temporary period of incapacity can leave your loved ones scrambling to manage your finances, pay bills, and make important decisions on your behalf.

Without a Power of Attorney (POA), they may not be able to.

Estate Planning While You’re Alive

A common misconception is that estate planning is only about what happens after death.

In reality, some of the most important estate planning documents are designed to protect you while you're still living.

A Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage financial and legal matters on your behalf if you're unable to do so yourself.

Depending on the powers granted, that person may be able to:

• Pay bills

• Access bank accounts

• Manage investments

• Handle insurance matters

• Sign legal documents

• Manage real estate transactions

• Communicate with financial institutions

Without a valid POA in place, even close family members may lack the authority to act.

Imagine This Scenario

You are hospitalized unexpectedly and unable to communicate for several weeks and either of the following apply: 

• Your mortgage payment is due

• Your rent needs to be paid

• Your insurance company needs paperwork

• A tax deadline is approaching.

Your spouse, adult child, or partner knows exactly what needs to be done—but when they contact the bank, they discover they have no legal authority to access your accounts or make decisions on your behalf.

The problem isn't that your family doesn't want to help.

It's that they may not have the legal authority to do so.

What Happens Next?

Without a Power of Attorney, your loved ones may need to petition a court for the authority to manage your affairs.

Depending on where you live, this process may involve:

• Court filings

• Legal fees

• Waiting periods

• Ongoing reporting requirements

• Judicial oversight

The process can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive—especially during an already difficult period.

And while every situation is different, the result is often the same: delays at a time when quick action matters most.

A Power of Attorney Is About More Than Money

While financial management is often the primary focus, a POA is really about continuity. Life doesn't stop because you're temporarily unable to manage it, bills continue to arrive, deadlines continue to pass, and responsibilities continue to exist.

A Power of Attorney can help ensure someone you trust is able to  step in and keep things moving even if you cannot for a while. 

The Missing Piece: Knowing What Exists

Even with a Power of Attorney, your chosen agent can only manage the accounts, policies, and assets they know about.

That's why many families discover a second challenge during emergencies: finding information:

• Where are the important documents?

• Which bank accounts are active?

• Who are the financial advisors, attorneys, and insurance providers?

• What subscriptions, loans, or recurring payments exist?

A Power of Attorney provides authority. Organization provides access. With the GoodTrust Digital Vault, you can organize all of your important documents and provide access to your trusted contacts so they may find them in a time of need. 

Having the right documents in place and organizing them properly can make an enormous difference during a crisis. Learn more about the value of making your documents accessible by reading our article: A Strong Estate Plan Starts with Documents—But It Doesn’t End There. 

Preparing Before It's Needed

Of course, no one plans to become incapacitated. But it can be more likely than we realize.

Creating a Power of Attorney and organizing important financial information ahead of time can help ensure your loved ones aren't forced to navigate unnecessary legal hurdles during an already stressful moment.

Estate planning isn't only about what happens after you're gone. It’s about helping your loved ones every step of the way, because if anything happens to you, you don’t want them scrambling, you want them to know exactly what to do to mitigate the existing emotional stress. 

Create and organize your estate plan today with GoodTrust, here. 

When you think of estate planning, you probably think of wills and trusts, first. Maybe you also think of power of attorneys and medical directives. And that’s a great start, but thinking about your estate plan holistically, how all the pieces fit together to make the whole process as easy as possible for your family is the right next step. Whether you’re planning for the first time, already have documents in place, or helping your parents get organized, you can benefit from taking your estate plan beyond a stack of papers and into an organized system.

What does it mean to build a system?

A system makes your estate plan clear, accessible, and actionable.

It ensures that:

• Your documents are valid

• Your information is organized

• The right people know where to find everything

• Nothing gets lost, overlooked, or locked away

Without a system, even the most carefully prepared estate plan can create confusion. Documents might exist—but no one knows where they are, whether they’re up to date, or how to use them when it matters most.

With a system, everything works together.

Step 1: Create your core estate planning documents

Start with the foundation.

This typically includes:

• A will or trust

• A power of attorney

• A health care directive

It can also include: 

• A pet directive 

• A funeral directive 

These documents outline your wishes and designate the people who can act on your behalf. If you already have these in place, you’re off to a strong start. If not, this is where to begin. 

Step 2: Make sure your documents are legally valid

Creating documents is one thing—making them legally enforceable is another.

Each state has specific requirements around signing, witnessing, and notarization. If these steps aren’t followed properly, your documents may not hold up when they’re needed.

To ensure everything is valid:

• Review your state’s requirements

• Complete any necessary witnessing or notarization

• Keep finalized copies of your signed documents

You can learn more about how to properly legalize your documents with our resources here:

• How to Make Your Wills & Trusts Valid in Your State

• How to Make Your Power of Attorneys & Health Care Directives Valid in Your State

This step is what transforms your plan from “intentions” into something legally actionable.

Step 3: Store everything in one secure, accessible place

Once your documents are finalized, the next question is simple:

Will anyone be able to find them?

Too often, estate planning documents end up:

• Buried in drawers

• Scattered across files

• Locked behind passwords

• Stored in places no one knows about

This is where organization becomes essential. Experts recommend storing your documents both in a safe physical location and a digital one. 

With the GoodTrust Digital Vault, you can:

• Upload and securely store your documents (you can even add instructions stating where the physical version is, for instance)

• Keep everything in one centralized location

• Add important details like accounts, contacts, and instructions

Instead of leaving behind scattered information, you’re creating a clear, structured system your family can actually navigate.

Step 4: Share access with the right people

Even the most organized system only works if the right people can access it. The GoodTrust Trusted Contacts feature makes it easy to share your documents with the right people. You can even choose when they’ll have access to them (now vs. after death, for example). 

That means:

• Choosing trusted individuals

• Giving them appropriate permissions

• Making sure they know where everything is

This doesn’t mean sharing everything with everyone. It means making sure the right people have access to the right information at the right time.

Step 5: Communicate your plan

This is the step people skip most often—and it’s one of the most important.

Let your trusted contacts know:

• That you’ve created a plan

• Where your information is stored

• What role they may play

You don’t need to go into every detail. But a simple conversation can make a significant difference when it matters most.

Bringing it all together

When you connect these steps, something shifts.

You’re no longer relying on individual documents scattered across different places. You’re creating a complete, functional system—one that supports your wishes and reduces stress for the people you care about.

Estate planning isn’t just about what you leave behind. It’s about how easy you make things for the people who have to step in.

Get started

Whether you’re just beginning or already have documents in place, building a system is the next step.

Start by organizing what you have, filling in the gaps, and bringing everything together in one place.

Because the goal isn’t just to have a plan. It’s to make sure it works when it’s needed most.

Get started or continue your plan, here. 

Women are the protectors of family, assets & legacy.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, it is time to recognize the vital role women play as the ultimate caretakers of our families, our memories, and our futures. Women are consistently at the heart of the family unit—caring for children, supporting aging parents, and managing the day-to-day well-being of their loved ones. Yet, when it comes to legally protecting their own legacy and assets, many women are leaving their family’s future to chance. A survey conducted by GoodTrust reveals a powerful truth: women are overwhelmingly the primary caretakers of both estate matters and preserving assets when someone in the family passes away. Only 12% of women report that a man takes the lead on estate matters. Women are the storytellers, the memory keepers, and the foundation of the family. Despite carrying this immense responsibility, there is a critical gap between what women know they need to do and what they have actually put in writing.

• 50% of women know they need a Last Will and Testament, yet only 29% actually have one.

• 47% believe medical directives are important, but only 26% have one in place.

• 65% admit they have no idea what happens to their digital accounts and assets when they pass away.

Why Protecting Your Legacy is an Act of Love Estate planning isn’t just about financial wealth; it is about protecting what matters most to you. It is about ensuring your children are cared for by the guardians you choose. It is about making sure your parents are supported. It is about organizing your life so that your family isn’t left navigating a stressful, complicated legal system during a time of grief. Interestingly, the GoodTrust survey found that 61% of women consider preserving photos, videos, and memories more valuable than financial assets (42%). Protecting your legacy means safeguarding everything—from your home and bank accounts to the priceless family photos and digital memories you’ve spent a lifetime creating. Celebrate International Women’s Day: 1,000 Free Estate Plans for Women At GoodTrust, we believe that empowerment starts with peace of mind. To honor International Women’s Day and help women take charge of their family’s future, GoodTrust is gifting free Estate Planning to 1,000 women in the US on March 8th 2026. This is your opportunity to secure your assets, protect your children, support your parents, and preserve your unique legacy. Don’t wait for “someday” to get your affairs in order. Give yourself and your loved ones the ultimate gift of security and clarity. Take Action Today Claim your free comprehensive GoodTrust Estate Plan (promotion code: IWD2026 at signup) and join the movement of women taking control of their legacies. Because protecting your family’s future is the most empowering thing you can do.