✅ Estate Planning Checklist: What You Need to Get Started
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s for anyone who wants to protect their family, preserve their assets, and make sure their wishes are followed. Whether you’re just getting started or updating an existing plan, here’s a simple checklist to help guide you through the process.
📄 1. Gather Key Personal Information
Before you meet with an estate planning attorney, pull together basic details:
Full legal names of you, your spouse/partner, and children
Social Security numbers (for legal documents)
Contact info for key people (beneficiaries, executor, guardians, etc.)
Copies of marriage, divorce, adoption, or custody documents
💰 2. Take Inventory of Your Assets
Make a list of everything you own, including:
Real estate (homes, rental properties, land)
Bank accounts (checking, savings, CDs)
Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pensions)
Investment accounts (stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
Life insurance policies
Business interests
Personal valuables (jewelry, art, vehicles, collectibles)
Tip: Include account numbers and estimated values if available.
📜 3. List Your Debts
Make note of:
Mortgages
Car loans
Credit card balances
Student loans
Personal loans or lines of credit
This helps give a full picture of your net estate.
👥 4. Decide Who Will Play Key Roles
You’ll need to appoint trusted individuals for several important roles:
Executor: The person who will carry out your will
Guardian(s): For minor children or dependents
Power of Attorney: For financial decisions if you’re incapacitated
Health Care Proxy: To make medical decisions on your behalf
🧾 5. Choose Your Beneficiaries
Clearly designate who will inherit your assets. Make sure to:
Name both primary and alternate beneficiaries
Coordinate your estate plan with beneficiary designations on retirement and life insurance accounts
Consider whether you need to set up trusts (e.g., for minor children, special needs dependents, or asset protection)
🏥 6. Prepare Your Health Care Documents
These documents protect you if you can’t speak for yourself:
Living Will: Your wishes for end-of-life medical care
Durable Health Care Power of Attorney: Who makes decisions if you can't
HIPAA Release: Gives access to your medical records
🛑 7. Think About Special Circumstances
You may need additional planning if you:
Own a business
Have a blended family
Have a child or spouse with special needs
Plan to leave assets to a charity
Want to minimize estate taxes or avoid probate
🗂 8. Organize and Store Documents Safely
Once your estate plan is complete, keep documents:
In a fireproof safe or secure digital vault
With your attorney (ask if they retain originals)
In a place your executor and trusted loved ones can access
🔁 9. Review and Update Regularly
Review your estate plan every 3–5 years, or after major life events:
Marriage or divorce
Birth or adoption of a child
Death of a beneficiary or executor
Major financial changes
Move to another state (laws vary)
✅ Final Tip: Work With an Estate Planning Attorney
An experienced attorney can ensure your documents are legally valid, customized to your needs, and coordinated to minimize taxes and avoid probate complications.
Ready to get started?
Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.
