An estate plan encompasses TWO basic elements, with subparts. They are:

1. Planning for life with disability. (Here, disability means mental impairment such that you are unable to manage your financial and property affairs ). This planning includes:

• A. Control of how and where you live, what you can do and other aspects which give your life quality and enjoyment.
   
• B. Protection and control of how your assets and property are to be used, and limitations on what uses of your property are prohibited.
   
• C. Control of the decisions affecting your healthcare.
   
• D. End of life decisions, including how and where you wish to die.

2. Controlling the disposition of your assets after your death.

• A. If married, and your spouse survives you, an estate plan

• 1. Protects your assets for your spouse’s use, from claims of creditors and from lawsuits, and from other persons claiming to be your beneficiaries.
   
• 2. Controls the nature and extent of distributions to other beneficiaries while your spouse is alive.

• 3. Protects your spouse and your assets from the costs and complications of Probate ( ie, avoiding the necessity of involving courts in the disposition of your estate )
   
• 4. Protects your property from possible estate tax levies.
   
• 5. Protects your heirs in event spouse remarries.

• B. If unmarried, or upon the death of the second spouse to die, your estate plan

• 1. Controls the distributions of your property to the people you choose, in the manner you choose and at the time you choose.
   
• 2. Assures your assets will benefit those you wish to benefit in the event of

• a. Divorce of a beneficiary

• b. Remarriage of a beneficiary

• c. Lawsuits and claims of creditors against your beneficiary

• d. Disability of your beneficiary, including addictions.