Resource · Estate & Legacy
Estate Essentials Checklist
The documents, beneficiaries, and conversations every estate plan should cover.
If something happens to you, the right documents can turn a confusing time into a manageable one for your family. This checklist covers the documents every adult needs, where they should live, and who needs to know about them.
What’s inside
The four core documents
A will, a durable power of attorney, a healthcare directive, and a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization, which lets named people receive your medical information.
Beneficiary forms
Why the beneficiary form on file for retirement accounts and life insurance overrides your will, and how often to review it.
Where everything lives
Where to keep originals, copies, and digital records so your family can find them.
Who needs to know what
What your executor, financial agent, healthcare agent, and spouse or partner each need to know.
Review triggers
The life events that call for a fresh look at your documents.
Bring it to your next review
Download the checklist and bring it to your next meeting. We don’t draft legal documents, but we help make sure yours exist, stay current, and match your plan.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not individualized advice.