A recent Caring.com survey found that many people view estate planning as essential when they acquire valuable assets like a home or a substantial cash windfall. More than half of the respondents -- 56 percent -- said they don't have a will or trust because some feel they lack enough assets to leave anyone. But estate planning involves more than things -- it also involves people; your final wishes form the future for those you love. The best time to plan is when you're healthy and don’t face a crisis. Yet, as the survey showed, some age groups are more prepared than others, and certain factors influenced their choices.

A will guides your assets and your loved ones through your final chapter. But not every will suits every situation; each has advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore some of the most common types of wills and their purposes in estate planning.

An average of six out of every ten American adults lack an estate plan. Like a sandcastle washed away, without a plan, the lifetime legacy you’ve built could vanish. When your loved ones grieve, as medical bills mount and deeds gather dust, your final wishes can remain a mystery.

Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey has joked that to show you hate your family, "leave unclear instructions and no will." Without knowing your final wishes, those close to you could fight over your estate or wind up paying your end-of-life costs themselves. If your loved ones struggle to manage the probate process, the burden may also affect them physically and emotionally.

If you want to talk to a loved one about an advance health-care directive, you may not know where to begin. Here is some advice on how to plan the conversation, how to broach the topic, and what to say.