Complete your estate planning with an interactive will checklist. Track assets, assign beneficiaries, and plan digital estate. Free. No signup needed.
68% of Americans have no will. If you die without one, the state decides who gets your assets, who raises your children, and who has medical authority over you — not you. Our interactive checklist walks you through every step of estate planning so nothing critical gets missed, whether you have $10,000 or $10 million.
Every adult needs these 5 documents: 1) Last Will and Testament — names beneficiaries and guardian for minor children. 2) Durable Power of Attorney — names someone to handle finances if incapacitated. 3) Healthcare Proxy or Healthcare POA — names medical decision-maker. 4) Living Will or Advance Directive — documents end-of-life care preferences. 5) Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance — these override your will.
A will alone requires probate — a public court process that can take 6-18 months and cost 3-7% of estate value. A revocable living trust avoids probate entirely, keeps assets private, and transfers immediately at death. Consider a trust if: estate value exceeds $200,000, you have property in multiple states, you have minor children, or you value privacy.
Online will services like LegalZoom or Trust and Will: $89-$199. Attorney-drafted basic will: $300-$1,000. Attorney-drafted comprehensive estate plan with trust: $1,500-$5,000. The cost of not having a will: probate costs your estate 3-7% of its value plus 6-18 months of legal proceedings for your family.
You die intestate — state law determines who inherits. Typical intestate order: spouse, then children, then parents, then siblings. Unmarried partners get nothing unless named. Stepchildren and close friends get nothing. A minor child's guardian may be appointed by the court, not by your wishes. Everything becomes public record through probate.
Your executor manages your estate after death including filing your will with the court, paying debts, and distributing assets. Choose someone: organized and detail-oriented, trustworthy, willing to serve, and ideally nearby geographically. A spouse is common but an adult child or trusted friend works well. Name a backup executor in case your first choice cannot serve.
Yes — every FreeFixo tool, including the Free Estate Planning Checklist — Protect Your Family Before It Is Too Late, is 100% free with no paywall, no premium tier, and no usage limits. You do not need to create an account, enter a credit card, or share an email.
The Free Estate Planning Checklist — Protect Your Family Before It Is Too Late uses the same formulas, rates, and reference data that financial planners, professionals, and government sources publish. Results are estimates intended for planning and education — for situations involving large sums or legal consequences, confirm with a qualified professional before acting.
No signup is ever required. The Free Estate Planning Checklist — Protect Your Family Before It Is Too Late runs entirely in your browser — your inputs are never sent to a server, and we do not store, track, or share your data. Open it, get your answer, close the tab.