Can I sign the list electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes where adopted, provided the signature meets intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements.

Do wills and trusts need witnesses or notarization?

Some jurisdictions require two witnesses for wills; others allow one or none. Notarization can create a self-proving affidavit that simplifies probate. Verify state witness and notary rules before execution.

Is remote online notarization acceptable?

Many states now permit Remote Online Notarization with identity proofing and recording; check your state’s notary commission rules and ensure the platform meets RON requirements if used.

What happens if beneficiary names mismatch?

Mismatched names between accounts and estate documents may trigger delays, additional affidavits, or court intervention; reconcile names and attach account statements before signing.

How should I store signed lists and documents?

Retain executed originals or certified copies per retention guidance. Store digital copies with encryption and an audit trail; consider an attorney or trustee copy for safe custody.

Which eSign plan supports compliance needs?

Choose a plan that provides audit trails, secure storage, and, if handling health records, a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement. Plans and capabilities vary across Business, Business Premium, Enterprise, and Site License tiers.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Legal
Estate Planning List

Estate Planning List

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

ESTATE PLANNING LIST

This Estate Planning List (the "List") is made effective as of by and between Client Name: of ("Client"), and Planner Name: of ("Planner").

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client intends to document Client's assets, liabilities, dispositive wishes, fiduciary appointments and the location of original estate planning documents for efficient preparation and administration of Client's estate plan; and

WHEREAS, Planner has been retained to assist with organization and preparation of estate planning documents and to act as a repository for information necessary to prepare or update such documents; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth, in this List, the information known and provided by Client as of the effective date above for the Planner's use in preparing or maintaining Client's estate plan.

NOW, THEREFORE

In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this List is to provide a comprehensive statement of Client's assets, liabilities, beneficiaries, fiduciary appointments, and specific instructions relevant to Client's estate plan. This List is intended as an information memorandum and is not itself a dispositive instrument or a substitute for wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or other legal documents.

2. CLIENT IDENTIFICATION

Date of Birth Primary Telephone Email Marital Status

Single Married Divorced Widowed

Spouse / Partner (if applicable) Children and dependents (names, DOBs, special needs)

3. EXISTING ESTATE DOCUMENTS

Indicate which of the following exist and provide the location of originals.

Last Will and Testament

Revocable Living Trust

Durable Power of Attorney

Advance Health Care Directive / Living Will

Life Insurance Policies

4. ASSETS

Real Property (address, ownership, mortgage details) Bank Accounts (bank, account type, approximate balance) Investment Accounts / Brokerage Retirement Accounts (401(k), IRA, etc.) Business Interests (entity type, percentage ownership, location of agreements)

5. BENEFICIARIES

Beneficiary 1: Name: Relationship: Share/Percent:

Beneficiary 2: Name: Relationship: Share/Percent:

Additional Beneficiaries / Contingent Beneficiaries

6. FIDUCIARIES / AGENTS

Executor / Personal Representative Alternate Executor Trustee(s) Durable Power of Attorney (Agent for financial matters) Health Care Agent

7. DIGITAL ASSETS

Electronic Accounts and Access Instructions

8. FUNERAL, BURIAL OR DISPOSITION INSTRUCTIONS

Preference: Burial Cremation Organ donation

Specific instructions (ceremony, obituaries, pallbearers, cemetery lot)

9. PERSONAL PROPERTY AND SPECIAL BEQUESTS

List of tangible personal property and specific bequests

10. DEBTS, LIABILITIES, AND FINAL EXPENSES

Outstanding debts and contact information for creditors

11. SAFEKEEPING, ACCESS, AND LOCATION OF ORIGINALS

Location of originals (safe deposit box, attorney office, home safe, etc.) Safe deposit box bank and box number

12. REPRESENTATIONS; LIMITATION

Client represents and warrants that the information provided in this List is true and complete to the best of Client's knowledge on the effective date. Client agrees to notify Planner of any material changes. Planner's use of this List is limited to preparation or updating of estate planning documents; Planner is not a guarantor of outcomes and, unless separately retained to provide legal representation as an attorney, Planner does not provide legal advice beyond the scope of the Planner's engagement. Client acknowledges that original testamentary or dispositive effecting documents are required to effect transfers and that this List alone does not create, revoke or amend any testamentary instrument.

13. NOTICES

All notices required or permitted under this List shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth below.

Notice address for Client Notice address for Planner

14. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Governing Law: This List shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state identified by Planner or, if left blank, the state of Client's primary residence, without regard to conflict of laws principles.

Entire Agreement: This List contains the entire understanding between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes any prior oral or written statements concerning the information described herein.

Severability: If any provision of this List is held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this List shall remain in full force and effect and the invalid provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

Amendments; Waiver: This List may only be amended by a written instrument signed by both parties. No waiver of any breach shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the waiving party.

Counterparts: This List may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Client:

By:

Date:

Planner:

By:

Date:

What the Estate Planning List Is and When to Use It

An Estate Planning List is a structured checklist that collects the facts, documents, and decisions needed to prepare wills, trusts, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, and related estate planning instruments. It centralizes personal data (names, dates, identifiers), asset inventories, creditor and beneficiary details, and preferences for healthcare and fiduciary appointments. Practitioners and individuals use the list to ensure no material item is omitted before drafting legal documents, meeting an attorney, or completing digital signing and notarization workflows.

Why a Formal Estate Planning List Helps

A complete Estate Planning List reduces drafting errors, speeds lawyer review, and prevents probate or distribution delays by consolidating relevant identifiers, title documents, and beneficiary instructions before legal documents are created or signed.

Who Typically Prepares and Uses this List

The Estate Planning List is used by individuals, families, attorneys, financial advisors, and trustees to gather and confirm necessary estate information before finalizing legal instruments.

Individuals and families preparing wills or trusts; use to gather IDs, assets, and beneficiary choices.
Estate planning attorneys and paralegals; use to speed drafting and reduce follow-up questions.
Financial institutions and advisors; use to verify account ownership, beneficiary designations, and title documents.

Keeping the list current and sharing it with authorized advisors reduces the risk of conflicting instructions and supports smoother execution when documents are signed or probated.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Estate Planning List

Follow a consistent sequence to gather and verify information before sharing the list with counsel or a notary.

01

Gather IDs: Collect government IDs and Social Security numbers for each principal.
02

Inventory Assets: List bank, investment, real estate, insurance, and retirement accounts with numbers.
03

Select Fiduciaries: Name primary and alternate executors, agents, and guardians.
04

Confirm Beneficiaries: Verify beneficiary designations match account records and reflect intent.

Essential Components to Include in a Professional List

A professional Estate Planning List combines identification, asset detail, fiduciary choices, healthcare preferences, beneficiary instructions, and supporting documents — each item documented to reduce ambiguity.

Identification

Full legal names, birthdates, SSNs, and contact details for the decedent/testator and key parties to verify identity at signing or probate.

Asset Inventory

Comprehensive listing of real property, bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, life insurance policies, business interests, and digital assets with account numbers.

Liabilities

List mortgages, loans, and outstanding obligations to reconcile net estate value and inform creditor notices during administration.

Fiduciary Appointments

Names and contact details for executors, trustees, powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and alternates to avoid gaps in authority.

Beneficiary Directions

Specific bequests, percentage allocations, contingent beneficiaries, and payable-on-death or transfer-on-death account instructions to ensure distribution matches intent.

Supporting Documents

Attach copies of titles, account statements, prior wills, trust instruments, deeds, beneficiary forms, and durable power of attorney paperwork.

Security, Compliance, and Data Protections to Mind

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3, AES-256 at rest

Regulatory Standards: ESIGN and UETA compliant

Healthcare Controls: HIPAA BAA available

Audit Trail: Full signing history captured

Access Controls: SSO and MFA support

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

Typical Digital Workflow for the Estate Planning List

Digital completion moves the checklist from collection to execution using secure uploads, field placement, signer authentication, and final storage.

Upload: Sender uploads the list and attachments to the signing platform.
Prepare Fields: Place signature, date, and initial fields where required.
Authenticate: Signers confirm identity via email, SMS, or stronger methods.
Execute: Signers complete signing; platform issues signed copies and audit log.

Configuring an Electronic Signing Workflow for Estate Documents

When setting up e-signing, configure authentication, signer order, and retention so the executed documents meet legal and practical needs.

Field	Configuration
Authentication Method	Email link or SMS code; choose KBA or ID check for higher assurance
Signing Order	Specify sequential or parallel signing depending on witness/notary requirements
Retention Settings	Automatically archive signed PDF and audit trail for regulatory retention
Notifications	Enable reminders and completion receipts for all signers

Technical and Integration Considerations

Choose a platform that supports PDF, Word DOCX, and audit-trail export plus integrations your advisors already use.

Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite, Google Workspace
File Types: PDF, DOCX, HTML, Excel supported
Authentication: SSO, MFA, and advanced signer checks

Confirm the platform offers required compliance (ESIGN, UETA) and, for healthcare records, a HIPAA BAA where applicable before transmitting protected information.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the List

Using inconsistent legal names across accounts and documents, which can delay notarization or probate and require corrective affidavits.
Failing to attach beneficiary forms or account statements, forcing administrators to locate documents during probate and increasing processing time.
Overlooking contingent beneficiaries and backup fiduciaries, leaving distribution to default intestacy or court appointment.
Not updating the list after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, or asset transfers, which can invalidate intended distributions.

Key Risks and Legal Consequences of an Incomplete or Incorrect List

Invalid Will: Will fails probate without required witnesses

Intestacy: Assets distributed by statute, not intent

Delayed Administration: Court delays and higher executor costs

Tax Exposure: Missed filings may trigger penalties

Beneficiary Disputes: Increased litigation risk and costs

Data Exposure: Unauthorized access to sensitive identifiers

Practical Timing: When to Complete or Refresh the List

Certain events and deadlines should prompt immediate review and updating of the Estate Planning List to preserve intent and meet filing requirements.

After Major Life Events:

Update within weeks of marriage, divorce, births, or deaths

Before Legal Drafting:

Complete the list before meeting an attorney or signing documents

Upon Account Changes:

Update beneficiary or title changes promptly to avoid conflicts

Prior to Relocation:

Review state-specific requirements when moving between states

At Regular Intervals:

Review every 2–3 years or as circumstances change

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison Relevant to Estate Documents

Below is a concise vendor comparison for common eSignature features used when executing estate planning documents; signNow is listed first per platform conventions.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions About Using an Estate Planning List

Answers to common legal, practical, and technical questions encountered when preparing, executing, and storing an Estate Planning List.

Need help? Contact support

Can I sign the list electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes where adopted, provided the signature meets intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements.
Do wills and trusts need witnesses or notarization?
Some jurisdictions require two witnesses for wills; others allow one or none. Notarization can create a self-proving affidavit that simplifies probate. Verify state witness and notary rules before execution.
Is remote online notarization acceptable?
Many states now permit Remote Online Notarization with identity proofing and recording; check your state’s notary commission rules and ensure the platform meets RON requirements if used.
What happens if beneficiary names mismatch?
Mismatched names between accounts and estate documents may trigger delays, additional affidavits, or court intervention; reconcile names and attach account statements before signing.
How should I store signed lists and documents?
Retain executed originals or certified copies per retention guidance. Store digital copies with encryption and an audit trail; consider an attorney or trustee copy for safe custody.
Which eSign plan supports compliance needs?
Choose a plan that provides audit trails, secure storage, and, if handling health records, a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement. Plans and capabilities vary across Business, Business Premium, Enterprise, and Site License tiers.

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