✓ Estate Organization Checklist
Essential Estate Documents
Keep the important pieces of your estate plan in one place
Use this printable roadmap to identify what applies, note where records are kept, and flag items needing follow-up. Avoid writing passwords, PINs, full account numbers, or other sensitive access information here.
Important: For educational and organizational purposes only. This checklist is not legal, tax, financial, or medical advice.
1. Last Will and Testament
Ask yourself
Document location
Attorney/law firm
Date last reviewed
2. Trust Documents
If you have established a trust
Why it matters
Trust name
Successor trustee
Document location
Date last reviewed
3. Durable Financial Power of Attorney
Why it matters
Primary agent
Successor agent
Document location
Date last reviewed
4. Health-Care Decision Documents
Names and requirements vary by state, but your records may include
Why it matters
Health-care decision maker
Alternate
Document location
Copies provided to
Date last reviewed
5. Beneficiary Designations
Gather or confirm beneficiary information for accounts such as
Why it matters
Date beneficiary designations were last reviewed
6. Property Ownership Documents
Primary document location
7. Personal and Family Records
8. Life Insurance and Annuity Documents
Primary insurance document location
Date beneficiaries last reviewed
9. Funeral, Burial and Final-Wishes Documents
If you have made arrangements or documented preferences, gather
Person who knows my wishes
Instructions located at
Final Organization Check
One Question to Ask Yourself
Notes and follow-up
Item or next stepPerson or date