Wills are often associated with the process that occurs after a person passes. Many people are not aware that they can create a will that dictates what happens before their final day. Living wills, sometimes called Advance Health Care Directives, help you plan for your own care.

Have you ever known someone who was unable to manage his or her own affairs due to illness or incapacitation? If so, this person would have benefited from a power of attorney. This estate planning tool can help people protect their personal business affairs when they are unable to do so.

If you are familiar with estate law at all, you have probably heard of probate. The overall process is a court-supervised ordeal. The court oversees the itemization and distribution of a decedent's assets to his or her intended heirs.