How Far Along Is Your Estate Plan? A Step-by-Step Estate Planning Checklist
Estate planning can feel like one enormous task. In reality, it’s a series of smaller decisions: deciding what you want, putting those wishes in writing, making your documents official, organizing important information, talking to the people involved, and keeping everything up to date.
Use this checklist to see what you’ve already taken care of—and what might still need your attention.
Your Estate Planning Roadmap
1. Make Some Decisions
Before you create the documents, think through the people, property, and wishes they need to protect.
Decide who you want to inherit your assets
Review existing beneficiary designations on life insurance, 401(k)s, retirement accounts, and other accounts
Choose an executor and/or trustee
Choose who could make financial decisions for you if you couldn’t
Choose who could make healthcare decisions for you if you couldn’t
Choose a guardian for your children, if applicable
Decide who should care for your pets, if applicable
Think through your funeral and end-of-life wishes
Not sure how to start the conversation? Read 21 Ways to Have the Estate Planning Conversation.
2. Create My Plan
Turn the decisions you’ve made into clear instructions for the people who may one day need them. Not everyone needs every estate planning document. What belongs in your plan depends on your life, family, assets, and wishes.
Will — Document how you want your assets distributed and who should carry out your wishes
Trust — Consider whether a trust makes sense for your assets and estate planning goals
Financial Power of Attorney — Choose someone who can manage financial matters on your behalf if needed
Advance Health Care Directive — Document your healthcare wishes and who should speak for you
Pet Directive — Leave instructions for the care of your pets
Funeral Directive — Put your funeral and final wishes in writing
3. Make It Official
Creating your documents is only part of the process. Make sure they’re properly completed and ready to work when they’re needed.
Sign your documents according to your state’s requirements, including any required witnesses or notarization
Fund your trust, if applicable
Make funeral pre-planning or prepayment arrangements, if applicable
Store your original signed documents somewhere secure
Considering funeral pre-planning?
Need help making your documents valid?
4. Organize My Digital Life
Your documents are only part of the picture. Organize the information the people you trust may eventually need.
Add important accounts and websites to your Digital Vault
Upload important documents, such as life insurance policies, property deeds, identification, and other key records
Upload digital copies of your completed estate planning documents
Add important information for your digital accounts and devices
Choose Trusted Contacts and decide what information you want to share with them
Keep it together: Store documents, accounts, and important information in your GoodTrust Digital Vault.
5. Tell My People
Naming someone is one thing. Making sure they know their role, and where to find what they need, is another.
Talk to your executor and/or trustee
Talk to your healthcare and financial agents
Talk to your chosen guardian, if applicable
Talk to your chosen pet caregiver, if applicable
Make sure the right people know where your estate plan is stored
Make sure the right people know how to access important information
Share important documents and information with your Trusted Contacts, when appropriate
6. Keep It Current
Your life changes. Your estate plan should change with it.
Review your estate plan every 3–5 years and after major life changes
Review beneficiary designations periodically
Update roles—including your executor, trustee, agents, guardian, and beneficiaries—when needed
Update your assets, accounts, property, and other important information
Make sure your Digital Vault contains the latest versions of important documents
Revisit your wishes and make sure your plan still reflects what you want
How Far Along Are You?
You don’t need to complete everything at once. This checklist is designed to help you see what you’ve already done, what still needs attention, and what your next step could be.
Estate planning doesn’t end when you create a will. A complete plan means making decisions, documenting them, making your documents official, organizing important information, communicating with the people you trust, and keeping everything current.
Get started today, here.