Estate Planning Checklist

✔ Will
A will is the cornerstone of an estate plan. It allows you to say who gets what when
you die. A lawyer can help you draft a will or you can do it yourself online.
✔ Executor
An executor is responsible for carrying out your will. You can choose a family
member or a neutral third party, like a bank or lawyer.
✔ Financial Power of Attorney
This document outlines who you appoint to pay the bills and make financial
decisions should you be unable to do so. They could be limited to everyday
transactions, or you could grant them the power to sell real estate and give out
financial gifts.
✔ Healthcare Power of Attorney
This document names and legally empowers a person to review your medical records
and to make medical decisions on your behalf. A healthcare power of attorney would
come into play if you are incapacitated and unable to make these decisions.
✔ Living Will
A living will outlines what medical procedures you do and don’t want to have.
It can be used as a guide by your health care power of attorney.
✔ Guardian for Children
Upon your death, you may need someone to take care of your children’s needs.
This typically includes such things as shelter, education, food and medical care.
Guardians also usually manage the finances of the child.
✔ Trusts
You can set up a qualified trust to protect your assets as you pass them down to your heirs or to charities.