The statistics are rather alarming. In 2005, 50 percent of Americans had a will; today, only 32 percent of us have one. Meanwhile, only one in three Americans over the age of 55 has a durable power of attorney, and a mere 41 percent of this same demographic has advance health care directives.

Why is this? According to statistics culled from a range of sources, Americans lack estate plansfor the following reasons:

• 47 percent say “they haven’t gotten around to it”
• 29 percent think they “don’t have enough assets to leave to anyone”
• 49 percent don’t believe their assets are worth enough to worry about estate planning

Other common explanations include being too busy, thinking estate planning is only for “old” people, and not wanting to think about the inevitability of death.

In truth, proper estate planning isn’t just about what happens to one’s assets after death, it’s about taking control of one’s life. Everyone can benefit from having an estate plan. At the very
least, your plan should include all of the following documents:

• LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
  A last will and testament allows you to accomplish a number of important goals. You can name your beneficiaries and specify the assets you want them to receive; name a guardian for your minor children; and choose the person you want to settle your estate (known as the Executor).
• POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE
  Also known as a health care proxy, this important legal document allows you to name a person you trust to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to make them on your own.
• POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR FINANCES
  A power of attorney for finances is similar in concept to a power of attorney for health care. It allows you to designate another person to make decisions about your finances, such as income, assets, and investments, when you can longer make them yourself.
• DECLARATION OF A DESIRE FOR A NATURAL DEATH
  This allows you to express your wishes regarding what medical treatments you want, or do not want, in an end-of-life situation. A living will differs from a power of attorney for health care in that it details your specific wishes, whereas a power of attorney for health care allows someone else to make health care decisions for you.
• HIPAA RELEASE
  A HIPPA release lets you choose who can receive information about your medical condition. Hospitals and medical providers can be prosecuted for violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) if they reveal your medical information to people not named in your HIPPA Release.

Estate planning can help you accomplish many other goals as well. For example, trusts can protect your privacy and enable your estate to avoid the delays and frustration of probate. Trusts can also stipulate when and under what conditions your heirs will receive their assets, which is helpful if you think your children are not mature enough to manage an inheritance. An irrevocable trust can protect your assets against threats like long-term care costs, divorce,
creditors, lawsuits, and more.

As you can see, proper planning allows you to seize complete control of your affairs while you are alive and after you pass away.