If you believe in taking good care of your mind, body, family and finances, then estate planning is the cornerstone to protect it all. Here’s how estate planning affects each one.

Your mind is the epicenter of your health and well-being. It’s so crucial to try to live mindfully, meditate and maintain balance. Yet, worry still happens to everyone. And it stinks! Most of us worry about all sorts of things, big and small. An estate plan takes away worry about what would happen to your kids if something happened to you. It lets you know that you’ve chosen the right person to help you, should you ever need it more than ever. Peace of mind this huge is something to consider as a gift to yourself and to your family.

Your body is a machine! But what if something beyond your control happened and you were unable to communicate in the short term. A legal document executed ahead of time, and just in case, can make a world of difference. With the right person in place to make medical decisions for you if you can’t, you’re creating order out of chaos. You’ve put one person in charge, so you can avoid family disagreements and help your family make swifter decisions for the benefit of your health.

Wellness is a connection of paths: knowledge and action. -Joshua Welch

Your family is what estate planning is all about. It’s not quite as much about you. If you’re scared to make a Will or Trust because of your fears of death, then you’re not looking at the big picture. Your Will or Trust helps those you leave behind know exactly what and how you would have wanted them to distribute your things, who should be in charge, and how you wanted to be memorialized. During times of grief, having instructions from you can really make a world of difference for your family.

Your finances are very important. It’s how you and your family afford food, shelter, clothing, and hopefully some fun stuff too. By protecting them with a good estate plan, you can ensure that your assets avoid costly court processes and that the right person manages any money you leave behind for the benefit of your children, your pets, or your favorite charity. Without proper planning, your children could get a large lump sum at a young age, your pets could end up in a shelter, and your favorite cause might never get a dime. Having a plan ensures that you have control over what you leave behind.