Lawyers.com > Understand Your Legal Issue > Trusts Estates > Estate Planning > Estate Planning Information Checklist

The information you collect before making a will saves time and, potentially, money.

• Names and addresses of your immediate family members, other beneficiaries, and people you would like to serve as executors, trustees and guardians for your children
• Bank account information, such as balances, account numbers, locations of accounts and safe deposit boxes
• Pension and retirement account information, including IRAs, Keoghs, profit sharing plans, stock options and government benefits
• Detailed description of any stocks and bonds owned, and the location where they're stored
• Insurance policy information, including policy location and beneficiaries, as well as a copy of the actual policy
• An inventory list of valuable and sentimental personal possessions, including family heirlooms
• Copies of community property agreements, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, divorce decrees and any previous wills or will codicils
• An overall description of your income sources and assets, including real estate
• Information about any trusts you may have created or benefit from
• A list of debts you owe, including amounts and to whom they are owed, as well as a list of debts that are owed to you
• A list of specific "bequests" you want to make in your will, such as "$5,000 to my niece, Tipper"
• Recent tax returns (from at least the past three or four years)
• A list of any assets not included above

You may also wish to create a Living will or Power of Attorney document to include in your important document collection

Questions for Your Attorney

• How do you charge for your services?
• How can I reduce the taxes that my beneficiaries will owe after I die?
• Do you see any potential problems with the bequests I want to make?
• Have I made all of the necessary arrangements to take care of my young children?
• How frequently should I update my will?

Related Resources on Lawyers.com^sm

- Will Basics
- Executors
- Wills and Probate FAQ
- Types of Wills
- Beneficiaries in a Will
- Visit our Estates, Wills & Probate Message Board for more help