Legacy and End of Life Checklist

You are welcome to use this checklist to guide your estate and legacy planning and to aid your loved ones in gathering the information and documents they will need to administer your estate.

What is your vision for the future?

• What tangible assets would you like to leave to your children and grandchildren?

• What non-financial capital, such as family history, traditions, values, and goals would you like to convey to them?

Does your estate plan reflect your vision?

• Does your estate plan include the following: a will, a trust plan, durable powers of attorney for health care and financial matters, an advance directive or a living will?

• Have you designated beneficiaries on your financial accounts and life insurance policies and are those beneficiary designations up to date?

• Does your estate plan provide for children and grandchildren born after you signed the documents?

• Are your children or grandchildren facing unique circumstances that might impact their financial future and necessitate some changes in your current plan?

• When was the last time an estate attorney reviewed your plan with you? Create a schedule to update your plan with your attorney periodically to ensure your plan continues to reflect your vision and wishes.

Are your beneficiary designations current and up to date?

• Review your beneficiary designations with your professional advisors. Accounts and assets with beneficiary designations include retirement plans, IRAs, Roth IRAs, TOD accounts, life insurance policies, and annuities.

• Confirm that your accounts are properly titled and that the trust is properly funded if you have a living trust.

Identify and record the locations of your important documents so your executor or administrator can find them easily

Estate plan documents Passport and drivers license

Deeds and certificates of title Birth Certificate

Bank account statements Social Security card

Investment account statements Marriage and divorce certificates

Tax documents and returns Medical records

Promissory notes and loan statements Insurance policies

Discuss long-term care and diminished capacity issues with your family members

• Who will have decision making power in the event of a medical emergency, or your incapacity?

• Do your documents identify the people you want making these decisions for you?

  • Durable power of attorney for financial matters

  • Durable power of attorney for health care

  • Living Will/Advance Directive

  • Long-term care insurance policy

Make an Accessible Record of Your Digital Assets

• Include usernames, passwords, and management instructions.

• Securely store passwords for your phone, email, social media, and other online accounts and share access with someone you trust.

• Consider using a secure third-party password storage service.

• Identify accounts and apps that have automatic payments scheduled.

Identify all Financial Accounts

• Bank accounts, credit cards, loans, mortgages, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, private investments, and safe deposit boxes.

• Include website, username, and password for online access.

• Identify accounts that have automatic payments scheduled.

Real Estate and Personal Property

• Deeds, property tax statements, mortgage statements, rental income and expenses, leases, homeowners, and related insurance policies for each property.

• Certificate of title, loan documents, proof of registration and insurance for each automobile, RV, boat or other vehicle.

Household Service Providers and Utilities

• Make a list of utility companies and household service providers (other than those included in the Digital Assets section) and their contact information.

• Include landscapers, housekeepers, pet sitters and pest control, and make a note next to their name of anyone who has a key to your house, yard or garage.

Charitable Giving 

• List all charities and others you regularly donate to if 1) you would like them to be notified of your death, or 2) you named them as beneficiaries in your will or trust.

• If you have scheduled automatic donations to a charity, list the dates, amounts and source of funds for each scheduled donation.

Funeral and Final Arrangements

• Make a note of your funeral or memorial service arrangements and preferences.

• Include information on pre-paid funeral home or burial arrangements, if any.

Contact information

Include any contacts who should be notified of your death.

• Healthcare providers

• Lawyers

• Financial advisors

• Insurance agents

• Accountants

Download the Checklist Here