Free Guide

The Complete Estate Planning Checklist

A free printable checklist covering your will, beneficiaries, digital assets and final wishes — so nothing important gets missed. No email required.

Use this checklist to make sure your estate plan is complete. Print it, work through it at your own pace, and tick each item as you go. Most people can cover the essentials in a weekend.

1. The essential documents

  • A valid, signed and witnessed will — you can draft one free here, then have an attorney review it and sign it in front of witnesses.
  • A power of attorney for finances.
  • A healthcare directive / living will.
  • Beneficiary designations on accounts and policies (these override your will).

2. People

  • Executor named (plus a backup).
  • Guardians named for any minor children.
  • Beneficiaries listed clearly, with backups.
  • Everyone who needs to know has been told their role.

3. Your assets

  • Property and real estate.
  • All bank and savings accounts (including dormant and online-only).
  • Investments, pensions and retirement accounts.
  • Life insurance policies.
  • Vehicles and valuables.
  • Business interests.

4. Digital assets (often forgotten)

  • Cryptocurrency wallets and exchange accounts.
  • Online financial accounts (PayPal, Wise, brokerage apps).
  • Domains, websites and online income.
  • Photo libraries, email and social accounts.
For each asset, the key question is: *would my family know it exists, and know how to claim it?* If not, record it in a secure vault — instructions only, never passwords.

5. Final wishes

  • Funeral or memorial preferences.
  • Any charitable gifts.
  • A letter of wishes for personal items and messages.

6. Keep it current

  • Review after marriage, divorce, births or deaths.
  • Update whenever you open or close major accounts.
  • Re-check at least every two to three years.

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Frequently asked questions

What should be included in an estate plan?

At minimum: a valid will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, up-to-date beneficiary designations, a complete asset inventory (including digital assets), and your final wishes.

Is this estate planning checklist free?

Yes. The full checklist is free to read, print, or save as a PDF, with no payment required.

A note on legal advice

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Passing-On is not a law firm. Estate and inheritance rules vary by state and change over time, so please consult a qualified professional about your own situation. Our free will writer produces a draft only — it has not been reviewed by a lawyer, and it has no legal effect until an attorney has looked it over and you have signed and witnessed it correctly.