The Complete Estate Planning Checklist (2026)

When something happens to you, your family will not have the luxury of figuring things out slowly. They will need answers in days, not weeks: where the will is, who the lawyer is, how to get into the safe, what the password to your phone is. This checklist covers everything a complete estate plan should contain. Most families have fewer than five of these documented.

Core legal documents

1. Last Will and Testament Names your executor, distributes your property, names guardians for minor children.

2. Revocable Living Trust Holds titled assets so they avoid probate and stay private.

3. Healthcare Directive (Living Will) Tells doctors what life-prolonging treatment you do and do not want if you cannot speak for yourself.

4. Durable Power of Attorney (Financial) Names someone to manage your money and property if you become incapacitated.

5. Healthcare Power of Attorney Names someone to make medical decisions for you when you cannot.

6. Supported Decision-Making Agreement (SDMA) For adults who want help making decisions but do not want a guardian appointed. A modern alternative to guardianship.

7. Legacy Letter Not a legal document. The personal letter your family will actually read — values, stories, messages, gratitude.

Beneficiary and account paperwork

8. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts 401(k), IRA, 403(b). These pass outside the will. Update after every major life event.

9. Beneficiary designations on life insurance Same rule. Check after marriage, divorce, births, and deaths.

10. Beneficiary designations on bank and brokerage accounts "Payable on death" (POD) and "transfer on death" (TOD) designations skip probate.

11. Digital asset list Email, social accounts, cloud storage, photo libraries, domains, crypto wallets, subscriptions. Without this, accounts get frozen and content is lost.

Locations and access

12. Insurance policy locations Life, home, auto, umbrella, disability, long-term care. Carrier, policy number, agent contact.

13. Property deed locations Recorded deeds, title insurance, mortgage statements, HOA documents.

14. Financial account list Every bank, brokerage, retirement, and HSA account. Institution, account number, login hint.

15. Safe or lockbox location and combination Including the location of any keys.

16. Password manager master location Where the master key is stored and how the executor can access it.

Wishes and instructions

17. Funeral and burial preferences Burial vs. cremation, service type, plot ownership, prepayment status, music, readings.

18. Pet care instructions Who takes them, vet info, food, medications, behavioral notes. Consider a pet trust if needed.

19. Business succession plan If you own a business: who runs it, who can sign, buy-sell agreements, key person insurance.

Contacts and identifiers

20. List of important contacts Estate attorney, CPA, financial advisor, insurance agent, primary care physician.

21. Government identifiers Social Security number, passport, driver's license, military discharge papers (DD-214), birth certificate, marriage certificate.

22. Outstanding debts and recurring bills Mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, subscriptions to cancel.

23. Annual update reminder Every estate plan should be reviewed yearly and after major life events: marriage, divorce, birth, death, major asset purchase, move to a new state.

Where most families stand

If you have items 1, 8, 9, and a sticky note with your bank password, you are ahead of most adults. If you have all 23, you are ahead of most attorneys' clients.

VoiceWill™ covers the first six items in this checklist in a single guided conversation, then gives your family a secure Personal Vault for the rest.