Information You Need to Plan Your Estate

In planning your estate, it's helpful to have as much of the following information on hand as possible.

• The names, addresses, and birth dates of all people, whether or not related to you, that you expect to name in your will
• The name, address, and telephone number of the person (or people) you expect to name as the executor of your will
• If you have minor children, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of possible guardians
• The amount and source of your principal income and other income, such as interest and dividends
• The amount, source, and beneficiaries, if any, of your retirement benefits, including IRAs, pensions, Keogh accounts, government benefits, and profit-sharing plans
• The amount, source, and beneficiaries, if any, of other financial assets such as bank accounts, annuities, and loans due you
• The amount of your debts, including mortgages, installment loans, and business debts, if any
• A list (with approximate values) of valuable property you own, including real estate, jewelry, furniture, collections, heirlooms, and other assets
• A list and description of jointly owned property and the names of co-owners
• Any documents that might affect your estate plan, including prenuptial agreements, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, recent tax returns, existing wills and trust documents, property deeds, and so on
• The location of any safe-deposit boxes and an inventory of the contents of each.

See also:

• What is Estate Planning? 
• Estate Planning -- Keep Track of Passwords, Access Keys, and PINs
• Estate Planning Checklist