Short answer
A useful estate-planning checklist covers four things: who matters, what you own, who can act, and what should happen during incapacity and after death. You do not need perfect records before starting.
People
List immediate family, dependents, other intended beneficiaries, and anyone whose disability, age, or circumstances may require special planning.
- Possible executor and backup
- Possible financial agent
- Health-care agent and backup
- Guardians for minor children
- Possible trustees
Property and obligations
Create a high-level inventory. Exact statements can come later.
- Homes, land, and timeshares
- Bank, investment, and retirement accounts
- Life insurance and beneficiary designations
- Business interests
- Debts and guarantees
- Digital assets and valuable personal property
Documents and follow-through
Bring current wills, trusts, powers, directives, deeds, and relevant agreements. Ask how beneficiary designations, ownership, document storage, and future review fit the plan.