Will & Estate Planning Checklist

16 items · Lifestyle · Hard difficulty · 2 hours

Practical checklist to write your will and organize your estate.

• Define estate goals and priorities

  Decide who you want to provide for and any specific gifts or protections.

• List all assets and liabilities

  Include property, bank accounts, investments, retirement, life insurance, and debts.

• Choose an executor (personal representative)

  Pick someone trustworthy and discuss the role and responsibilities with them.

• Name guardians for minor children

  Select primary and alternate guardians and confirm they're willing to serve.

• Select a durable power of attorney for finances

  Authorize a trusted agent to manage finances if you become incapacitated.

• Create an advance healthcare directive and appoint a health proxy

  Record medical wishes and name someone to make health decisions for you.

• Draft a last will and testament

  Use an attorney or reliable state-specific template to state distributions and executor.

• Designate beneficiaries on accounts and policies

  Confirm beneficiary designations for retirement, insurance, and payable-on-death accounts.

• Update bank and investment account beneficiaries
• Update retirement and pension beneficiaries
• Update life insurance beneficiaries
• Consider establishing trusts for specific needs

  Evaluate revocable, irrevocable, or special-needs trusts to meet goals and avoid probate.

• Inventory digital assets and access instructions

  List accounts, domains, crypto, social media, and where passwords are stored.

• Plan for taxes, debts, and final expenses

  Estimate estate taxes, list debts, and designate funds for funeral and closing costs.

• Store original documents securely and notify your executor

  Keep originals in a safe deposit box or attorney's custody and tell the executor where they are.

• Meet with an estate attorney or financial advisor

  Review documents, state laws, and tax implications before finalizing the plan.

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