They top our list of health experts who may decide whether you live or die.

FORBES

For example, if you are married with children, and you die without having planned your estate, then some of your assets may pass to your children.

FORBES: Financial Advisers for Professional Athletes and Entertainers

This idea, as you may detect, is cheerfully ripped off from "Die Fledermaus" by Johannn Strauss II.

FORBES: 'Deflator Mouse'

That savings account may make a huge difference to your partner if you die suddenly or become disabled.

FORBES: Civil unions and shared bank accounts

You will know by now that I didn't die, which may be a disappointment to some.

BBC: Magazine

Unlike, say, a Tamagotchi (or, you know, a real animal), Furby won't die if you don't feed it -- though it may get cranky.

ENGADGET: Furby gets a reboot for 2012, we go hands-on (video)

Researchers say that this may have more impact on how much control you have over how and when you die than legal wrangling and the wishes of patients and their families.

FORBES: For Dying, Geography Can Be Destiny