Flagship educational checklist

Build your estate-planning learning list

Answer a short set of organizational questions. The result is a list of subjects to learn about and discuss with qualified professionals—not a legal diagnosis, score, or personalized plan.

Privacy by designDo not enter names, account numbers, balances, passwords, private keys, medical details, or other sensitive information. General topic selections stay on this device in your browser and are not sent to The Estate Guide.

Planning inventory

For each question, choose whether the area appears current, may need review, or does not apply. “May need review” adds the linked subject to your learning list.

Do you have a current will?A will can nominate fiduciaries and direct probate property. Learn about Wills

Do you have a trust, or have you confirmed whether one is useful?A trust is not mandatory for everyone; purpose and funding matter. Learn about Trust planning

Do you have minor children or other dependents?Guardianship nominations and controlled inheritance can require coordination. Learn about Minor children and guardians

Do you own a business or closely held interest?Control, transfer restrictions, valuation, liquidity, and succession can intersect. Learn about Business succession

Do you own real estate in more than one state?Ancillary probate, title, entity ownership, and state tax may need review. Learn about Multistate real estate

Have you reviewed retirement, insurance, and transfer-on-death beneficiaries?Contract designations may override a will. Learn about Beneficiary designations

Do you have current financial and health-care authority documents?Death documents do not replace incapacity planning. Learn about Incapacity documents

Have you addressed digital assets and legal access?Access information, instructions, and legal authorization should be coordinated securely. Learn about Digital estate planning

Do you have charitable goals?Asset choice, timing, beneficiary forms, and charitable vehicles can produce different results. Learn about Charitable planning

Have you reviewed federal and state estate-tax exposure for the current year?Federal and state thresholds, deductions, elections, and filing rules differ. Learn about Estate-tax exposure

Plans are maintained, not finished

Events that often prompt a review

FamilyMarriage, divorce, birth, adoption, disability, death, or a beneficiary’s changed circumstances.
OwnershipBuying or selling a home, acquiring out-of-state property, starting a business, or receiving an inheritance.
PeopleA change involving an executor, trustee, guardian, agent, beneficiary, or professional advisor.
Law and taxA meaningful federal or state-law change, a move to another state, or a changed tax profile.
OperationsNew accounts, unfunded trust assets, outdated beneficiary forms, inaccessible digital assets, or missing records.

Build your estate-planning learning list

Your learning list

Events that often prompt a review

Start planning

Trusts

Taxes

Administration

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