Most parents carry that low-key dread of “what if,” but almost no one feels equipped to deal with it. You can stop running on anxiety and start making informed decisions by knowing what really happens when a parent dies, how to evaluate life insurance without getting scammed by fear-mongering, and what steps actually protect your family’s future.

You know that uneasy feeling when you think about what would happen to your kids if something happened to you—but then you shove it aside because it feels too heavy to deal with? This article is your permission slip to face it head-on, minus the legal jargon and emotional fog. You’ll learn how to protect your family’s future with clear, realistic planning to make sure your kids are cared for and financially protected by the right people.