Mortality is a grim but stubborn fact of human life. You cannot live forever, and it is important to create a document, a plan, a set of instructions that distributes and disposes of your capital in the way that accords with your wishes. You do not have to be amongst the wealthiest class of persons to engage in estate planning. If you have accumulated capital, assets, and property that are of some value, and you wish different portions to go to particular family members, friends, and independent institutions, then you should start thinking specifically about who should get what. You may still be relatively young and vigorous, or you may be getting on in years and nearing retirement. No matter your age or physical condition, you never know when illness or accident might incapacitate or kill you. If you have accumulated the kinds of assets discussed above, then you should sit down with a lawyer and start developing an estate plan. If you already have a lawyer that you consider a confidant, then you should speak with them about your desire to put an estate plan in place. Such legal documents should be drawn up by a specialist, and your family counsel can help you choose one. An estate planning lawyer will prevent your money, capital, and business interests from going to probate court when you are gone. They will also draw up a will, trusts, and powers of attorney. Issues involving a second marriage, multiple businesses, multi-state and multi-nation real estate holdings, step children, problem children, charity bequests, IRAs and 401(k)s, and estate taxes can all be sorted through with the help of a qualified estate planning attorney.