Estate Planning

There are some wonderful resources out there explaining what steps to take, but the important part is to get started and follow through! Your loved ones will be in enough pain with losing you that the more you can simplify your estate details the better. Check out the links in the additional article/resources section at the bottom of the page to see suggestions for estate planning with regards to the legal requirements for each state. Set aside some time and get to work. You don't know when your last day will come and it is best to be prepared.

Everyone, regardless of age, should have the following. We've created an estate planning template that you can copy and fill in the parts applicable to you. Keep in mind couples should complete separate templates even though some information (such as financial information) may be duplicated.

• Personal:
  • Instructions and biographical information
    • Documents: SS card, Birth certificate, death certificates, marriage certificates etc.
    • Who to notify and contact information (friends, family, associates, professional services, utilities, etc.)
    • If applicable: final wishes for children/dependents, pets, etc. Choose guardians and provide them with written guidance outlining your values and what you hope your children will learn
    • Online profiles: emails, Amazon, PayPal, eBay, social media, usernames and pw if necessary
• Medical:
  • Health care directive: DNR, living will (identify your wishes regarding life support)
  • Medical power of attorney also called health care proxy (able to make medical decisions if you're unable)
  • Doctors/dentists/medical professionals contact information
  • Medical history (such as blood type, surgeries, physical or mental illnesses, and medical conditions) for the individual and his or her parents and grandparents
  • Medication list, dosages, pharmacies, doctors associated, any on auto-renewal?
  • Health insurance policies
• Financial:
  • Will - clearly define your wishes and what you hope will happen after you pass, attorney name, etc.
  • Trust - Avoid probate costs by creating a trust to protect your assets, named attorney and bank accounts associated with it
  • Durable power of attorney for finances - name, law firm, and legal documents
  • Financial information
    • List of all accounts assets and liabilities (bank accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, pensions, credit card info (card numbers, exp. date, statements), money market, CDs, mortgages/loans, etc.) login/pw information, recent statements, etc.
    • Real estate/property details, deeds, utilities (auto-pay, details), taxes, bills, insurance, etc.
    • Taxes (prior years, property(s) and income)
    • Vehicles (titles, service records, registration, insurance, etc.)
    • Government benefits
    • Service providers (medical, dental, etc.)
    • Secured places and passwords (safe deposit box if applicable, hidden places, keys, etc.)
    • Insurance details (life if applicable)
    • Professional advisers (lawyer, accountant, etc.)
    • Subscriptions
    • BONUS: Family heirloom descriptions to carry on the family history, stories, etc.
• Final wishes:
  • Organ/body donation
  • Burial or cremation (plot location, documents, headstone/plaque, inscription, etc)
  • Funeral or memorial service (closed/open casket, burial clothes/objects, funeral home, invitees, pallbearers, memorabilia, flowers/donation organizations, church, service structure, music, scriptures/readings, family/friends memories, reception location, catering, etc.)
  • Obituary or death notice
  • Gift list of objects for loved ones with final messages
  • Legacy wish statement