Texas estate planning checklist

Your will

• Decide whether a simple will fits your situation
• Decide who should receive your property
• Choose an executorThe person who carries out the will.
• Choose a backup executor
• If you have minor children, consider a guardian
• Print and sign your completed will correctly
• Tell someone you trust where the original is stored

Medical & financial decisions

These are optional planning tools for many people. LoneStarWill does not prepare them. Official forms are available from Texas HHS.

• Consider a Medical Power of AttorneySomeone who can make health-care decisions if you cannot.
• Consider a Directive to Physicians / living willInstructions about certain medical treatment decisions.
• Consider a Durable Power of AttorneySomeone who can handle certain financial matters — not medical decisions.

Accounts & beneficiaries

• Review beneficiaries on retirement accounts
• Review life-insurance beneficiaries
• Review payable-on-death or transfer-on-death designations where they apply
• Make a list of important accounts and property

Important information

• List emergency contacts
• Record insurance information
• Record where important documents are stored
• Make a list of important digital accountsDo not write passwords on this checklist.

Keep it current

• Review after marriage or divorce
• Review after a birth or death
• Review after a major move
• Review after a major property or financial change
• Review beneficiary designations periodically