Legacy Planning Checklist

Protect your family

• Write or update your willName an executor and say who receives what.
• Name guardians for minor childrenUsually done in your will. Ask the people first.
• Get enough life insuranceUse the coverage calculator, then compare quotes.
• Review every beneficiary designationRetirement accounts, insurance and bank accounts. These override your will.

Plan for incapacity

• Financial power of attorneySomeone you trust to handle money if you cannot.
• Healthcare directive / living willWrite down the care you would and would not want.
• Healthcare proxyName a person to make medical decisions for you.
• Share your doctors and medications listStore it where your proxy can find it.

Organize your affairs

• Create an asset & account inventoryBanks, investments, property, pensions, debts.
• Set up a password manager with emergency accessYour digital accounts are part of your estate.
• Use platforms' legacy-contact featuresEmail, phone, photo and social accounts.
• Store original documents safelyTell your executor where they are.

Leave more than money

• Write a letter of instructionPractical wishes, contacts and where things are.
• Record your story or an ethical willValues, lessons and memories for the next generation.
• Decide on funeral and memorial wishesSaves your family hard decisions.
• Choose causes you want to supportCharitable gifts can be part of your plan.

Keep it current

• Consider a trust if you own property in several placesAsk an estate lawyer if probate avoidance makes sense.
• Review your plan every 3 to 5 yearsAnd after marriage, divorce, births, moves or deaths.
• Tell your executor and family where everything isA plan nobody can find does not help.
• Book a session with an estate-planning professionalRules differ by country, state and province.