How does estate planning differ from will writing?

Estate planning is a comprehensive process of making legal arrangements to manage and distribute your assets during your lifetime and after your death, according to your wishes, while minimizing taxes and expenses. Will writing is just one aspect of estate planning and refers to the legal document that outlines how your assets will be distributed after your death.

Estate planning also involves naming a power of attorney to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, choosing a healthcare proxy to make medical decisions on your behalf, creating a trust to manage and distribute assets, and making plans for longterm care, among other things. Estate planning is a more holistic approach to managing your assets and ensuring that your wishes are carried out, while will writing focuses specifically on the distribution of your assets after your death.