The short answer
When you're ready, yes. A single page is enough.
It needs one line each for where you'll live, who you'll see, what you'll do, what the money allows, and what your papers say. A plan you can change is better than none.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Write one line each for where, who, what, money and papers on My next ten years.
- Book a check-in with your financial planner, or find a fee-only financial planner if you don't have one.
- Check with a probate or estate lawyer that your will, power of attorney and beneficiary forms are current.
- Name up to three people through Advance Designation, if you receive or are applying for Social Security.
- Write down when your regular health appointments are due, and keep them.
- Look at your Medicare plan between October 15 and December 7, if you have Medicare.
- Choose a date each year to look at the page again.
What can wait
Who can help
A fee-only financial planner can look at what the money allows; the search at napfa.org finds one. A probate or estate lawyer can check your will, powers of attorney and beneficiary forms. Social Security, at 1-800-772-1213, answers questions about Advance Designation and form SSA-44.
If looking ahead feels impossible because the days are still very heavy, tell your doctor or a counselor.
If you have thoughts of not wanting to be here, tell someone today. You can call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org. It is for anyone who is struggling, and you do not have to be suicidal to reach out.
For most people who have these thoughts, support and treatment work. If the thoughts feel like a plan, call or text 988 now.
You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. The Veterans Crisis Line is 988, then press 1, or text 838255, and it also serves families and friends. Where to get help tonight, at the back of this book, lists every line.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’ own pages in October 2026. They change, so check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 7: Year Two
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 12. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 15 to 24.
Hear when the next book is out
Five or six short emails a year at most, and a note when a new book is out. Each one is about something that tends to come up in the first two years. You can unsubscribe whenever you like.