Legacy Planning Checklist

Organize the key pieces of your legacy plan—wills, trusts, beneficiaries, directives, and personal letters. Mark each item’s status to see your readiness score and identify the next best step.

Core will in place and reviewed
You have a current will that reflects your wishes and has been reviewed within the last 3–5 years.
Beneficiary designations updated
Retirement accounts, life insurance, and other beneficiary-based assets reflect your current intentions.
Healthcare directives and living will
You have documented your medical preferences and end-of-life wishes, and shared them with key people.
Financial power of attorney
You have designated someone to make financial decisions if you are unable to do so.
Trusts or estate structures (if needed)
You have considered and, if appropriate, implemented trusts or other structures for complex estates.
Digital assets and account access plan
You have a plan for passwords, digital assets, and online accounts, with clear instructions for trusted people.
Charitable and legacy giving intentions
You have documented any charitable bequests or legacy gifts you want to make.
Legacy letters and values communication
You have written letters or recorded messages to share your values, stories, and hopes with heirs.
Tip: Use “In progress” for items you’ve started but not finished. Aim to revisit this checklist annually.
Important: This checklist is for education and organization only. It does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. Work with qualified professionals to create, review, and implement your legacy plan.

Why legacy planning matters

Legacy planning is about more than documents—it’s about clarity, care, and continuity. A thoughtful plan can reduce stress for loved ones, align your wealth with your values, and preserve stories that might otherwise be lost.

Documents and decisions

Core elements like wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and powers of attorney ensure that someone you trust can act on your behalf and that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Keeping these documents current is an ongoing process, not a one-time task.

Conversations and values

Equally important are the conversations you have with family and the messages you leave behind. Legacy letters, recorded stories, and clear explanations of your intentions can reduce confusion and conflict, and help your heirs understand the “why” behind your decisions.

Using this checklist

  • Start by marking items as Not started, In progress, or Complete—be honest but gentle with yourself.
  • Use the notes fields to capture next steps, names of professionals, or questions you want to ask.
  • Revisit the checklist after major life events (marriage, divorce, birth, death, relocation) and every few years.
  • Export the CSV and bring it to meetings with attorneys or advisors to keep discussions focused and efficient.

Legacy planning is a gift to the people you care about. Even small steps—updating a beneficiary, drafting a letter—can make a meaningful difference in how your story continues after you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add more items?

This version includes eight core items. You can use the notes fields to track additional tasks, or export the CSV and add more rows in a spreadsheet.

What does the checkbox do?

The checkbox is a quick visual indicator that you consider the item “active” in your plan. It does not change the readiness score by itself; the score is based on the status dropdown.

How is the readiness score calculated?

The score is the percentage of items marked Complete out of the total items. In-progress items are counted separately so you can see momentum.

Does this replace an attorney?

No. The checklist is a planning aid, not a substitute for legal advice. Use it to prepare for meetings and keep track of action items.

Will my data be saved?

Statuses and notes are stored locally in your browser using localStorage so they persist between visits on the same device. You can clear them at any time by resetting your browser storage.

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Information on this site is for educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Calculations and scores are estimates and may not reflect actual outcomes. See our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.