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Serious Illness: what to review in your estate plan
After a serious diagnosis, the most valuable step is to put decision-makers and wishes in writing while you can. Documents have to be signed while you understand what you are signing, and that window can close.
Worth reviewing
- A health care power of attorney and living will that reflect your wishes
- A financial power of attorney so bills, taxes, and property are managed
- Whether a trust would let someone step in without court involvement
- Long-term care costs and how benefit rules, including look-back periods, could affect planning
- Beneficiary forms, so they match your current wishes
Documents to look at first
For this life event, these are the documents most often affected. Your own list depends on your family and what you have already signed.
- Health care power of attorney and living will
- Financial power of attorney
- Revocable living trust
- Your will
- Beneficiary designations (retirement, insurance, bank accounts)
When to act
As soon as possible.
Related life events
Not sure where your plan stands?
A consultation is the place to talk through what has changed and what to update first. Nothing is finalized until we have talked.
This page is general information about Illinois law and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. See the Disclaimer. Last updated October 2026.