There are five key documents that you should have prepared in advance of your death.
A will is a legal document that identifies your assets and how they should be distributed after death.
A power of attorney is a legal document that appoints another person to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
Life insurance protects your family from financial hardship in the event of your death.
Legacies are gifts made to beneficiaries on your death and should be documented in your will.
A trust can be used to protect your assets from creditors, family members, or others who might try to fight over them after you die. You may want to create one if it's been many years since you last updated one, or if there are other people who are entitled to inherit some of your property but don't know about it yet.