Protecting Your Children If the Unexpected Happens

✅ 1. Name a Guardian for Your Minor Children

☐ Choose a primary guardian
☐ Choose at least one backup guardian
☐ Confirm they are willing to serve
☐ Discuss your parenting values and expectations
☐ Document your choice in a legally valid Will

✅ 2. Name Someone to Manage Your Children’s Inheritance

☐ Decide whether to create a Trust
☐ Choose a Trustee (can be different from guardian)
☐ Choose a backup Trustee
☐ Decide at what age children receive full access to funds
☐ Consider staggered distributions (e.g., 25, 30, 35)

✅ 3. Create or Update Your Will

☐ Name an Executor
☐ Name a backup Executor
☐ Specify asset distribution
☐ Include guardianship provisions
☐ Review beneficiary designations to ensure consistency

✅ 4. Consider a Revocable Living Trust (If Appropriate)

☐ Determine whether a Trust fits your goals
☐ Transfer assets into the Trust (fund it properly)
☐ Name successor trustee(s)
☐ Coordinate Trust with your Will

✅ 5. Review Beneficiary Designations

☐ Life insurance policies
☐ Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA)
☐ Payable-on-death accounts
☐ Transfer-on-death accounts

⚠️ Remember: Beneficiary forms override your Will.

✅ 6. Put Financial Protections in Place

☐ Confirm adequate life insurance coverage
☐ Review disability insurance
☐ Update health insurance beneficiaries
☐ Evaluate emergency savings

✅ 7. Prepare Incapacity Documents

☐ Durable Power of Attorney
☐ Healthcare Power of Attorney
☐ Living Will / Advance Directive
☐ HIPAA authorization

✅ 8. Organize Important Information

☐ List of accounts and passwords (stored securely)
☐ Insurance policy information
☐ Contact list for advisors
☐ Mortgage and debt information
☐ Location of original estate documents

✅ 9. Write a Letter of Intent (Optional but Helpful)

☐ Share guidance about values and upbringing
☐ Provide education preferences
☐ Outline religious or cultural wishes
☐ Include important routines or traditions

(This is not legally binding, but incredibly helpful to guardians.)

✅ 10. Review Your Plan Regularly

Review your estate plan:

☐ Every 3–5 years
☐ After birth or adoption of a child
☐ After marriage or divorce
☐ After significant financial changes
☐ If a guardian’s circumstances change

Peace of Mind Starts with a Plan

If you have minor children and have not completed these steps, you are not alone — but the time to act is now.

Proper planning ensures:

• Your children are raised by someone you trust
• Assets are managed responsibly
• Family conflict is minimized
• Your wishes are legally protected