Estate Planning Basics

Life, laws, and assets change, so estate plans should keep up. This 2026 review checklist covers life events, document updates, and conversations worth having this year.

Most estate plans rest on the same core documents: a will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary forms. This checklist shows what you may be missing.

A will names heirs and guardians for minor children, but it can’t avoid probate or control every account. Learn what wills do, their limits, and how they fit a plan.

Estate planning decides who acts for you if you can’t and who inherits your assets. Learn the core documents, who needs a plan, and what happens without one.