The Complete Estate Planning Checklist for 2026

Estate planning feels overwhelming because it touches everything — legal documents, financial accounts, insurance, digital assets, crypto, subscriptions, and personal wishes. Most people put it off because they don't know where to start, and they're afraid of missing something important.

This checklist solves both problems. It covers every major category of estate planning, organized so you can work through it at your own pace. You don't need to complete everything in one sitting. Print it, bookmark it, or save it — and check things off as you go.

Category 1: Legal Documents

These are the foundation of any estate plan. Without them, state law decides what happens to your assets, and courts decide who manages your affairs.

[ ] **Last Will and Testament** — Specifies how your assets are distributed, names an executor, and names guardians for minor children. Every adult needs a will.
[ ] **Revocable Living Trust** — Allows assets to pass to beneficiaries without going through probate. Not essential for everyone, but valuable for larger estates or complex situations.
[ ] **Durable Power of Attorney (Financial)** — Designates someone to manage your finances if you become incapacitated. Without this, your family may need a court-appointed conservator.
[ ] **Healthcare Power of Attorney / Healthcare Proxy** — Designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you can't make them yourself.
[ ] **Living Will / Advance Directive** — Documents your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, and end-of-life care.
[ ] **HIPAA Authorization** — Allows your designated agents to access your medical records and communicate with your healthcare providers.
[ ] **Beneficiary Designation Review** — Check every account that has beneficiary designations (401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance, bank accounts with POD/TOD). These override your will.
[ ] **Letter of Intent** — A non-binding document that provides guidance to your executor and family about your wishes, values, and preferences.

When to update: After any major life event (marriage, divorce, birth, death, major financial change) and at least every 3-5 years regardless.

Category 2: Financial Accounts

Your executor needs to know what accounts exist, where they're held, and how to access them.

[ ] **List all bank accounts** — Checking, savings, money market, CDs. Include bank name, account numbers, and whether they have POD (payable on death) designations.
[ ] **List all brokerage accounts** — Taxable investment accounts, including the firm name, account numbers, and named beneficiaries or TOD (transfer on death) designations.
[ ] **List all retirement accounts** — 401(k)s, 403(b)s, IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, pensions. Include plan administrator, account numbers, and beneficiary designations. See our guides on [401(k) beneficiaries](/blog/401k-beneficiary-after-death) and [inherited IRA rules](/blog/inherited-ira-rules-2024).
[ ] **List HSAs and FSAs** — Health Savings Accounts (these have beneficiary designations) and Flexible Spending Accounts.
[ ] **List 529 education savings plans** — Include the plan name, account holder, beneficiary, and successor owner.
[ ] **Document outstanding debts** — Mortgages, car loans, student loans, credit cards, personal loans. Include lender, account number, and balance.
[ ] **Document business interests** — LLC membership interests, S-corp shares, partnership interests, sole proprietorships. Include ownership percentages, operating agreements, and buy-sell agreements.
[ ] **Safe deposit boxes** — Location, key location, authorized signers, and general contents.

Category 3: Insurance Policies

Insurance can be the most time-sensitive category after a death. Life insurance claims should be filed immediately. See our life insurance guide for details.

[ ] **Life insurance policies** — List every policy: company, policy number, type (term/whole/universal), death benefit amount, beneficiaries, and agent contact. Include both individual and group/employer policies.
[ ] **Health insurance** — Current provider, policy number, covered dependents. Surviving dependents may need to transition to COBRA or marketplace coverage.
[ ] **Homeowner's / renter's insurance** — Company, policy number, coverage amounts. Policies may need to be updated to reflect the change in ownership.
[ ] **Auto insurance** — Company, policy number, vehicles covered.
[ ] **Umbrella / liability insurance** — Company, policy number, coverage amount.
[ ] **Long-term care insurance** — Company, policy number, benefit details.
[ ] **Disability insurance** — Company, policy number (relevant if you become incapacitated rather than dying).
[ ] **Annuities** — Company, contract number, beneficiaries, type (fixed/variable), payout options.

Category 4: Digital Accounts and Subscriptions

The average person has 100+ online accounts. Your executor needs to find them, access them, and decide what to do with each one. See our digital estate planning guide for a comprehensive overview.

[ ] **Primary email accounts** — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, iCloud, ProtonMail. Email is the master key to resetting passwords on everything else.
[ ] **Secondary email accounts** — Work email, old email accounts that may still receive important communications.
[ ] **Password manager** — Which one you use, how to access it (master password location or emergency access setup). See our [password manager guide](/blog/password-manager-estate-planning).
[ ] **Social media accounts** — Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, TikTok, Reddit. Document your preferences for memorialization vs. deletion. See our guides for [Facebook](/blog/facebook-account-after-death) and [Google](/blog/google-account-after-death).
[ ] **Streaming subscriptions** — Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube Premium, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video. See our guides for [Netflix](/blog/netflix-account-after-death) and [Spotify](/blog/spotify-account-after-death).
[ ] **Software subscriptions** — Adobe, Microsoft 365, antivirus, VPN, design tools, productivity apps.
[ ] **Cloud storage** — Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive, Box. Note any important files stored in each.
[ ] **Shopping accounts** — Amazon (see our [Amazon guide](/blog/amazon-account-after-death)), eBay, Etsy, Walmart, etc.
[ ] **Payment apps** — Venmo (see our [Venmo guide](/blog/what-happens-to-venmo-after-death)), PayPal, Cash App, Zelle, Apple Pay Cash.
[ ] **All other subscriptions** — Gym, meal kits, news sites, SaaS tools, Patreon, membership sites.

Category 5: Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Assets

Crypto requires special handling because access can be permanently lost. See our crypto estate planning guide.

[ ] **Exchange accounts** — Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, Binance, etc. Include email, 2FA method, and approximate holdings. See our [Coinbase guide](/blog/coinbase-account-after-death).
[ ] **Hardware wallets** — Ledger, Trezor, Coldcard. Document device location, PIN, and critically, the seed phrase.
[ ] **Software wallets** — MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Phantom, etc. Document which blockchains and tokens are held.
[ ] **Seed phrases** — Store securely with zero-knowledge encryption (like Passed Plan). Include any additional passphrases (25th word).
[ ] **DeFi positions** — Liquidity pools, staking, lending, yield farming. Document protocols, position types, and approximate values.
[ ] **NFTs** — Collections, marketplaces used, and approximate values.
[ ] **Mining or staking operations** — Hardware locations, pool memberships, validator nodes.

Category 6: Real Property and Vehicles

While not strictly "digital," these physical assets need to be documented in your estate plan.

[ ] **Real estate** — Address, ownership type (sole, joint, tenants in common, community property), mortgage details, title company, current value estimate.
[ ] **Vehicles** — Make, model, year, VIN, title location, loan details.
[ ] **Other titled property** — Boats, RVs, aircraft, trailers.
[ ] **Rental properties** — Include tenant information, lease terms, property management contacts.
[ ] **Storage units** — Location, unit number, access code, contents.

Category 7: Government Benefits and Programs

[ ] **Social Security** — Your SSN, current benefit status, estimated benefits. See our [survivor benefits guide](/blog/social-security-survivor-benefits).
[ ] **Medicare / Medicaid** — Enrollment status, plan details.
[ ] **Veterans benefits** — VA file number, benefits received, potential survivor benefits.
[ ] **Pension benefits** — Government or private pensions, survivor benefit options.

Category 8: Personal Wishes and Instructions

These aren't legally binding like a will, but they provide invaluable guidance to your family.

[ ] **Funeral and burial preferences** — Burial vs. cremation, location, religious ceremonies, specific wishes, pre-paid funeral plans.
[ ] **Organ donation preferences** — Whether you're a registered donor, any specific wishes.
[ ] **Pet care instructions** — Who should care for your pets, veterinarian information, special needs.
[ ] **Digital legacy wishes** — What should happen to social media, email, websites, blogs.
[ ] **Important contacts** — Attorney, accountant, financial advisor, insurance agent, close friends who should be notified.
[ ] **Location of important documents** — Physical files, safe combinations, safe deposit box keys.
[ ] **Sentimental items** — Specific bequests of items with emotional value that may not be covered in the will.

How to Use This Checklist

Start Small Don't try to complete everything at once. Start with the highest-impact items: 1. Legal documents (especially a will and powers of attorney) 2. Life insurance documentation 3. Financial account inventory 4. Primary email and password manager access

Work Through It Over Time Set a recurring calendar reminder — monthly or quarterly — to work on a few more items. The goal is steady progress, not perfection.

Store It Securely A checklist is only useful if your executor can find it. Options: - Passed Plan: Designed specifically for this purpose. Zero-knowledge encryption ensures security, and the dead man's switch ensures delivery to your beneficiaries. - Physical binder: Keep in a fireproof safe with your will and other legal documents. Tell your executor where it is. - Attorney: Some people leave a copy with their estate planning attorney.

Keep It Updated Life changes constantly — new accounts, closed accounts, changed passwords, new beneficiaries. Review your plan at least annually and after every major life event.

The 2026 Federal Estate Tax Landscape

A few important numbers for 2026 estate planning:

**Federal estate tax exemption**: $13.61 million per individual ($27.22 million for married couples)
**Federal estate tax rate**: 40% on amounts exceeding the exemption
**Annual gift tax exclusion**: $19,000 per recipient
**Step-up in basis**: Remains available for qualifying assets. See our [step-up in basis guide](/blog/step-up-in-basis-explained).
**SECURE Act 10-year rule**: In full effect for inherited retirement accounts.

Important note: The current high exemption amounts are scheduled to sunset after 2025 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but Congress extended them. Monitor legislative developments and consult with a tax professional for the latest.

Start Today

The best estate plan is one that exists. A perfect plan you never create is worth nothing. An imperfect plan you start today is worth everything to your family.

Begin with the items you can complete in 10 minutes: list your bank accounts, check your beneficiary designations, and set up a Legacy Contact on Apple or Inactive Account Manager on Google. Then build from there.

Passed Plan makes this process manageable by giving you a structured, secure place to document everything on this checklist — with the confidence that it will reach your loved ones when they need it most.

Your estate plan is your final act of care for the people you love. Start it today.