Two key components of end-of-life planning are informal planning for future care and end-of-life preferences and formal end-of-life plans via living wills and legal documents. We build on previous work on the institutionalization of marriage and sexual minority discrimination to theorize the dynamics and strategies of heterosexual, gay, and lesbian married couples in informal and formal end-of-life planning. We use qualitative dyadic methods to analyze in-depth interviews with 45 midlife gay, lesbian, and heterosexual married couples (N = 90 spouses). Findings suggest that same-sex spouses devote intensive time and attention to informal planning conversations and formal end-of-life plans, while heterosexual spouses report minimal formal or informal planning. The primary reasons same-sex spouses give for making end-of-life preparations are related to the absence of legal protections and concerns about family interference. These findings raise questions about future end-of-life planning among gay, lesbian, and heterosexual couples given a rapidly shifting legal landscape.Cite as: Thomeer, Mieke Beth, Rachel Donnelly, Corinne Reczek, & Debra Umberson. (2017). Planning for Future Care and the End of Life: A Qualitative Analysis of Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Couples. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 58(4): 473-487.