Your End-of-Life Readiness Score
- Free
- 10 questions
- About 2 minutes
- Checked October 2026
End-of-Life Readiness Score
Getting started
Free and private
If something happened to you tomorrow, how ready would the people you love be?
Answer each question honestly. There are no wrong answers, and nobody is judging you.
Where do you live?
Laws are different in each country. We use this to give you the right next steps.
Your answers stay in your browser unless you ask for your report.
Why planning matters
Picture a doctor asking your family about your care. Would they know your answer?
Many people think their family will just know. Often, they do not. A review of 16 studies found that family members guessed a patient's treatment wishes wrong about one time in three.
Planning keeps your voice heard when you cannot speak. It also helps the people who would have to decide.
What families say they wish they had
When families talk about the hardest days, they rarely talk about money first. They talk about not knowing what you wanted or where the papers were. They wish they had talked about it while they still could.
You can give them that now. You do not need to be old or ill to start.
You are not behind
If your score is low, please be kind to yourself. Most adults have not finished this. In the US, fewer than half of adults have a will. Among adults under 30, it is about one in five.
A low score is not a failure. It is a map that shows you where to start.
Start with one small thing
You do not need a free weekend. You need about fifteen minutes.
Pick the first step on your list. Write one list. Make one phone call. Ask one person one question.
What one thing could you do this week to help someone you love feel safer?
Questions people ask
What documents do I need for end-of-life planning?
Most people need four main papers. First, a will. Second, a power of attorney for money. Third, a paper that names who makes health decisions for you. Fourth, an advance directive, which records your medical wishes. A list of your accounts and your funeral wishes also helps your family.
What happens if I die without a will?
The law of your country or state decides who gets what. This may not match what you wanted. An unmarried partner or a close friend may get nothing. Your family may also face more delay and cost.
Do I need a lawyer to make a will or an advance directive?
Not always. In many places, you can write a simple will yourself. It must be signed and witnessed correctly. Most US states offer free advance directive forms. Get legal advice if your situation is complex. Examples are a business, property abroad, or children from different relationships.
What is the difference between a will and a living will?
A will is about your money and things after you die. A living will is about your medical care while you are alive. It only matters if you cannot speak for yourself. They are separate papers, and most people need both.
At what age should I start planning?
Any adult can start, and 18 is not too young. Accidents and sudden illness can happen at any age. Planning while you are healthy is easier and calmer. You can update your plan as your life changes.
How often should I review my plan?
Look at it once a year. Also review it after big life events. These include marriage, divorce, a new child, a move, or a new diagnosis. Make sure your chosen people are still the right ones.
Why do you ask about faith or belief?
Faith, or the lack of it, can shape the care you want near the end and the farewell you want after. Some faiths have rules about prayers, washing the body or how soon burial happens. Your answer only changes the next steps we suggest. It does not change your score. 'I'd rather not say' is always fine.
How is my readiness score worked out?
The first question, about faith or belief, does not change your score. It only shapes your next steps. For the other nine, a full 'yes' gets full points. A partial answer gets half. 'Not yet' gets none. We group them into six areas. Legal papers count most, then health wishes. The score is a guide, not legal advice.
Is my information saved?
Your score is worked out on this page. If you ask for your report, we save your email, answers and score. We never save your answer about faith or belief. We use them to send your report and up to two short follow-up emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your email. See our privacy page for details.
Sources
Checked October 2026
- Gallup (2021): How many Americans have a will? (opens in a new tab)
- National Institute on Aging: Advance directives for health care (opens in a new tab)
- National Institute on Aging: Getting your affairs in order checklist (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney (opens in a new tab)
- NHS: Advance decision (living will) (opens in a new tab)
- Advance Care Planning Australia: What is advance care planning? (opens in a new tab)
- Health Canada: Advance care planning glossary (provincial terms) (opens in a new tab)
- Asian Bioethics Review (2018): Advance decisions and the law in Malaysia (opens in a new tab)
- Shalowitz et al. (2006): The accuracy of surrogate decision makers, a systematic review (Arch Intern Med) (opens in a new tab)
This tool helps you plan. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules differ from country to country.