Estate Planning Starter Guide

Prompt

Create a personalized estate planning starter guide and action checklist for [YOUR NAME].

Personal context:
- Age: [AGE]
- Marital status: [MARRIED / SINGLE / DIVORCED / WIDOWED]
- Dependents: [CHILDREN AGES / NONE]
- Estimated estate value: [APPROXIMATE NET WORTH]
- Existing documents: [WILL / TRUST / POA / NONE]
- Special considerations: [BUSINESS OWNERSHIP / SPECIAL NEEDS DEPENDENT / LARGE ESTATE / BLENDED FAMILY / OTHER]
- Primary concern: [PROTECTING MINOR CHILDREN / MINIMIZING TAXES / BUSINESS SUCCESSION / SIMPLE ORGANIZATION]

Build the guide:

1. **Estate Planning Basics** — What happens if I die without a will in my state? The scary default.

2. **Documents I Need** — For my situation, which documents are essential:
   - Will
   - Revocable living trust (do I need one?)
   - Durable power of attorney (financial)
   - Healthcare proxy / Medical power of attorney
   - Living will / Advance directive

3. **Beneficiary Designation Audit** — Retirement accounts, life insurance, bank accounts with TOD/POD. These override a will — are they current?

4. **Guardianship** — If I have minor children: how to name a guardian and what to communicate to that person.

5. **Estate Tax Situation** — Do I need to worry about federal or state estate taxes at my net worth?

6. **DIY vs. Attorney** — What I can do myself (beneficiary designations, basic will) vs. what needs an estate attorney.

7. **Action List** — Prioritized checklist with cost estimates and suggested timeline.

8. **What to Tell Loved Ones** — What my family needs to know and where to find documents.