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Estate Planning Readiness Checklist

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Only 24% of U.S. adults report having a will as of 2025, down from 33% in 2022 (Caring.com / YouGov survey), and 56% lack an up-to-date estate plan (NAEPC, cited for National Estate Planning Awareness Week). This checklist is educational, not legal advice.

Tell us about your situation

Answer four quick questions about your age, kids, property, and retirement accounts to get a personalized, plain-language checklist of which estate planning documents to prioritize -- no purchase, no account, no legal jargon.

This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial or medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions. See our Disclaimer.

How it works

  1. Answer four questions: your age bracket, whether you have minor children, whether you own property, and whether you have retirement accounts
  2. Get a personalized checklist showing which documents (will, healthcare directive, power of attorney, beneficiary designations) matter most for your situation, explained in plain language
  3. Read the disclaimer: this is educational, not legal advice -- an estate planning attorney can confirm what your state requires

Frequently asked questions

How many Americans actually have a will?

Only 24% of U.S. adults reported having a will in 2025, down from 33% in 2022, according to a Caring.com/YouGov survey of over 2,500 adults. NAEPC data cited during National Estate Planning Awareness Week puts the share without an up-to-date estate plan at 56%.

Is this legal advice?

No. This checklist is educational only, meant to help you see which documents are typically relevant to your situation so you can have a more informed conversation with an estate planning attorney. Requirements vary by state.

I don't have kids or own a home -- do I still need any of this?

Often yes, at a lighter level. A healthcare directive and a financial power of attorney matter regardless of age or assets, since they cover who can make decisions for you if you're incapacitated -- this checklist reflects that.

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From the blog

Only 24% of Americans have a will. Here's the checklist that actually tells you which documents you need.
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Only 24% of Americans have a will. Here's the checklist that actually tells you which documents you need.

National Estate Planning Awareness Week (Oct 19-25) exists because most people put this off. Answer four questions and get a personalized, plain-language checklist instead of a paywall or a confusing product catalog.

2026-09-30

Update history

  • 2026-09-30 Launched: 4-question personalized estate planning document checklist for National Estate Planning Awareness Week 2026, with plain-language explanations and a prominent not-legal-advice disclaimer.