Estate Planning Document Checklist: Everything You Need
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy. Everyone needs basic documents to protect their family and assets. Without them, courts decide who gets what, doctors can't follow your wishes, and your family faces unnecessary stress. Here's what you need.
The Essential Four Documents
At minimum, every adult needs these four documents. Without them, state law and courts make decisions for you.
- Last Will and Testament — who gets your assets and who cares for minor children
- Durable Power of Attorney — who manages your finances if you're incapacitated
- Healthcare Power of Attorney — who makes medical decisions for you
- Living Will / Advance Directive — your wishes for end-of-life care
Asset Inventory
Your executor needs to know what you own, where it is, and how to access it. A complete asset inventory is arguably the most practical document in estate planning.
- List all properties with addresses, values, and mortgage details
- List all financial accounts (bank, investment, retirement)
- List all insurance policies with policy numbers and agents
- Document all valuable personal property (jewelry, art, vehicles, collectibles)
- Include digital assets: email accounts, social media, cryptocurrency, online subscriptions
- PAMKIT creates this inventory automatically as you track your assets
Beneficiary Designations
Some assets pass outside of your will via beneficiary designations. These override your will, so keeping them updated is critical.
- Life insurance policies — check beneficiaries are current
- Retirement accounts (401k, IRA) — update after marriage, divorce, births
- Bank accounts with POD (payable on death) designations
- Investment accounts with TOD (transfer on death) designations
- Review all beneficiaries after any major life event
Where to Store These Documents
Estate documents are useless if your family can't find them when they need them.
- Physical originals: fireproof safe at home or bank safe deposit box
- Digital copies: encrypted vault (like PAMKIT) shared with executor
- Tell your executor and family where documents are stored
- Attorney keeps copies of wills and trusts
- Do NOT store originals only in a bank safe deposit box — it may be sealed upon death
Checklist
- Last Will and Testament (drafted and signed)
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Living Will / Advance Directive
- Complete asset inventory (properties, accounts, valuables)
- Digital asset list (accounts, passwords, crypto)
- Insurance policy list with beneficiaries
- Retirement account beneficiary review
- Trust documents (if applicable)
- Guardianship designations for minor children
- Funeral/burial wishes documented
- Letter of instruction for executor
- Share document locations with executor and family
- Store digital copies in secure vault (PAMKIT)
- Review and update annually