Inventory
- create a list of all possible assets
- create a list of all non-physical assets
- create a list of all digital assets (financial accounts, social media accounts, emails) with passwords
- Create a list of all debts with approximate balances;
Last Will and Testament
- Appoint a guardian for children
- Appoint a guardian for pets
- Decide who gets what
- Appoint an Executor to carry out your wishes;
Financial Power of Attorney
- Appoint an agent to manage your finances on your behalf
- Specify any special instructions for your agent such as donating a certain amount to a certain charity
Healthcare Documents
- Declare your healthcare preferences in a Living Will
- Appoint an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf in a Living Will
Living Trusts
- Inventory all assets and decide who gets what
- Place all assets in the name of the Trust
- Appoint a successor Trustee to manage the Trust once you pass;
Designation of Beneficiaries
Appoint a beneficiary for all non-probatable assets which includes:
- Retirement accounts
- Life insurance policies
- Pensions
Insurance and Financial Info
- Gather copies of all insurance policy documents (life health, car home)
- Create a list of financial accounts and institutions (bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages, loans)
Proof of Identification
Gather your proof of identification cards:
- Social Security Card
- Birth, Marriage, and/or divorce certificates
- Prenuptial Agreement
Titles and Deeds
- Gather all titles and deeds for your assets (homes, vehicles, real estate)
- If you have a Trust, re-title all assets into the ownership of the Trust
End-of-Life Instructions
Lay out your instructions for funeral preferences
- Method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.)
- Type of service
- What you want said or done
Keeping Secure and Up To Date
- Find a safe place to keep your estate planning documents
- Inform your Executors and Powers of Attorney how to access your documents
- Set a time to review and update your documents each year
