Estate planning checklist: what to prepare and when

Estate planning is one of those things that almost everyone intends to do — and far too many people put off until it becomes urgent. The good news is that the core elements are more achievable than most people expect, and getting them in place now is one of the most meaningful things you can do for the people you love.

This checklist covers the essential documents, designations, and decisions that make up a solid estate plan at any life stage.

Core legal documents

These are the foundation of any estate plan:

• Will (Last Will and Testament): Specifies how your assets should be distributed after your death, names an executor to carry out your wishes, and (for parents) designates a guardian for minor children. Without a will, your estate will be distributed according to your state's intestacy laws — which may not reflect your wishes.
• Durable power of attorney (financial): Authorizes someone to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. Without this, a court may need to appoint a guardian or conservator. See the full guide on power of attorney for end-of-life planning for a detailed breakdown of how this document works.
• Healthcare power of attorney (medical POA): Designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot communicate them yourself.
• Advance directive / living will: Documents your wishes for medical treatment in specific situations — resuscitation, life support, artificial nutrition. Works alongside your healthcare POA. For a clear explanation of how these two documents differ and how they work together, see the guide on advance directives vs. living wills.
• HIPAA authorization: Allows designated individuals to access your medical records, which is separate from healthcare decision-making authority.

Beneficiary designations

Beneficiary designations are one of the most frequently overlooked — and most impactful — aspects of estate planning. They override your will entirely.

Review and update beneficiaries for:

• Life insurance policies
• Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, 403(b), pension)
• Annuities
• Payable-on-death (POD) bank accounts
• Transfer-on-death (TOD) brokerage accounts

Check for:

• Outdated designations (ex-spouses, deceased individuals)
• Missing contingent beneficiaries
• Minor children named directly (which can create complications — consider a trust)

Financial inventory

Document what you own and where it is:

• Bank accounts (institution, account numbers, type)
• Investment and brokerage accounts
• Retirement accounts
• Real estate (addresses, deeds, mortgage information)
• Vehicles (make, model, title location)
• Business interests or ownership stakes
• Valuable personal property (jewelry, art, collectibles)
• Life insurance policies (insurer, policy number, face value)
• Outstanding debts (mortgage, loans, credit cards)

This inventory becomes the foundation your executor will work from. Store it somewhere accessible to the people who will need it.

Digital assets

Don't forget:

• Login credentials or a password manager access plan
• Email accounts and cloud storage
• Social media accounts (with instructions for memorialization or deletion)
• Cryptocurrency wallets and private keys
• Online financial accounts
• Domain names, websites, or digital businesses

Consider a digital executor provision or leaving clear instructions about how these accounts should be handled. For a comprehensive look at what happens to digital accounts after a death and how to prepare, see the guide on digital assets after death.

Trusts (when applicable)

A trust may be worth considering if you:

• Have a blended family or complex family situation
• Want to provide for a minor or a person with a disability
• Own property in multiple states (which can otherwise require multiple probate proceedings)
• Want to reduce or avoid probate
• Have a taxable estate

Common trust types include revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, and testamentary trusts. An estate planning attorney can help you determine what structure fits your situation.

Reviewing and updating your plan

Estate planning is not a one-time task. Review your plan after:

• Marriage or divorce
• Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
• Death of a beneficiary or named executor/trustee
• A significant change in your financial situation
• Moving to a different state
• Turning 65 or approaching retirement
• A major change in tax law

A general best practice is to review your documents every three to five years even if nothing significant has changed.

Getting started

If you do not yet have an estate plan in place, the most important first step is to start somewhere — even with a basic will and updated beneficiary designations. You do not need to have everything perfectly in order from day one. The end-of-life documents checklist is a natural companion to this guide — it covers every category of document to gather and organize, not just what to create. And if you have never navigated the probate process before, the guide on what probate is and how it works explains what happens to your estate after death and why certain planning steps help your family avoid lengthy court proceedings.

Note: Estate planning rules vary by state. Community property states (such as California, Texas, and Arizona) have different rules about asset ownership between spouses. Some states require specific witness and notarization requirements for wills to be valid. Work with an estate planning attorney in your state to ensure your documents are properly executed.

What Passings Can Help With

Passings provides a guided task checklist that walks you through estate planning steps in a logical order — from gathering documents to reviewing beneficiary designations. The document vault gives you a secure place to store your will, healthcare directives, and financial inventory so everything is in one place when your family needs it.

This article provides general information and is not legal, financial, or medical advice. Regulations and procedures vary by state.

Disclaimer — For informational purposes only

This article is compiled from publicly available resources and is provided solely for general informational purposes. It does not constitute and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, tax, insurance, medical, psychological, or other professional advice. Passings is a planning and organizational platform, not a licensed advisory service, and no attorney-client, financial advisor-client, or other professional relationship is created by reading this content.

Laws, regulations, financial products, and professional standards vary by state and change over time. Passings makes no representations or warranties — express or implied — regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or suitability of any information contained herein. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Passings disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, or harm arising from your use of or reliance on this content. Always consult a qualified, licensed professional — including an attorney, financial advisor, CPA, or licensed counselor — before making decisions specific to your situation.

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