A comprehensive plan that saves time and money
The estate planning forms you need in one package
Create a simple estate plan in minutes including a last will and testament, health care directive, power of attorney, plus a free HIPAA release form. This DIY option guides you through the process so you can create your estate plan quickly and confidently.
Bundle documents to get a complete plan
Our do-it-yourself forms make estate planning affordable, fast, and done right. Cover all of your basic estate planning needs in our package option, which includes a last will and testament, health care directive, power of attorney, and free HIPAA release form.
Estate Planning Package
All the forms you need to create a personal estate plan
Estate Planning Package
All the forms you need to create two personal estate plans
We’ve got you covered
Our estate planning package allows you to address guardianship for your minor children, make decisions about your assets, and state who will care for your pets. In addition, specify the medical care you want to receive if you cannot communicate your wishes, and name a financial power of attorney to handle your financial matters if you are unable.
Trusted legal technology
Created by attorneys to align with to each state’s laws and customized to fit your needs
In your hands
Log in as needed, complete forms at your own pace, and collect asset information on your own time
Save with our package
Get a complete plan for less and check everything off your to-do list at the same time
How to create your estate planning documents
Our process is easy, affordable, and quick. Here’s what you’ll do:
Create an account
Create a secure account which is accessible through an easy dashboard for convenient access any time
Gather information
You will need a list of your major assets, contact information for important people, and any wishes you want to be honored when you’re gone
Complete your documents
Answer all questions, then we’ll generate your digital documents for downloading, printing, and signing
Make it legal
Carefully follow the instructions provided in the form, which may include signing your documents in front of witnesses or a notary
Plan for your future with confidence
This free guide will help you:
Learn the most common estate planning terms
Understand the essential estate planning tools
Gather critical information with an estate planning checklist
Frequently asked questions about estate planning
Estate planning involves planning for the distribution of your assets after your passing. A common misunderstanding is that estate planning is only for high-net-worth individuals. But all your possessions and accounts form your estate, even if they seem modest to you. An estate includes things like real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, personal possessions, and more. So, there is probably more to your estate than you realize.
With a good estate plan, you can provide for your loved ones and help them to be financially secure after your death. A comprehensive estate plan also names guardians for minor children and creates contingency plans for healthcare issues. To prevent your loved ones from having to make difficult treatment choices for you, you should consider a health care directive. Through a health care directive, you can make your own health care decisions in advance of an incapacitating medical condition. FindLaw also offers power of attorney documents. A power of attorney allows you to choose someone to make financial decisions for you if you become unable to yourself. Everyone should have one.
Wills and living wills, also known as health care directives, have similar names but are very different legal documents. You use a will to decide how you would like your property to be distributed after your death. You can also name guardians for your minor children in a will.
A health care directive is a legal document you use to make health care choices for your future. Your named health care agent, if you have one, and health care professionals will refer to this document if you become medically incapacitated and unable to give informed consent on your medical options. A health care directive is only valid during your lifetime, and you cannot use it to distribute your assets. FindLaw’s health care directive forms also allow you to name someone to make health care decisions for you. You may hear people referring to this as a health care proxy, health care agent, or health care power of attorney.
A financial power of attorney shouldn’t be confused with a health care power of attorney. With a financial power of attorney, you can name someone you trust to make financial decisions for you if you become unable to make them for yourself. This can be helpful in case you ever become unable to handle your finances due to illness or injury. The person you name in your financial power of attorney can pay your bills and taxes, purchase insurance for you, and manage your assets while you are unable to.
A HIPAA release form is a document that allows you to authorize your health care provider (for example, your doctor or your hospital) to release your medical information to another individual or third party of your choice.
Yes. When you think of estate planning, the first thing that comes to mind might be a last will and testament. A will is the bedrock of a comprehensive estate plan. But good estate planning is often more involved than just writing a will. Your estate is made up of all your assets. This includes both real property and personal property. Real property refers to real estate, such as your home, investment properties, land, and vacation homes. Your personal property is all your other property, such as: vehicles, heirlooms, furniture, electronics, financial accounts, retirement accounts. With an estate plan, you can distribute all these assets according to your wishes.
Depending on your situation, you may want a health care directive. If you become unable to communicate your health care wishes, your family and medical providers would look to your health care directive for guidance. You may also want a financial power of attorney to choose someone to manage your financial affairs if you’re unable to do so. It can be tempting to delay estate planning. But knowing that you have provided for your loved ones in the event of your death will give you peace of mind. With our easy, step-by-step process, you can create comprehensive estate planning documents without seeing an attorney or leaving home.
If you die without an enforceable will in place, this is known as “dying intestate.” All 50 states and D.C. have laws that describe how to divide up an estate of someone who dies intestate. These state laws are known as intestacy statutes. They tend to favor spouses and children as the primary heirs to an estate.
Intestacy statutes do not cover certain situations, however. If you have a blended family, special needs children, or a live-in partner, or you want to leave assets to charity, you should have a valid will in place. Certain types of assets pass to beneficiaries without the need for a will or the application of intestacy statutes. These include jointly owned property and accounts with a named beneficiary. For example, if you own a home jointly with your spouse, it will pass to them without needing to go through probate. If you have a life insurance policy, the proceeds will pass to your beneficiaries without needing to be listed in a will.
Probate refers to the legal process of sorting and distributing a person’s property at death under court supervision. This process involves:
- Creating an inventory of all your property
- Appraising your property
- Paying off your remaining debts
- Distributing the remaining property according to your will
If there is no will, the probate court will distribute your property according to your state’s default laws (“intestacy statutes”). Probate can be a lengthy process that involves lawyers and court appearances. However, you can often avoid probate by setting up trusts, owning property jointly, and naming beneficiaries on accounts such as life insurance and retirement accounts.
Making an estate plan can sound overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With FindLaw’s attorney-created do-it-yourself estate planning forms, you can prepare for the future quickly and easily. After following our simple guided process and answering a few questions, we create your forms and prepare them for your signature. We also include instructions on how to make the documents legal under the relevant laws of your state. If you would like some extra guidance on your estate plan or if you have special circumstances, you might want to talk to an estate planning attorney.
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Ready to begin your estate plan?
Why choose FindLaw?
Each month, more than 10 million people visit FindLaw.com for trusted legal information, attorney listings, and do-it-yourself forms and services. Get the benefit of attorney-created forms combined with the convenience of a do-it-yourself process, all at an affordable price.
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Created by attorneys
Our forms are expertly crafted and maintained by experienced estate planning lawyers, making them both accurate and compliant with current laws.
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Tailored to your state’s laws
Our attorney-designed documents meet the specific needs of your state. We also include state-specific signature, witness, and notarization requirements.
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Easy-to-use services
We take the hassle out of estate planning. Easily create your estate planning documents from the comfort of your own home, no lawyers needed.
You may want to reach out to a directory attorney if:
- You want a legal review of your completed will
- You have significant assets
- You have children with special needs
- You have other unique family circumstances
- You have a blended family
- You are interested in more advanced estate planning tools