ESTATE PLANNING CHECKLIST

 Core Documents

• ☐ Will in place
• ☐ Living trust (if appropriate)
• ☐ Power of attorney
• ☐ Healthcare directive

 Beneficiaries

• ☐ Retirement accounts reviewed (IRA, 401k)
• ☐ Transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts reviewed
• ☐ Life insurance beneficiaries updated
• ☐ Contingent beneficiaries named

 Real Estate

• ☐ How each property is titled reviewed
• ☐ Plan for what happens to real estate after death
• ☐ Trust ownership considered (if applicable)
• ☐ Rental or income property plan clarified

 Family Communication

• ☐ Heirs informed (age-appropriate)
• ☐ Executor identified and informed
• ☐ Unequal distributions explained privately

 Digital Estate

• ☐ Legacy contact named (Facebook, Apple, Google, etc.)
• ☐ Passwords and access stored securely
• ☐ Instructions for digital accounts documented

 Ongoing Review

• ☐ Beneficiaries reviewed every 2–3 years
• ☐ Plan updated after major life events
• ☐ Advisors aligned (financial, legal, real estate)

 Estate planning is not “one and done.” Small reviews prevent big problems.

The most important things to know:

• A will is essential, but often not enough on its own
• Trusts can offer flexibility, control, and probate avoidance

• Beneficiary designations override wills  and must be updated

• Your investment strategy should align with your legacy goals
• Talking openly with loved ones prevents confusion later
• Digital assets deserve planning too

If you own real estate, have children, or want to reduce stress for your family, a proactive plan makes a meaningful difference.

ESTATE PLANNING FOR REAL ESTATE OWNERS

What Real Estate Owners Should Know

Real estate often represents the largest and most complicated part of an estate.

Key considerations:

• How properties are titled matters more than many people realize
• Joint ownership, trusts, and TOD deeds function very differently
• Rental properties require clear succession planning
• Poor planning can force heirs into rushed sales or probate delays

Smart planning allows:

• Properties to transfer smoothly
• Heirs to avoid unnecessary legal costs
• Long-term value to be preserved

 Real estate should be planned, not left to chance.