ESTATE PLANNING REVIEW CHECKLIST
Since many of us have some free time, now is an excellent opportunity to organize, review, and update your estate planning documents. We prepared this "Estate Planning Review Checklist" to make sure your personal estate plan is up-to-date.

If you would like to review this checklist together, we are offering no-charge telephone appointments to go over all of these items. You don’t have to have all of the answers to this checklist before meeting since we will walk you through everything.

ESTATE PLANNING REVIEW CHECKLIST

  • Do you know where your documents are?

  • Do you have the following: Will, Trust, Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, Advance Health Care Directive, and HIPAA Release and Authorization?

  • Who is your successor trustee? Is there a backup? Are these still the right people for the job?

  • How will your assets be distributed under the trust after your death? Does this still match your intent?
  • Do you have any concern about your beneficiary’s spouse, creditors, or the beneficiary spending the inheritance too quickly?

  • Who is named in your Advanced Health Care Directive to make your medical decisions? Are they still the right people for the job?

  • Have you purchased a new house or refinanced a home loan since signing your estate plan? Is the property currently titled in the name of your trust?

  • How are your bank and investment accounts titled? Are your accounts in the trust or are they in your name only?

  • Who are the beneficiaries of your retirement plans (IRA, 401k)?
  • Do you have backup (contingent or secondary) beneficiaries? You can confirm this by requesting a beneficiary statement from the financial institution.

  • Have you recently reviewed the tax implication of naming beneficiaries of your retirement plans (IRA, 401k)?
  • Significant changes in tax laws, this year, necessitate a review of your retirement plan beneficiaries with your financial advisor or estate planning attorney.

  • Who are the beneficiaries of your life insurance policies? Do you have backup (contingent or secondary) beneficiaries? You should either request or download a beneficiary statement from the institution.

  • Have you prepared a letter disposing of your personal effects (Items inside your house, jewelry, cars)?

  • If you are a married couple, have you reviewed your Trust with your estate planning attorney since 2010? Major changes in the tax laws passed in 2010 may mean that you have an unnecessarily complicated Trust.

Take advantage of this time to review, organize, and update your estate plan.

We also would be happy to assist you with creating a new estate plan or revise your existing estate plan. Please call or email us if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

Call: (858) 485-1990
Sincerely,

Roberta J. Robinson
Daniel J. Wilson

Certified Specialists: Estate Planning,
Probate, and Trust Law

Tel:         858.485.1990
Fax:        858.487.8240
Mailing: P.O. Box 270099 San Diego, CA 92198
Office:   11665 Avena Place Suite 108 San Diego, CA 92128
Web:       www.TrustLaw.us
Robinson and Wilson | www.TrustLaw.us