FREE 10+ Estate Planner Worksheet Samples in PDF | MS Word

According to the 2019 survey conducted by Caring.com, almost 60% of American adults don’t have estate plans. And what’s more surprising is, most of them even agree that estate planning and making a living will are essential! Well, it is, which is why if you’re one of those who haven’t constructed and finalized a plan yet, you better get in the planning bandwagon. And, don’t worry if you’re not someone with an extensive background in planning, for we have estate planner worksheets that could help you.

What Is an Estate Planning Worksheet

In grade school, teachers give worksheets to their students as part of the learning materials to bring home. These worksheets contain questions relating to the subject and the current lesson. The students will then answer each question and will submit it to their teacher the next day for checking, scoring, and knowing the mistakes are. That type of scenario is also applicable to estate planning. The user gets to enlist the procedures and all he needs, then he checks and determines what his next step will be, and reviews for errors and areas of concerns. Often, estate planning lawyers are the ones who use the worksheet. But clients and estate property owners can also utilize it as their guide for making estate related decisions.

Using Worksheets for Successful Estate Planning

Authors Roy Williams and Vic Preisser stated in their book “Estate Planning for the Post-Transition Period” that 70% of estates end up losing assets and causing problems. Why is that? Well, it’s because of the poor planning of the estate owners. Regardless of the type and value of an estate, putting everything in a plan and a will is relevant. And, one way to ensure that an estate plan will be successful is by using worksheets and getting legal advice from an estate planner or lawyer.

Also, the planning phase can be daunting when done alone, which is why it’s essential to inform all the involved. For instance, if an estate owner plans to leave all his estate to his son, then he must tell his son about it. He can bring his son along when meeting the lawyer, and he can also let his son attend seminars and estate management programs. In that way, the son will know how he can handle the estate that his father will leave for him. And, he will also be able to help out, especially in preparing legal forms, estate documents, and provide suggestions as they complete the worksheet for making an effective plan.

10+ Estate Planner Worksheet Samples

Estate planning, itself, is already not an easy piece of cake to bite into. That’s why you must use our estate planner worksheet templates, which are all downloadable, editable, and printable! Simply choose which among our templates meets your needs:

1. Estate Planning Worksheet Sample

2. Estate Planning Worksheet for Single Individuals Template

3. Basic Estate Planning Worksheet Sample

4. Confidential Estate Planning Worksheet Sample

5. Estate Planning Worksheet in PDF

6. Standard Estate Planning Worksheet Template

7. Preliminary Estate Planning Worksheet Sample

8. Single Estate Planning Worksheet Template

9. Personal Estate Planning Worksheet Sample

10. Estate Planning Information Worksheet Sample

11. Estate Planning Worksheet in DOC

Tips in Using Estate Planner Worksheets

Be it you’re a businessman, actor, or an entrepreneur, having a solid last will and testament can provide a sigh of relief to you and your heirs. So, when you start using estate planner worksheets, you must take note of the following tips below:

1. Hire a Lawyer

Nowadays, you can find lawyers everywhere, including online. But, be wary when selecting the one that you will trust. To make sure that you will hire someone who will help you from the first step to last, you should have a screening process. First, you can search for those whose expertise is directly related to estate planning. Then, you can proceed in meeting up with each of your candidates. After that, you can choose who you’re most comfortable with sharing private details about your estate. Once selected, you and your lawyer should arrive at an agreement of your expectations, limitations, and the services that you want to have.

2. Study and Know Your State’s Laws

The moment you have grown your net worth was the same moment you set up yourself to the requirement of being knowledgeable about the laws of the state. By being well-informed, you’ll be able to have an assurance that your lawyer is accomplishing the state’s needs along with yours.

3. Print Out an Estate Planner Worksheet Template

This tip connects to the second tip, for knowing your state laws will also allow you to determine what documents you have to acquire to protect your estate. Now, you can easily choose which worksheet template would suit you best.

4. Enlist Your Plans and Let Your Lawyer Know of Your Previous Wills and Testaments

The famous “Fast & Furious” actor, Paul Walker, died in a car crash at the age of 40. Luckily, he made sure that his daughter will be adequately taken good care of even when he won’t be around. At the early age of 28, Paul drafted his plans. But, unfortunately, he failed to keep it up to date. So, if there had been new laws in the execution of a will in his state, it means that the assets and estate that he left will be significantly affected. And, that’s why it’s essential to keep wills and every estate-related documents updated, for even the slightest change can cause a big difference.

5. Review and Get Your Heir Involved

Reviewing, rechecking, and identifying the missing items in the worksheet should be your priority before proceeding to make your will. Of course, informing and getting your heir involved will benefit you as well as the relationship of you two in the long run.

Estate planning is crucial for successful estate management. And one of the things to remember is that it does not end. Planning for protecting an estate continues even after the death of the owner, for there are further procedures to fulfill. That’s why worksheets are handy, for everyone involved, such as the lawyer, the owner, the heir, and the future generations who will manage the estate.