1. Everyone has at least one person they care deeply about . It could be your spouse, child, friend, whomever. That person is probably the one who will be by your bedside when you get sick or be left to handle any unfinished business you leave behind when you die. Having even a basic plan in place of what you want done with your things gives the people you love very good directions during very bad times. Leaving a plan for your loved ones also helps the grief process because it eliminates uncertainty with what to do now that you are gone.
2. Planning forces you to think through your assets . Consciously thinking through your estate and what to do with it can be a very freeing experience. It may cause you to appreciate all the hard work you have done to build a legacy for your family. It can also motivate you to fill in some gaps that may leave you exposed (have you called your life insurance guy lately?).
3. Planning forces you to think through your mortality . Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes – James 4:14. People – Americans especially – think that death is optional, but it’s not. At some point, any point really, we could meet our demise. I know, I know, it’s an uncomfortable topic, but not talking about it is the worst thing we can do. Planning gives you control over the conversation because it allows you to address issues of your mortality with your family and friends while you still can. The saddest clients I have are the ones whose loved one died with no plan in place whatsoever because now they have to make uninformed decisions in the midst of their grief.

Everyone.