Valentine’s Day is often associated with grand gestures—flowers, dinners, and heartfelt notes. But there is a quieter kind of love that lasts longer than any bouquet: making sure the people you care about are protected if life takes an unexpected turn.

 

That is the heart of estate planning. It is not just about finances. It is about making decisions in advance for your health, family, legacy, and the people (and pets) who rely on you.

 

If you have a spouse or partner, children, pets, a home, or simply strong preferences about what should happen—estate planning is one of the most practical ways to show love.

 

Love looks like clarity

When someone passes away or becomes unable to make decisions, the hardest moments often come with the most urgent questions:

 

• Who can step in and make decisions?
• What happens to children or pets?
• How do bills get paid?
• Who receives the home or savings?
• What did they want—and how do we know?

 

An estate plan exists to prevent your loved ones from having to guess. It helps ensure your wishes are known and honored, and it reduces the likelihood that your family will be left to struggle through uncertainty.

 

The “love letter” decisions an estate plan covers

Think of an estate plan as a set of instructions that protects what matters most—your family’s stability, your privacy, and your future.

 

Most plans address four core areas:

 

● Who can make decisions if you cannot

An estate plan typically includes direction on who has authority to act if you are unable to.

● Protection for children, dependents, and pets

If you have children or pets, estate planning allows you to name the people you trust to step in and care for them.

● Instructions for who receives what

From the family home to personal items with sentimental value, you can document how you want assets handled.

● Reducing legal and administrative burden

Many people plan specifically to reduce legal proceedings, including probate, so loved ones can focus on healing instead of court processes.

A Valentine’s Day “estate planning date night” checklist

If you and your spouse/partner want a simple starting point, set aside 30 minutes and discuss:

 

• If something happened to one of us tomorrow, who should be in charge of carrying out our wishes? (executor or trustee)
• If we have kids, who should care for them?
• If we have pets, who should care for them?
• What would we want done with our home, savings, and personal items?
• Would we prefer a straightforward plan—or more privacy and control?

 

You do not need to solve every detail in one night. The goal is alignment—so your plan reflects your real life.

Wills and Trusts: choosing the right structure for your "love letter"

Every estate plan should include a Will. In some cases, adding a Trust can provide additional benefits.

 

A Will: clear direction, guardianship protection, straightforward setup

A Will outlines who receives your belongings, who cares for your children or pets, and who carries out your wishes.

 

On its own, a Will can be a good fit for people who want a straightforward, affordable plan and don’t need the additional benefits a Trust can provide.

 

A Trust: privacy, probate avoidance, and more control over timing