American Heart Month: Why Estate Planning Is Part of a Healthy Future
You already know the basics of keeping your heart healthy—eat well, exercise, manage stress. But have you ever thought about estate planning as part of that equation?
It’s easy to assume that heart health and legal planning have nothing in common. But both entail taking proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the unexpected. A heart attack can happen suddenly, and if it does, you don’t want your family scrambling to figure out your medical care, finances, or long-term wishes. Just like a strong heart keeps your body going, a solid estate plan keeps your life running smoothly—even when you can’t.
Why Estate Planning Is Preventive Care for Your Future
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., but many heart-related deaths are preventable with the right care and lifestyle choices. The same is true for the chaos that can follow a sudden medical crisis—it can be prevented with the right legal planning.
Think of estate planning as preventive care for your future. It’s not just something you do at the end of life. Put it in place now so the legal and financial aspects of your life don’t spiral out of control if a health crisis occurs.
Imagine you have a heart attack tomorrow. What happens next?
- Will doctors know what treatments you want? If you haven’t outlined your medical preferences, your family may be left guessing—or even arguing—about what’s best.
- Who will pay your bills while you recover? If no one has legal authority to step in, accounts can go into default, and financial strain can build.
- What happens if you can’t return to work right away? Without a plan, you or your loved ones may struggle to access the assets needed to keep your household running.
- Will your family be taken care of? If the worst happens, an outdated or nonexistent estate plan could lead to legal battles over your assets.
You wouldn’t ignore high blood pressure until it leads to a heart attack. In the same way, don’t wait until a crisis strikes to get your legal affairs in order.
Heart Disease Can Change Your Life in an Instant—Planning Helps You Stay in Control
One of the hardest realities of heart disease is how quickly it can change everything. A sudden heart attack or stroke can leave even the healthiest person unable to make decisions for weeks or months. During that time, who will make decisions for you?
For many people, the answer is, “I don’t know.”
That’s why estate planning isn’t just about what happens when you die. It ensures you have control over what happens while you’re still alive, even if you can’t speak for yourself. Like heart disease, legal issues don’t wait for a convenient time to strike.
A good estate plan ensures:
- Your medical care reflects your true wishes.
- Your financial obligations are handled, so recovery doesn’t become a financial disaster.
- Your loved ones won’t navigate legal red tape while they’re already dealing with stress and uncertainty.
It’s not just about avoiding worst-case scenarios. It’s about giving yourself peace of mind—the same way you feel when you’re taking care of your health and know you’re doing everything you can to protect your future.
Take Control of Your Health and Your Legacy
You wouldn’t wait for a heart attack to think about your health, so don’t wait for a crisis to think about your legal and financial future. Estate planning is about more than just assets—it’s about peace of mind, security, and protecting the people you care about.
This American Heart Month, take a moment to think beyond diet and exercise. Consider how a well-prepared estate plan can offer the same kind of protection for your loved ones that a healthy lifestyle offers your heart. At the Center for Estate Planning, a Maddin Hauser practice group, our deep understanding of the law, coupled with our commitment to you, equips us to guide you through this complex landscape. Don’t navigate these waters alone—contact us today.