Planning Ahead: A New Year’s Resolution for End‑of‑Life Preparedness

The start of a new year often invites reflection, goal‑setting, and practical planning for the future. We resolve to care better for our health, our finances, our relationships, and our responsibilities. One resolution that rarely makes the list—but can be one of the most meaningful—is preparing for the end of life.

Planning for one’s own death can feel uncomfortable, emotional, or even frightening. Many people put it off, assuming there will be more time later. Advance care planning, however, is not a morbid exercise. It is an act of care and responsibility—one that can ease stress for loved ones, reduce uncertainty, and ensure that your values and wishes are known and respected.

This post provides general, educational information about end‑of‑life planning, including checklists and links to trusted public resources. It is intended for those who are looking for a place to begin.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Library staff and this blog do not provide legal advice or legal recommendations. Laws and requirements vary by state and by individual circumstances. If you need advice about your specific situation, you may wish to consult a licensed attorney or other qualified professional.

Why Plan Ahead?

Advance care planning allows you to think intentionally about your values and preferences before a crisis occurs. Planning ahead can help you:

  • Reflect on what matters most to you and how you want to be cared for.

  • Decide who you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you cannot.

  • Reduce emotional, logistical, and financial burdens on loved ones.

  • Ensure that cultural, spiritual, or religious traditions are respected.

  • Leave clear guidance that reflects your priorities and relationships.

From this perspective, advance care planning is not focused on death itself. It is focused on dignity, clarity, and consideration for the people who may one day need to act on your behalf.

Advance Care Planning: Core Legal Documents

Advance care planning typically involves a set of legal documents that communicate your wishes and authorize others to act for you if you become unable to do so. These documents are governed by state law. In Texas, specific statutory forms and requirements may apply, so it is important to ensure that documents are valid for use in this state.

Checklist: Common Advance Care and Estate Planning Documents

  • Living Will / Advance Directives
    States your preferences about medical treatment if you are unable to communicate, particularly near the end of life

  • Medical Power of Attorney (Health Care Agent or Proxy)
    Appoints a trusted person to make health care decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself

  • Statutory Durable Power of Attorney (Financial)
    Allows someone to manage financial and legal matters on your behalf if you become incapacitated

  • Do Not Resuscitate (OOH-DNR) Order
    Medical orders that guide emergency or clinical care in specific situations

  • Last Will and Testament
    Describes how your property should be distributed after death and may name guardians for minor children

  • Trusts or Other Estate Planning Instruments (if applicable)
    May be used to manage assets, plan for incapacity, or address specific family or financial needs

Beyond Legal Documents: Recording Personal Wishes

Not everything that matters can—or should—be captured in a formal legal document. Many people also choose to record personal wishes that can guide loved ones during an emotionally difficult time.

Checklist: Personal Wishes and Requests

  • Preferences for end‑of‑life care (comfort measures, hospice, location of care)

  • Funeral, memorial, or celebration‑of‑life preferences

  • Cultural, spiritual, or religious traditions to be observed

  • Music, readings, prayers, or rituals you would like included

  • Instructions for burial, cremation, or other disposition

  • Personal messages or letters to loved ones

These wishes are often written in a letter of instruction or personal planning document. While they may not be legally binding, they can provide meaningful guidance and reassurance.

Creating a Planning Folder for Survivors

One practical step that can make a significant difference for surviving family members or trusted friends is creating a single planning folder or file. This can be physical, digital, or both. Clear organization can greatly reduce confusion and stress during an already difficult time.

Checklist: What to Include in a Planning Folder

  • The location of all important legal documents (wills, powers of attorney, advance directives)

  • Contact information for attorneys, financial advisors, and health care providers

  • Information and access instructions for financial and digital accounts, including:

    • Bank and investment accounts

    • Insurance policies

    • Retirement accounts

    • Online accounts and subscriptions

  • Copies of key identity documents, such as:

    • Birth certificate

    • Social Security card

    • Passport

    • Marriage or divorce records

  • Secure instructions for accessing important passwords

  • Written requests regarding heirlooms, sentimental items, and personal property not addressed in a will

It is important to let at least one trusted person know that this folder exists and where it can be found.

How the Library Can Help

The Law Library can help community members find reliable legal information and understand their options. Library staff cannot provide legal advice or tell you what you should do, but we can help you locate forms, books, and trusted resources to support your planning.

Through the Law Library, you may be able to:

  • Access Texas-approved will and estate planning form templates, including statutory will forms available through the Texas Judiciary website. (See the Probate & Guardianship section for Will templates and the Transfer on Death Deed kit.)

  • Access Advance Directives such as a Living Will, Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney, and a Do-Not-Resuscitate Order from the Texas Health and Human Services website.

  • Find plain-language guides and eBooks on wills, probate, advance directives, and estate planning. Several titles by author, Denis Clifford, published by Nolo, are available in print in the Harris County Hainsworth Law Library’s Self-help collection.

  • Use legal research databases, such as Westlaw and Lexis, that include up-to-date Texas-specific practice guides and explanatory materials.

  • Learn about advance care planning and end-of-life topics through library-curated resource lists and programs.

  • Get help locating local referral resources, such as lawyer referral services or legal aid organizations.

Library staff can assist with navigating these materials, printing or downloading forms, and identifying additional educational resources. They cannot help complete forms or advise you on what choices to make, but they can help you better understand what information is available so you can make informed decisions.

Resolving to Plan Ahead in 2026

Advance care planning does not need to be completed all at once. As a New Year’s resolution, it can be approached as a process rather than a single task. For example:

  • Start by reviewing or completing an advance directive.

  • Identify and speak with the person you would choose as your health care agent.

  • Gradually gather documents and organize a planning folder.

Each step helps build clarity and preparedness over time.

Closing Thoughts

End‑of‑life planning is both practical and deeply personal. It may bring up difficult emotions, and it is common to feel resistance or discomfort when thinking about these issues. At the same time, planning ahead can be empowering. It creates space for reflection about what you value, who you trust, and how you want your wishes—and your life—to be honored.

By taking steps now, you offer a lasting gift to those you care about: clear guidance, reduced uncertainty, and the ability to focus on remembering and honoring you, rather than making difficult decisions without direction.

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