Estate Planning Document Checklist (PA)

Part 1 — Printable checklist (PDF copy)

File name: kostrub-law-estate-planning-document-checklist.pdf
PDF title (metadata): Estate Planning Document Checklist — Kostrub Law Firm

For Pennsylvania families. Gather these items before you meet with an estate planning attorney. You do not need everything. Bring what you have.

Documents to gather

[ ] Any current will, trust, or power of attorney (and the date signed)

[ ] Deeds to your home, land, or other real estate

[ ] Recent bank, brokerage, and retirement account statements (last page is enough; cover account numbers if you like)

[ ] Life insurance policies and annuity contracts

[ ] Beneficiary designation forms for retirement accounts and insurance

[ ] Vehicle titles

[ ] Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, divorce decrees, or support orders

[ ] Last year’s tax return

Decisions to make

[ ] Who receives your property, and in what shares?

[ ] Should anyone receive their share in a trust instead of outright (for example, young adults or someone who receives government benefits)?

[ ] Should anything go to charity?

[ ] Do you want to avoid probate for some property (for example, with a living trust or joint ownership)?

[ ] What are your wishes for end-of-life medical care?

People to name (and a backup for each)

[ ] Executor: the person who settles your estate after death

[ ] Guardian for minor children

[ ] Trustee: the person who manages any trust

[ ] Agent under a financial power of attorney: the person who handles your money if you cannot

[ ] Healthcare agent: the person who makes medical decisions if you cannot

Special items

[ ] Mineral rights: deeds or records showing oil, gas, or coal rights you own

[ ] Gas leases, royalty statements, and division orders for any producing or leased land

[ ] Business interests: operating agreement, bylaws, buy-sell agreement, and who should run or receive the business

[ ] Farm or family land you want to keep in the family

[ ] Digital assets: a list of online accounts, crypto wallets, photo storage, and where passwords are kept (do not write passwords on this sheet)

[ ] Pets: who will care for them

[ ] Personal items with special meaning: jewelry, firearms, tools, heirlooms

[ ] Out-of-state property: real estate in another state may need its own probate if not planned for

Good to know in Pennsylvania

[ ] Pennsylvania has an inheritance tax. Rates depend on who receives your property: 0% for a spouse, 4.5% for children and grandchildren, 12% for siblings, 15% for most others (72 P.S. § 9101 et seq.)

[ ] A Pennsylvania financial power of attorney must be signed, dated, witnessed by two adults, and notarized (20 Pa.C.S. § 5601)

Ready to plan? Call (304) 982-1586 or visit kostrublaw.com/estate-planning/ to meet with attorney Heather Kostrub.
Kostrub Law Firm, PLLC · Cecil Township, Washington County, PA

This checklist is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney Advertising.