ESTATE PLANNING CHECKLIST

Find out if you're ready or if you need a helping hand.

Our estate planning checklist will help you know if you’re ready.

Estate planning is something all of us need to consider regardless of how much wealth we have. An estate plan can distribute personal property (jewelry, furnishings, cars, etc.) and financial assets (stocks, bonds, real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds, etc.) as well as inform others about a person’s wishes concerning financial and caretaking issues if someone can no longer manage his or her affairs.

Check the items below and submit your checklist at the bottom of the page. We’ll help you find solutions to your estate planning needs:

    • to help you organize your loved one's care. You also may need to hire persons who can prepare meals and provide home health care.
    • on your loved one’s medical condition and any legal or financial matters.
    • to stay current on your loved one's mental and physical health. Most health care providers require you to have written permission from your loved one to allow them to discuss medical issues with you.
    • in Texas who can provide the best advice about end of life decisions including wills and whether a person should create a trust.
    • A will specifies an executor who is responsible for managing a person's estate and can determine who receives a person's property when he or she passes away. A trust helps someone make sure that his or her assets will continue to be managed according to his or her wishes.
    • which permits a person to direct what medical treatment he or she wants to receive if he or she has a serious illness or injury and who will have the authority to manage medical treatment.
    • to carry out the individual's wishes. Selecting an executor or trustee is most important to the success of a will. A person should consider if the one he or she wants to name as his or her executor or trustee is prepared to manage the person's financial affairs.
    • which allows a person to name someone he or she trusts to transact business and handle his affairs if the person becomes incapacitated.
    • among family members. Speak with family members and your loved one about what needs to be done to provide care. Often, a durable power of attorney and a medical power of attorney are needed to allow one or more persons to manage the affairs of another person.

    Have you completed all the above items on our checklist? Just need some advice? Fill in your name and email below and we will help you find answers.



    Seeking help for:

    We do not hire caregivers or home health workers. Please do not submit this form if you are seeking employment.


    Elder Care Consultants of Texas does not give legal or tax advice but can help you locate Texas estate planning attorneys to advise you about powers of attorney, wills and other estate planning issues. Our network of accountants can assist you with tax advice and planning. We are available to help trust and estates attorneys, accountants, executors or trustees carry out their responsibilities under a will or trust.

    Checklist sources: USAA Advice Center & Mayo Clinic