Estate planning checklist

We'll walk you through how to create and formalize your estate plan with our 4-step estate planning checklist.

Take inventory

  • Step

    Take inventory

    No matter how modest, everything you own is considered your estate. Taking stock of what you own is the first step in understanding how best to protect it. To start your estate plan:

    • List the value of your home and other real estate along with cars, jewelry, artwork, and other physical assets.
    • Gather recent statements from your bank, brokerage, and retirement accounts.
    • Include the location and contents of any safety deposit boxes or safes.
    • Make a list of all insurance policies, noting their cash values and death benefits.
    • List all liabilities, including mortgages, lines of credit, and other debt.

     

    What you can do now: 

    Use our Asset Inventory worksheet for a consolidated view of all the important details about your estate.

  • Step

    Draft your estate plan

    Prepare to meet with an estate planning attorney by answering these important questions about how to settle your affairs:

    • Who should inherit your assets, and in what proportions?
    • Who should care for your minor children?
    • How much is needed for your children's care and education?
    • Who should manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated?
    • Who should be responsible for distributing your assets?

     

    What you can do now:

    Get more details on estate planning essentials.

  • Step

    Put your estate plan into action

    When you're ready, meet with an estate planning attorney to draft your will, medical and financial powers of attorney, and trust documents, if applicable. Keep the tips below in mind.

    What you can do now:

    • If you set up a trust, fund it promptly. If you don't, the agreement won't take effect, and your assets may not pass to your beneficiaries as you intended.
    • Review and update the beneficiaries on all of your investment accounts, if needed.
    • Make sure that all assets that you want included in the trust are retitled to reflect this ownership change, and that you keep copies of the relevant documents.
    • Once your attorney has created your plan, clients can call our Trust and Estate Specialists at 800-742-6262 for answers about asset titling and beneficiary designations on your Schwab Bank, brokerage, and retirement accounts.

     

  • Step

    Update your estate plan regularly

    Review and update your documents and accounts as your situation changes or as current laws change.

    What you can do now:

    • Keep your beneficiary designations up to date so that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes.