Q: I'm starting to think about making decisions about what to do with my stuff after I'm gone. I'm still in good health but know that you can never expect the future.

I've heard friends talking about their estate planning but usually have no idea what they're talking about. I want to start making my own plan but am embarrassed to go into a lawyer's office blind.

Can you give me a basic overview of what documents are in a trust?

A: Taking care of your estate planning can save a lot of worry down the road.

There are two basic kinds of trusts: revocable and irrevocable.

Revocable trusts tend to be more versatile than irrevocable trusts, as it is easier to change them so long as the creator is mentally competent. A revocable trust becomes irrevocable once the trust's creator passes away.

Some of the common documents in a trust include the following: the trust itself; an advanced health care directive; a certification of trust; a declaration regarding the title of assets; funeral instructions; a family/separate trust; a springing or durable power of attorney; quitclaim deeds; a transfer of personal effects to the trust; and a will.

Many of these documents are extremely simple to draft (such as your funeral instructions), but others are more complicated.

Depending on your personal circumstances, you may need different plans. For instance, many people who have had more than one marriage and have multiple children may want to make two separate trusts — one as a couple and one as an individual.

Don't feel embarrassed about visiting an estate lawyer. While it's always good to go into a first meeting with some preparation, an estate lawyer is there to provide their expertise. — Emma, Doug's granddaughter

PETS FOR SENIORS

Q: Many of my oldest friends have passed away in the last decade, and it's hard to make strong connections with people. Even if I've made friends with my neighbors, I don't feel as close with them.

I don't feel depressed, but I do feel lonely.

From what I've heard around, getting a pet helps a lot with loneliness. We always used to have dogs, but I'm not sure about owning a new one.

Even though I love dogs, I'm not up to training a new puppy and then abandoning it when I'm no longer around.

Do you have any workaround?

A: Dog ownership doesn't have to mean getting a puppy.

As there are many dogs without homes, you will find an abundance of options if you research a local animal shelter. Many of the dogs there come already trained and vaccinated.

Many animals in shelters are seniors themselves. Shelters find it more difficult to find homes for these pets because many people want puppies. However, many of these dogs are lovely and looking for a new owner to love.

The good news is that many places offer incentives to people looking for older dogs! Depending on the facility, this could mean reduced adoption fees, medical options and additional support.

Some animal shelters even have special programs to pair seniors with older dogs, generally over the age of 7 (or older for very small dogs who tend to live longer).

If you're not able to make a commitment right now, you can look for other ways to spend time with animals. Consider volunteering at a local animal shelter: You'll feel more connected with the community, get to spend time with animals and make a difference in your area.

Another option is to foster a pet. Many animal shelters are overcrowded (especially with senior animals) and look for people to take in animals for a specified amount of time. There's much less commitment, so less worry for you.

As animals need fostering for a variety of reasons, let the shelter know what your comfort areas are. You would probably have a problem with fostering a young or untrained dog. Letting the shelter know your needs will help them find a good match for you.

Getting older doesn't mean staying alone! - Doug

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com. Emma, Doug's granddaughter, helps write this column. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.