The Building Blocks of an Estate Plan
Overview
Estate planning documents each do a specific job, and it's easy to assume one covers ground it doesn't. A will directs how assets pass at death; it does nothing if you become incapacitated while still alive. That's where powers of attorney come in.
Understanding who plays which role, executor, agent, trustee, guardian, before you need them makes the actual planning conversation faster and less confusing.
What this checklist covers
- 1Common estate plan documents
- 2Common estate plan personnel
- 3Strategies for transferring assets
Common questions

Work through the full estate checklist
Every item to confirm across documents, accounts, and beneficiaries.
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Sourced from a licensed fpPathfinder reference guide. Page copy is original summary content.



