Your estate is comprised of everything you own—your car, your home, any other real estate, your bank accounts, your life insurance policy, your personal possessions, even your furniture, dog, and cat. With an estate plan, you get to decide who will ensure your wishes are carried out, who you want to receive your possessions, what you want them to receive, and when you want them to receive it. Your estate plan can also include instructions for your care should you become incapacitated before you die, name a guardian for your minor children, provide for family members with special needs while retaining crucial government benefits, and even provide for loved ones who might be irresponsible with money or could need future protections from creditors or divorce.