What is "Estate Planning"?
Estate planning is making the legal arrangements for the management and distribution of your assets upon your death or incapacity.
It normally includes writing a will and nominating individuals to take over your affairs and help your minor children when you pass away and to make health care and financial decisions for you when you are still alive but cannot do so. It can also include establishing trusts and designating beneficiaries on financial accounts. All of this is done in a deliberate, coordinated and planned way -- hence the name "Estate Planning".