Comprehensive Will Planning Checklist

Personal Information & Legal Requirements

• Full legal name and address
• Date of birth and Social Security number
• Spouse's full name (if applicable)
• Children's full names and dates of birth
• Witness requirements (typically 2-3 witnesses depending on state)
• Notarization (if required in your state)

Financial Assets

• Bank accounts (checking, savings, money market)
• Investment accounts (brokerage, mutual funds, stocks, bonds)
• Retirement accounts (401k, IRA, Roth IRA)
• Life insurance policies
• Annuities
• Cryptocurrency holdings
• Business interests or partnerships
• Debts owed to you
• Safety deposit box contents

Real Estate & Property

• Primary residence
• Vacation homes or rental properties
• Undeveloped land
• Timeshares
• Mobile homes

Personal Property

• Vehicles (cars, boats, motorcycles, RVs)
• Jewelry and precious metals
• Artwork and collectibles
• Antiques and heirlooms
• Electronics and appliances
• Furniture and household items
• Tools and equipment
• Clothing and personal effects
• Books and media collections

Digital Assets

• Online banking and investment accounts
• Social media accounts
• Email accounts
• Digital photos and files
• Domain names and websites
• Digital currencies
• Online business accounts
• Subscription services

Important Documents & Information

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decrees
• Social Security cards
• Passports
• Military records
• Insurance policies
• Tax returns
• Medical records
• Property deeds and titles
• Investment account statements
• Business documents

Key Appointments & Designations

• Executor/Personal Representative
• Alternate executor
• Guardian for minor children
• Trustee (if establishing trusts)
• Power of attorney (financial and healthcare)
• Healthcare proxy/medical power of attorney

Beneficiary Designations

• Primary beneficiaries for each asset
• Contingent beneficiaries
• Specific bequests (who gets what)
• Residuary clause (what happens to remaining assets)
• Charitable donations

Special Considerations

• Funeral and burial preferences
• Organ donation wishes
• Pet care arrangements
• Care instructions for dependents with special needs
• Family business succession plans
• Intellectual property rights
• Royalties or licensing agreements

Professional Services You May Need

• Estate planning attorney
• Financial advisor
• Accountant/CPA
• Insurance agent
• Bank trust officer
• Appraiser (for valuable items)

Review & Maintenance

• Annual review of will
• Update after major life events (marriage, divorce, births, deaths)
• Review beneficiary designations on accounts
• Keep will in secure, accessible location
• Inform executor of will's location
• Consider digital storage backup

Additional Estate Planning Documents

• Living will/advance directive
• Healthcare power of attorney
• Financial power of attorney
• HIPAA authorization forms
• Trust documents (if applicable)
• Pour-over will (if you have a trust)

Notes

• Consult with an estate planning attorney to ensure your will complies with your state's laws
• Consider the tax implications of your estate plan
• Review and update beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies
• Keep detailed records of all assets and their locations
• Consider whether a trust might be beneficial for your situation