Estate Planning Essentials: A Simple Starting Checklist
Estate planning has a way of sitting on the to-do list indefinitely. It's not urgent, until it suddenly is. This checklist breaks the essentials into manageable pieces, so you can move from "I'll get to it" to "I know where I stand."
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical directives all sound similar but serve different purposes. Get clear on what applies to your situation before you sit down with an attorney.
From guardianship to executors to beneficiaries, the people you designate matter as much as the documents themselves. This checklist helps you identify who needs to be named, and where.
An estate plan only helps if the people you love know it exists. Map out your emergency file, digital access, and who needs to be in the loop before it becomes urgent.
Estate Planning Essentials: A Simple Starting Checklist
Estate planning has a way of sitting on the to-do list indefinitely. It's not urgent, until it suddenly is. This checklist breaks the essentials into manageable pieces, so you can move from "I'll get to it" to "I know where I stand."
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical directives all sound similar but serve different purposes. Get clear on what applies to your situation before you sit down with an attorney.
From guardianship to executors to beneficiaries, the people you designate matter as much as the documents themselves. This checklist helps you identify who needs to be named, and where.
An estate plan only helps if the people you love know it exists. Map out your emergency file, digital access, and who needs to be in the loop before it becomes urgent.
Estate Planning Essentials: A Simple Starting Checklist
Estate planning has a way of sitting on the to-do list indefinitely. It's not urgent, until it suddenly is. This checklist breaks the essentials into manageable pieces, so you can move from "I'll get to it" to "I know where I stand."
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical directives all sound similar but serve different purposes. Get clear on what applies to your situation before you sit down with an attorney.
From guardianship to executors to beneficiaries, the people you designate matter as much as the documents themselves. This checklist helps you identify who needs to be named, and where.
An estate plan only helps if the people you love know it exists. Map out your emergency file, digital access, and who needs to be in the loop before it becomes urgent.
Estate Planning Essentials: A Simple Starting Checklist
Estate planning has a way of sitting on the to-do list indefinitely. It's not urgent, until it suddenly is. This checklist breaks the essentials into manageable pieces, so you can move from "I'll get to it" to "I know where I stand."
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical directives all sound similar but serve different purposes. Get clear on what applies to your situation before you sit down with an attorney.
From guardianship to executors to beneficiaries, the people you designate matter as much as the documents themselves. This checklist helps you identify who needs to be named, and where.
An estate plan only helps if the people you love know it exists. Map out your emergency file, digital access, and who needs to be in the loop before it becomes urgent.
Estate planning can feel overwhelming, mostly because no one tells you where to start. This checklist changes that. It walks through the foundational documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, medical directives), key beneficiary and account reviews, and the emergency file details that make a plan usable when it matters most. Rather than prescribing what you need, it's built to help you understand your options and figure out your gaps, so your Fruition Mentor session can focus on the decisions that actually apply to you. Guardianship, executor selection, digital assets, and communicating your plan to loved ones are all included. Download the checklist to turn "I should really do that" into a plan you've actually started.
Additional reading from the Fruition blog
Susan Bischoff
Jun 17, 2025
7 min
Your fifties bring both urgency and opportunity to retirement planning. From catch-up contributions to healthcare gaps, discover strategies to secure your nearing retirement.
Fruition Personal Finance
Sep 4, 2025
8 min
Ever wonder what happens to your family if something happened to you tomorrow? 55% of Americans have zero estate planning documents. Don't leave your loved ones navigating legal chaos.
Stephanie Cote
CFEI®, CFEd®, Trauma of Money Certified Practitioner, HUD Housing Certified Counselor
Oct 31, 2025
7 min
Discover how the seven-generation mindset, rooted in Native American wisdom, can transform your approach to building wealth that lasts. Learn practical ways to create a legacy beyond your lifetime.
Susan Bischoff
Jun 10, 2025
7 min
Modern fortysomethings face unique challenges—from kindergarten graduations to career pivots. Discover strategies to accelerate retirement savings during this bustling stage.
Susan Bischoff
Jun 30, 2025
7 min
As you close in on your retirement goals, keep a close eye on your readiness for the next chapter ahead.
Financial terms to know
Pricing
Partners
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved by Fruition.
* Discount offer cannot be combined with other offers. Valid for monthly or yearly plans. Redeemable on web checkout only; not redeemable
on the Fruition mobile app. The promo code may expire or be deactivated at any time.
Pricing
Partners
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved by Fruition.
* Discount offer cannot be combined with other offers. Valid for monthly or yearly plans. Redeemable on web checkout only; not redeemable on the Fruition mobile app. The promo code may expire or be deactivated at any time.
Pricing
Partners
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved by Fruition.
* Discount offer cannot be combined with other offers. Valid for monthly or yearly plans. Redeemable on web checkout only; not redeemable on the Fruition mobile app. The promo code may expire or be deactivated at any time.
Pricing
Partners
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved by Fruition.
* Discount offer cannot be combined with other offers. Valid for monthly or yearly plans. Redeemable on web checkout only; not redeemable
on the Fruition mobile app. The promo code may expire or be deactivated at any time.