Resources
Your Estate Planning Checklist
You don't have to figure this out alone, but it helps to know where you stand. Work through this list at your own pace — then bring your questions to a consultation.
1. Take stock
- List your major assets: home, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, life insurance, business interests
- Note how each asset is currently titled (individually, jointly, with a beneficiary named)
- Gather a rough list of debts and major financial obligations
2. Make your key decisions
- Decide who should inherit your property, and in what proportions
- Choose a guardian for any minor children
- Choose someone to manage your finances if you're unable to (financial power of attorney)
- Choose someone to make medical decisions if you're unable to (healthcare power of attorney)
- Consider whether any beneficiary has special needs and would need a special needs trust
3. Put it in writing
- Have a will drafted (at minimum) or a revocable living trust with a pour-over will
- Have your financial and healthcare powers of attorney drafted
- Review each document with your attorney until you fully understand it — don't sign anything you don't understand
4. Make it actually work
- Retitle assets into your trust if you have one ('funding' the trust)
- Update beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance to match your plan
- Store your original documents somewhere safe, and make sure your executor or trustee knows where they are
- Tell your key decision-makers (guardian, agents, trustee) that you've named them
5. Keep it current
- Review your plan every 3–5 years
- Update your plan after a marriage, divorce, birth, death, move, or major change in assets
- Revisit your named guardian and agents periodically to make sure they're still the right fit
Frequently Asked Questions
I've done some of this already — do I still need an attorney?
Getting organized on your own is a great first step. An attorney's role is to make sure your documents are legally valid in Wisconsin, actually accomplish what you intend, and are properly funded and coordinated — the details that are easy to get wrong on your own.
This feels overwhelming — where should I actually start?
Start with a consultation. We'll go through this checklist together, figure out exactly where you stand, and build a plan step by step — you don't have to have it all figured out before we talk.
What documents should I bring to my consultation?
Nothing is required to get started, though a rough list of your assets and any existing estate planning documents can help us move faster. We'll tell you exactly what's helpful once we've talked about your situation.
Ready to Check Everything Off This List?
We'll go through this checklist together and build a plan around exactly what your family needs.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a conversation about your family.