Plan ahead. Protect your legacy. Reduce stress for the people you love.
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s for anyone who wants to make sure their family isn’t left guessing about their wishes, their money, or what to do next. This guide breaks it down into clear steps you can take right now—even if you’re just getting started.
1. Understand the Basics
Get familiar with what estate planning includes—wills, trusts, power of attorney, and more. You don’t need everything, but you should know what’s what.
👉 Read: Estate Planning Basics: What You Need to Know
2. Create or Update Your Will
A will is the cornerstone of most estate plans. It outlines who gets what and who will care for your dependents.
👉 Read: How to Write a Simple Will (Even If You’re Not Rich)
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3. Assign Power of Attorney
This allows someone you trust to manage your finances or healthcare if you’re unable to. It’s one of the most important (and overlooked) steps.
👉 Included in: The FREE Estate & Life Planning Starter Kit
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4. Complete a Living Will or Healthcare Directive
This document explains your wishes about medical treatment if you can’t speak for yourself.
👉 Included in: The FREE Estate & Life Planning Starter Kit
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5. Review Your Beneficiaries
Make sure your 401(k)s, IRAs, insurance policies, and HSAs have up-to-date beneficiaries. These override your will.
👉 Included in: The FREE Estate & Life Planning Starter Kit
👉 Read: Why Your Beneficiaries Matter More Than You Think
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6. Write a Letter of Intent
This isn’t a legal document, but it tells your loved ones how to handle personal matters—like pet care, passwords, or funeral preferences.
👉 Included in: The FREE Estate & Life Planning Starter Kit
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7. Organize Your Important Documents
From your will to your passwords, everything should be easy to find when your family needs it most.
👉 Included in: The FREE Estate & Life Planning Starter Kit
👉 Read: How to Organize Your Important Financial Documents
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8. Understand What Needs to Be Notarized
Some documents (like a will or POA) may need to be notarized or signed by witnesses. Requirements vary by state.
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9. Store and Share Safely
Make sure at least one trusted person knows where your documents are—and how to access them if needed.
👉 Read: How to Store Estate Planning Documents Safely
10. Review and Refresh Regularly
Estate planning isn’t “one and done.” Review your plan yearly or after any big life change (marriage, kids, divorce, etc.).
👉 Read: Estate Planning Basics: What You Need to Know
📘 Estate & Life Planning Starter Kit
Need help getting it all done? This printable kit includes all the tools you need to create, organize, and communicate your plan—without the overwhelm.
What’s inside:
- Estate Planning Checklist
- Simple Will Preparation Checklist
- Important Documents Organizer
- Beneficiary Overview Worksheet
- Healthcare & POA Worksheets
- Letter of Intent Template
- Digital Password Keeper
- Printable Cover Page
📋 Quick Estate Planning Checklist
- ✅ Learn estate planning essentials
- ✅ Will created or updated
- ✅ Power of attorney assigned
- ✅ Healthcare directive completed
- ✅ Beneficiaries reviewed and updated
- ✅ Letter of intent written
- ✅ Documents organized and stored
- ✅ Notarization requirements confirmed
- ✅ Trusted person informed
- ✅ Plan reviewed and refreshed
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