Estate Planning Checklist 2026: 75+ Items Across 9 Categories
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy. If you have any assets, dependents, or people who rely on you, you need a plan. Use this quick-reference checklist to see where you stand — then use the step-by-step guide below to complete each section.
📋 Legal Documents
- ☐Last will and testament
- ☐Revocable living trust (if applicable)
- ☐Durable financial power of attorney
- ☐Healthcare power of attorney
- ☐Living will / advance healthcare directive
- ☐HIPAA authorization form
- ☐Letter of instruction (informal guide for family)
- ☐Guardianship designation for minor children
🏦 Financial Accounts
- ☐Checking and savings accounts (bank, branch, account #)
- ☐Investment and brokerage accounts
- ☐401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, pension accounts
- ☐Health Savings Account (HSA) or FSA
- ☐Certificates of deposit (CDs)
- ☐Cryptocurrency wallets and access instructions
- ☐Business ownership interests (if applicable)
- ☐Unclaimed property / dormant accounts check
- ☐Trusts you're a beneficiary of
🛡️ Insurance Policies
- ☐Term vs. whole life documentation
- ☐Health insurance — plan, ID numbers, employer or marketplace info
- ☐Dental and vision insurance
- ☐Homeowner's or renter's insurance
- ☐Auto insurance
- ☐Umbrella liability policy
- ☐Long-term care insurance
- ☐Disability insurance
- ☐Annuities
🏠 Real Estate & Property
- ☐Primary residence deed and mortgage info
- ☐Rental or investment properties
- ☐Vacation or secondary home
- ☐Storage units or safe deposit boxes
- ☐Vehicle titles (cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles)
- ☐Timeshares
- ☐Mineral rights or land interests
💻 Digital Assets
- ☐Email accounts (provider + recovery email)
- ☐Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
- ☐Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud)
- ☐Subscription services to cancel
- ☐Domain names or websites you own
- ☐Digital photo libraries
- ☐Online business accounts or storefronts
- ☐Password manager instructions (not the master password)
📬 Beneficiary Designations
- ☐Life insurance beneficiaries reviewed
- ☐401(k) and IRA beneficiaries reviewed
- ☐Bank account POD (payable on death) designations
- ☐Brokerage account TOD (transfer on death) designations
- ☐Contingent beneficiaries named for all accounts
- ☐Beneficiary info updated after marriage, divorce, or death
🕊️ End-of-Life Wishes
- ☐Burial vs. cremation preference documented
- ☐Funeral home preference or pre-arrangement
- ☐Obituary notes or preferences
- ☐Memorial service wishes
- ☐Organ donation preference (on ID and in writing)
- ☐DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order if applicable
- ☐Specific bequests (sentimental items, heirlooms)
👥 Key Contacts & Agents
- ☐Estate attorney name and contact
- ☐Financial advisor name and contact
- ☐Accountant / CPA name and contact
- ☐Executor of will — confirmed they know
- ☐Financial power of attorney — confirmed they know
- ☐Healthcare agent — confirmed they know
🐾 Pets & Other
- ☐Named pet guardian
- ☐Vet name and contact info
- ☐Pet medications and care instructions
- ☐Funds set aside for pet care
- ☐Club memberships to cancel
- ☐Recurring donations to notify
- ☐Smart home passwords and device info
Want to check these off digitally?
MyLifeLedger walks you through every item above with guided prompts — organized by section, encrypted, and shareable with your family. Most people finish in 60–90 minutes.
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The 15-Step Guide: How to Complete Your Estate Plan
The checklist above is your master list. This 15-step guide covers how to complete each section — from drafting a will to talking to your family.
Progress tip: You don't have to do all 15 steps at once. Start with steps 1, 3, 4, and 9 — those cover the essentials. Then work through the rest over time.
Create or update your will
Name who inherits your assets, who raises your children, and who manages the process (executor).
How to write a will →Consider a revocable living trust
If you own property in multiple states, want privacy, or want to avoid probate, a trust may be worth the investment.
Trust vs will comparison →Sign a durable financial power of attorney
Authorizes someone to manage your finances if you're incapacitated. Without one, your family needs a court order.
POA guide →Sign a healthcare power of attorney
Authorizes someone to make medical decisions if you can't speak for yourself. Different from a living will.
POA types explained →Create a living will / healthcare directive
Documents your wishes about life support, resuscitation, organ donation, and end-of-life care.
What is a healthcare directive? →Review all beneficiary designations
Check beneficiaries on life insurance, 401k, IRA, bank accounts, and annuities. These override your will.
Full document list →Get adequate life insurance
Enough to replace your income, pay off debts, and fund your children's education if applicable.
Get disability insurance
You're more likely to be disabled than to die young. Disability insurance replaces income if you can't work.
Document all accounts and assets
List every bank account, investment, property, vehicle, insurance policy, and debt — with account numbers and locations.
Do this in MyLifeLedger →Plan for digital assets
Email, social media, cloud storage, crypto, and online accounts. Document access instructions for each.
Digital estate guide →Create a pet plan
Name a pet guardian, document vet info, medications, feeding schedules, and set aside funds for care.
Pet planning guide →Organize important documents
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, Social Security cards, tax returns, deeds, and titles — all in one accessible place.
Document organization guide →Share your plan with trusted people
Tell your executor, healthcare agent, and financial POA where to find everything. Consider sharing access via MyLifeLedger.
How sharing works →Review and update annually
Life changes — marriage, divorce, births, deaths, moves, new assets. Review your plan at least once a year.
Have the conversation
Tell your family your wishes. The best plan in the world fails if nobody knows about it.
How to start the conversation →Related Guides
Complete step #9 right now.
MyLifeLedger walks you through documenting every account, policy, and document — section by section. Most people finish in under 60 minutes.
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