Choose your country
Each site is written for its own country’s law, forms and prices.
General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.
Four copies of the same checklist. Pick the one you will use. Print it at home on Letter paper, or type into it first. No email.
Standard print22 pages · 125 KB · PDFStandard print, typeable22 pages · 362 fields you can type into · PDFLarge print, 18 point37 pages · PDFLarge print, typeable37 pages · 353 fields · PDFThe checklist is eight fill-in sections and a cover. Most pages are tick boxes and lines. The reading is one page at the front, and one page of the IRS's own figures.
Prepared and checked by Valoren, a publisher in London, England. No attorney has reviewed it. Checked October 31, 2026.
Most plans are made of the same few papers. Each one does one job. Each one names someone. And each one is signed under your state's own rules. The cards below say what each paper is for, in plain words. They do not say which ones you need.
Says who gets what you own when you die, and who is in charge of carrying that out. It speaks only after death. It does not cover accounts with a named beneficiary (see "What passes outside the will" below).
“a TOD plan or other beneficiary document supersedes your will”
FINRA · read October 20, 2026
An executor (some states say "personal representative"), and an alternate in case the first cannot serve. Guardians for your children, if you have any.
Your state's probate code sets how a will is signed and witnessed. The table below links your state's own pages and names the state bar's referral service.
Lets a person you choose handle money and property for you while you are alive, if you cannot or do not want to.
An agent, and an alternate. Someone who is good with paperwork and will pick up the phone.
Each state sets its own signing rules, and some have a standard form. The table below links your state's pages.
Names the person who speaks to your doctors for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
A health care agent, and an alternate. Someone who knows what you want and can say it in a hard room.
“Many states have their own forms that you can access and complete for free.”
National Institute on Aging · read October 31, 2026
Writes down the care you do and do not want if you are very ill and cannot say so. Some states put this and the health care proxy on one form.
Nobody has to be named. It is your own words about your own care. Give a copy to your doctor and your health care agent.
“A lawyer can help but is not required to create your advance directives.”
National Institute on Aging · read October 31, 2026
Your state's form is the place to start. The table below says where to ask.
A name written on an account or a policy, saying who gets it when you die.
“The owner must designate the beneficiary under procedures established by the plan.”
IRS · read October 20, 2026
A primary beneficiary, and a contingent one in case the first dies before you.
“Contingent beneficiaries (also referred to as secondary beneficiaries) receive proceeds if a primary beneficiary dies before you.”
NAIC · read October 20, 2026
The form belongs to the bank, the plan or the insurer, not to the state. Ask each one what it has on file.
“Ask your firm who they have recorded as a beneficiary for each of your accounts”
FINRA · read October 20, 2026
“People use trusts to keep control of their money and property and to designate who receives money and property once they die. One reason to set up a revocable living trust is to avoid the probate process after death.”
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · read October 20, 2026
A trust is a choice, not a must.
A trustee (often yourself, at first) and a successor trustee to take over.
“A living trust is ineffective until the person who makes the trust puts their money or property into it.”
CFPB · read October 20, 2026
The deed, the accounts and the titles have to be moved into it, one by one.
Tells the court who you would want to raise your children if both parents are gone. The court makes the final decision.
A guardian, and an alternate. Ask them first. Then write it where your state puts it: in the will, or on a separate paper.
The table below links your state's own pages.
Which of these you need is not a question this page can answer. It is the same for every reader. An attorney in your state can tell you whether a will alone does the job, or a trust is worth having. The table below names your state bar's referral service.
Go down the list. Tick what is done. For each one, write where the signed original is and the date it was signed. A copy is not the document.
Signed, witnessed, and the original in a known place.
A codicil, kept with the will.
Marked as replaced, or destroyed, so nobody finds the wrong one.
If your state uses one. Ask when the will is signed.
Signed the way your state asks.
Some banks want to see it before they will act on it. Ask yours.
Your agent and your doctor each have a copy.
Your doctor has a copy.
Only if your doctor has signed one with you. Posted where responders will see it.
So the people you name can ask your doctors about you.
Signed, with the trust papers in a known place.
In the will, or on a separate paper.
Not a legal paper. Where things are, and who to call. The death binder page is the list.
"Not for me" is a fine answer. A trust is a choice. A guardian only matters if you have children under your care. Tick it and move on.
A plan is only as good as the people in it. Each one should have said yes, know where the originals are, and hold a copy.
The person who carries out the will. What they will do, step by step, is on the executor checklist page.
In case the first cannot serve.
Named in the power of attorney.
Named in the health care proxy.
If there is a trust.
Who takes over the trust.
One person can hold more than one role. Write each role down anyway. Their phone numbers and firms belong on the planner's People who help with your affairs sheet, and on the free death binder.
Some of what you own never goes through the will. It passes by a name on the account, by how a title is held, or by a trust. These sentences are the official bodies' own.
“A beneficiary is generally any person or entity the account owner chooses to receive the benefits of a retirement account or an IRA after they die. The owner must designate the beneficiary under procedures established by the plan.”
IRS · read October 20, 2026
“Designating a beneficiary can be very helpful, but be aware that a TOD plan or other beneficiary document supersedes your will.”
FINRA · read October 20, 2026
“Your will does not affect the distribution of your life insurance proceeds unless the sum goes to your estate to be divided according to the will.”
NAIC · read October 20, 2026
“Payable on Death Account (POD): Term used for informal revocable trust accounts to evidence the owner’s intention that the deposit account is payable to the named beneficiaries upon the death of the owner.”
FDIC · read October 20, 2026
“Like the payable on death (POD) mechanism available for bank accounts, TOD can be used for individual brokerage accounts”
FINRA · read October 20, 2026
“Most joint bank or credit union accounts are held with “rights of survivorship.” This means that when one account owner dies, the money passes to the surviving owner”
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · read October 20, 2026
“Transfer on death (TOD) registration allows you to pass the securities you own directly to another person or entity upon your death without having to go through probate.”
SEC, Investor.gov · read October 20, 2026
The checklist for this part is about names on paper. Go to each account and ask who is written on it.
Who is named, and a contingent named too.
Who is named, and a contingent.
Often forgotten. Ask human resources.
Whether a payable-on-death name is on it, and who.
Whether a transfer-on-death name is on it, and who.
Whose names are on each one, as the bank shows them.
How the title is held, word for word from the deed.
Whether your state has a law for it, and whether you have one on record. The table below shows the states where we have read the law.
Each name checked against what the will says.
“make any changes necessary to conform to your will or estate plan”
FINRA · read October 20, 2026
The date you last checked each one.
What each account shows, and where the paperwork is, belongs on the planner's Beneficiary designations and Property and how title is held sheets. More on this at Probate, and what passes outside it, and Retirement accounts and life insurance.
Most estates owe no federal estate tax. That is the IRS's own sentence, not ours:
“Most relatively simple estates (cash, publicly traded securities, small amounts of other easily valued assets, and no special deductions or elections, or jointly held property) do not require the filing of an estate tax return.”
IRS · read October 20, 2026
The figures below are the IRS's, with the year each one is for.
These are the federal figures. They change by year, and the IRS has not yet published the 2027 amounts. Whether any of this applies to what you own is not a question this page answers. Some states have an estate or inheritance tax of their own. We have not yet read every state's revenue department, so the table below does not carry that column yet. More on taxes after a death is on its own page.
In some states, what a married couple earns and buys during the marriage belongs to both of them. That changes what a will can give away. We do not say what it means for your plan. We print the IRS's own list.
“This publication is for married taxpayers who are domiciled in one of the following community property states. Arizona. California. Idaho. Louisiana. Nevada. New Mexico. Texas. Washington. Wisconsin.”
IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026
“This publication doesn't address the federal tax treatment of income or property subject to the “community property” election under Alaska, Tennessee, and South Dakota state laws.”
IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026
So the IRS names nine states, and three more where a couple can choose it. Your state's row in the table below says which it is. What it means for a home, a business or a will is for your state's law and an attorney.
A will is a poor place for a sentence meant for one person. These are the things to write down somewhere your family will find them.
Burial or cremation, and what is already paid for. The full list is on the funeral planning checklist page.
“The Funeral Rule requires funeral directors to provide price information on the phone to any caller who asks for it.”
Federal Trade Commission · read October 20, 2026
Your choice, registered, and your family told.
“Sign up through your state, using the drop-down or map.” “Tell your family about your decision.”
organdonor.gov · read October 31, 2026
Sealed or open, and where they are.
Who has agreed to take them, and what each one needs.
A legacy contact set where the service allows one. The route to your password manager, never the password.
Who can unlock them. The person, not the code.
A list, dated and signed. A promise written here is a wish. If an item matters, it belongs in the will too.
Who gets it, and when.
The planner has a sheet for each of these: Funeral and burial wishes, Online accounts, Pets and animals. The free death binder records where everything is, account by account.
A signed paper nobody can find does nothing. This is the part most plans skip.
A drawer, a file box, a fireproof safe at home. Write the place down.
A box can be sealed after a death. If the will is in one, make sure someone else can open the box.
And can get to it without you.
The financial agent, the health care agent, your doctor.
“If that's your situation, consider preparing advance directives using the form for each state, and keep a copy in each place, too.”
National Institute on Aging · read October 31, 2026
The free death binder is that page, group by group.
This checklist says what to put in place. Where each account, policy and paper is kept is a longer list. That list is the death binder checklist, free on its own page. The planner below holds the records sheets and the people to tell.
“Think of your advance directives as living documents that you review at least once each year and update if a major life event occurs such as retirement, moving out of state, or a significant change in your health.”
National Institute on Aging · read October 31, 2026
The same habit serves the whole plan.
Tick the events that have happened since you last looked. Each one is a reason to read the plan again.
A marriage or a divorce can change what a will or a beneficiary form does. What it changes is set by your state's law. Read the plan after either one, and ask your state bar's referral service for an attorney if you are not sure.
Most of an estate plan is the same in every state. A few things are not. This table shows your state's own words, where we have read them, with the date. Where we have not read a state's rule yet, the cell says "not yet read". We never guess.
The five: whether the IRS lists the state as a community property state. Whether we have read the state's transfer-on-death deed law. What the law says happens to a will after a death. Who can tell you if a plan fits you. And the pages we have for the state.
| State | Community property (IRS list) | Transfer-on-death deed law | The will after a death | Who can tell you if it fits | Our pages for this state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “After the death of a testator and on request of an interested person, any person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it with reasonable promptness to a person able to secure its probate and if none is …” Code of Ala. §43-8-270 · read October 24, 2026 | An Alabama attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Alabama State Bar's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| Alaska | Not on the IRS list of nine; the IRS names it as a state with a community property election IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “After the death of a testator and on request of an interested person, a person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it with reasonable promptness to a person able to secure its probate and, if the …” AS 13.12.516 · read October 24, 2026 | An Alaska attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Alaska Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | ||
| Arizona | On the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “After the death of a testator and on request of an interested person, a person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it with reasonable promptness to a person able to secure its probate or, if none is …” A.R.S. §14-2516 · read October 24, 2026 | An Arizona attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The State Bar of Arizona's website names county bar associations that offer lawyer referral services. | ||
| Arkansas | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “A beneficiary deed transfers the interest to the designated grantee effective upon the death of the owner” Ark. Code §18-12-608(a)(1)(B), as amended by Act 570 of 2021, §1 · read October 24, 2026 | “A will may be deposited by the person making it, or by some person for him or her, with the circuit court of the county of his or her residence, to be safely kept until delivered or disposed of as provided in this …” Ark. Code §28-25-108(a), as amended by Act 272 of 2023 · read October 24, 2026 | An Arkansas attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Arkansas Bar Association has an online lawyer directory you can search. | |
| California | On the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “Unless a petition for probate of the will is earlier filed, the custodian of a will shall, within 30 days after having knowledge of the death of the testator, do both of the following: (1) Deliver the will, personally …” Cal. Prob. Code §8200 · read October 20, 2026 | A California attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The State Bar of California's website lists the lawyer referral services it certifies. | ||
| Colorado | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “An owner may transfer an interest in real property effective on the death of the owner by executing a beneficiary deed that contains the words” C.R.S. §15-15-404(1), as amended by HB18-1375 §13 · read October 24, 2026 | “The original Will must be filed with the Court.” JDF 906 (R: June 8, 2026) · read October 24, 2026 | A Colorado attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Colorado Bar Association has an online lawyer directory you can search. | |
| Connecticut | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “Any person having in his possession any will or codicil shall, forthwith, after he has knowledge of the death of the testator, deliver such will either to the person designated to be the executor or one of the persons …” Conn. Gen. Stat. §45a-282 · read October 24, 2026 | A Connecticut attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Connecticut Bar Association's website lists county lawyer referral services. | |
| Delaware | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “Any person, having the custody or possession of any instrument of writing purporting to be a last will and testament and intended to take effect upon the death of the testator therein named, shall produce and deliver …” 12 Del. C. §1301(a) · read October 24, 2026 | A Delaware attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Delaware State Bar Association's online lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | ||
| District of Columbia | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “An individual may transfer property to one or more beneficiaries effective at the transferor’s death by a transfer on death deed.” D.C. Code §19-604.05 · read October 24, 2026 | “Whoever, having possession of a testamentary instrument, willfully neglects, for the period of 90 days after the death of the testator becomes known to him, to deliver it to the Probate Court, or to the Register of …” D.C. Code §18-111 · read October 24, 2026 | A District of Columbia attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The D.C. Bar's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| Florida | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “The custodian of a will must deposit the will with the clerk of the court having venue of the estate of the decedent within 10 days after receiving information that the testator is dead.” Fla. Stat. §732.901 · read October 20, 2026 | A Florida attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Florida Bar's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| Georgia | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “Even if the will is not going to be probated, anyone who is in possession of the will of an individual who has died must bring the will to the Probate Court for filing.” Carroll County Probate Court (Georgia) · read October 20, 2026 | A Georgia attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The State Bar of Georgia's website lists the local and voluntary bar associations and says which of them offer referrals. | |
| Hawaii | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “Any individual may deposit with the court the original will and any codicils for safekeeping without probate after the death of the individual who executed the will.” Haw. Prob. R. 74(a), (c), (d) · read October 24, 2026 | A Hawaii attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Hawaii State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| Idaho | On the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “After the death of the testator, any person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it with reasonable promptness to a person able to secure its probate and if none is known, to an appropriate court.” Idaho Code §15-2-902 · read October 24, 2026 | An Idaho attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Idaho State Bar's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| Illinois | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “Immediately upon the death of the testator any person who has the testator's will in his possession shall file it with the clerk of the court of the proper county and upon failure or refusal to do so, the court on its …” 755 ILCS 5/6-1 (P.A. 96-137, eff. 1-1-10) · read October 16, 2026 | An Illinois attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Illinois State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | ||
| Indiana | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “After the death of a person, the person having custody of the decedent's will: (1) may” IC 29-1-7-3(a), (c) · read October 24, 2026 | An Indiana attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Indiana State Bar Association has an online lawyer directory you can search. | ||
| Iowa | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “After being informed of the death of the testator, the person having custody of the testator’s will shall deliver it to the court having jurisdiction of the testator’s estate.” Iowa Code §633.285 · read October 24, 2026 | An Iowa attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Iowa State Bar Association has an online lawyer directory you can search. | |
| Kansas | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “After the death of a testator the person having custody of the testator's will shall deliver it to the court which has jurisdiction thereof.” K.S.A. 59-621 · read October 24, 2026 | A Kansas attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Kansas Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | ||
| Kentucky | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “Any District Court, on being informed that a person has in his custody the will of a testator, may summon him, and, by proper process, compel him to produce it.” KRS 394.160 · read October 24, 2026 | A Kentucky attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Kentucky Bar Association's website lists local lawyer referral services. | |
| Louisiana | On the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “If a person has possession of a document purporting to be the testament of a deceased person, even though the person believes that the document is not the valid testament of the deceased or has doubts concerning the …” La. C.C.P. art. 2853(A) · read October 24, 2026 | A Louisiana attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Louisiana State Bar Association has an online lawyer directory you can search. | |
| Maine | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “After the death of a testator, a person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it with reasonable promptness to a person able to secure its probate or, if no such person is known, to an appropriate court …” 18-C M.R.S. §2-515 · read October 24, 2026 | A Maine attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Maine State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | ||
| Maryland | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “After the death of a testator, a person having custody of the testator’s will shall deliver the will to the register for the county in which administration should be had pursuant to § 5–103 of this article.” Md. Code, Est. & Trusts §4-203(b)(1), (c) · read October 24, 2026 | A Maryland attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Maryland State Bar Association's website lists county bar associations that can help you find one. | ||
| Massachusetts | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “Massachusetts does allow you to file your will with the court while you are still living.” Trial Court Law Libraries · read October 24, 2026 | A Massachusetts attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Massachusetts Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| Michigan | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “A custodian of a will or codicil or person having possession or care of a will or codicil shall forward it to the court having jurisdiction with reasonable promptness after the death of the testator either by delivering …” MCL 700.2516 · read October 24, 2026 | A Michigan attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| Minnesota | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “A deed that conveys or assigns an interest in real property, to a grantee beneficiary and that expressly states that the deed is only effective on the death of one or more of the grantor owners, transfers the interest …” Minn. Stat. §507.071, subd. 2, subd. 8 · read October 24, 2026 | “After the death of a testator and on request of an interested person, a person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it with reasonable promptness to an appropriate court.” Minn. Stat. §524.2-516 · read October 24, 2026 | A Minnesota attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Minnesota State Bar Association has an online lawyer directory you can search, and points to a lawyer referral service for the Twin Cities area. | |
| Mississippi | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | A Mississippi attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Mississippi Bar has an online lawyer directory you can search. | ||
| Missouri | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “After the death of the testator, the person having custody of his will shall deliver it to the probate division of the circuit court which has jurisdiction of the estate or to the probate division of the circuit court …” RSMo §473.043.1–.3 · read October 24, 2026 | A Missouri attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Missouri Bar has an online lawyer directory you can search. | ||
| Montana | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “After the death of a testator and on request of an interested person, a person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it with reasonable promptness to a person able to secure its probate and, if none is …” MCA 72-2-536 · read October 24, 2026 | A Montana attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The State Bar of Montana's lawyer referral service can help you find one. | ||
| Nebraska | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “After the death of a testator and on request of an interested person, any person having custody of a will of the testator is required to deliver it with reasonable promptness to a person able to secure its probate and …” Neb. Rev. Stat. §30-2356 · read October 24, 2026 | A Nebraska attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Nebraska State Bar Association has an online lawyer directory you can search. | ||
| Nevada | On the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “Any person having possession of a will shall, within 30 days after knowledge of the death of the person who executed the will, deliver it to the clerk of the district court which has jurisdiction of the case or to the …” NRS 136.050(1)–(2) · read October 24, 2026 | A Nevada attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The State Bar of Nevada's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | ||
| New Hampshire | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “Every person having the custody of a will shall, within 30 days after he has knowledge of the decease of the testator, deliver it to the court of probate, or to the person named therein as executor.” RSA 552:2, 552:4 · read October 24, 2026 | A New Hampshire attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The New Hampshire Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| New Jersey | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “The Superior Court shall have jurisdiction to compel discovery as to the existence or whereabouts of any paper purporting to be a will of any decedent who died a resident of the county, which has not been offered for …” N.J.S.3B:3-29 · read October 18, 2026 | A New Jersey attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The New Jersey State Bar Association's website lists county bar associations' lawyer referral services. | |
| New Mexico | On the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “An individual may transfer property to one or more beneficiaries effective at the transferor's death by a transfer on death deed.” NMSA 1978 §45-6-405 · read October 24, 2026 | “Any person having custody of a will shall, as soon as he is informed of the death of the testator, deliver the will to a person able to secure its probate or, if none is known, to an appropriate court.” NMSA 1978 §45-2-516(A), (C) · read October 24, 2026 | A New Mexico attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The State Bar of New Mexico has an online lawyer directory you can search. | |
| New York | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “Transfer on death deed authorized.” N.Y. Real Prop. Law §424(3), (7), (9)(c) · read October 24, 2026 | “Whenever it shall appear to the court … that there is reasonable ground to believe that any person has knowledge of the whereabouts or destruction of a will of a decedent the court may make an order requiring the person …” N.Y. SCPA 1401; 2402(8)(a) · read October 24, 2026 | A New York attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The New York State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| North Carolina | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “Any executor named in a will may, at any time after the death of the testator, apply to the clerk of the superior court, having jurisdiction, to have the will admitted to probate.” N.C. Gen. Stat. §28A-2A-1 · read October 17, 2026 | A North Carolina attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The North Carolina Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| North Dakota | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “After the death of a testator and on request of an interested person, a person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it with reasonable promptness to a person able to secure its probate, and if none is …” NDCC 30.1-11-02 · read October 24, 2026 | A North Dakota attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The State Bar Association of North Dakota's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | ||
| Ohio | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “A will may be deposited by the testator, or by some person for the testator, in the office of the judge of the probate court in the county in which the testator lives, before or after the death of the testator, and if …” Ohio Rev. Code §2107.07 · read October 16, 2026 | An Ohio attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Ohio State Bar Association's website lists county and city bar associations' lawyer referral services, by county. | ||
| Oklahoma | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “Every custodian of a will, within thirty days after receipt of information that the maker thereof is dead, must deliver the same to the district court having jurisdiction of the estate, or to the executor named therein.” 58 O.S. §21 · read October 24, 2026 | An Oklahoma attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Oklahoma Bar Association has an online lawyer directory you can search. | ||
| Oregon | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “Shall deliver the will to a court having jurisdiction of the estate of the testator or to a personal representative named in the will within 30 days after the date of receiving information that the testator is dead.” ORS 112.810(1)(f) · read October 24, 2026 | An Oregon attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Oregon State Bar's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | ||
| Pennsylvania | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “The register, at the request of any party in interest, shall issue a citation directed to any person alleged to have possession or control of a will of a decedent requiring him to show cause why it should not be …” 20 Pa.C.S. §3137 · read October 24, 2026 | A Pennsylvania attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Pennsylvania Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| Rhode Island | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “Every person, other than a probate clerk, who has custody of a will shall, within thirty (30) days after notice of the death of the testator, deliver the will into the probate court which has jurisdiction of the probate …” R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-7-5(a) · read October 24, 2026 | A Rhode Island attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Rhode Island Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| South Carolina | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “After the death of a testator, a person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver such will, within thirty days of actual notice or knowledge of the testator's death to the judge of the probate court having …” S.C. Code §62-2-901(a) · read October 24, 2026 | A South Carolina attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The South Carolina Bar's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| South Dakota | Not on the IRS list of nine; the IRS names it as a state with a community property election IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “Property may be transferred to one or more beneficiaries by a transfer on a death deed and is effective at the transferor's death.” SDCL 29A-6-403 · read October 24, 2026 | “After the death of a testator and on request of an interested person, a person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it with reasonable promptness to an appropriate court or to a person able to secure …” SDCL 29A-2-516 · read October 24, 2026 | A South Dakota attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. | |
| Tennessee | Not on the IRS list of nine; the IRS names it as a state with a community property election IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | not yet read | A Tennessee attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Tennessee Bar Association's website lists local bar associations' lawyer referral services and directories. | |
| Texas | On the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “On receiving notice of a testator's death, the person who has custody of the testator's will shall deliver the will to the clerk of the court that has jurisdiction of the testator's estate.” Tex. Est. Code §§252.201, 252.2015, 252.202 · read October 20, 2026 | A Texas attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The State Bar of Texas's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | ||
| Utah | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “An individual may transfer property to one or more named beneficiaries effective at the transferor's death by a transfer on death deed.” Utah Code §75-6-405 · read October 24, 2026 | “After the death of a testator and on request of an interested person, a person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it with reasonable promptness to a person able to secure its probate.” Utah Code §75-2-902 · read October 24, 2026 | A Utah attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Utah State Bar has an online lawyer directory you can search. | |
| Vermont | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “If a person has the custody of a will, within 30 days after learning of the death of the testator, the custodian shall deliver the will to the Probate Division of the Superior Court where venue lies or to the executor …” 14 V.S.A. §§103, 106 · read October 24, 2026 | A Vermont attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Vermont Bar Association's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| Virginia | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “A person or his attorney may, during the person's lifetime, lodge for safekeeping with the clerk of the circuit court serving the jurisdiction where the person resides any will executed by such person.” Va. Code §64.2-409 · read October 20, 2026 | A Virginia attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Virginia State Bar's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | ||
| Washington | On the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “Any person having the custody or control of any will shall, within thirty days after he or she shall have received knowledge of the death of the testator, deliver said will to the court having jurisdiction or to the …” RCW 11.20.010 · read October 20, 2026 | A Washington attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Washington State Bar Association's website lists county bar associations' lawyer referral services. | ||
| West Virginia | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “An individual may transfer property to one or more beneficiaries or contingent beneficiaries effective at the transferor's death by a transfer on death deed.” W. Va. Code §36-12-5 · read October 24, 2026 | “A person having custody of a will shall, within thirty days after the death of the testator is known to him deliver such will to the clerk of the county court having jurisdiction of the probate thereof, or to the …” W. Va. Code §41-5-1 · read October 24, 2026 | A West Virginia attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The West Virginia State Bar's lawyer referral service can help you find one. | |
| Wisconsin | On the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | not yet read | “Unless provided otherwise by county ordinance, any testator may deposit his or her will with the register in probate of the court of the county where he or she resides.” Wis. Stat. s. 853.09(1), (2) · read October 9, 2026 | A Wisconsin attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The State Bar of Wisconsin's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. | |
| Wyoming | Not on the IRS list of nine IRS Publication 555 · read October 31, 2026 | “Every custodian of a will, within ten (10) days after receipt of information that the maker thereof is dead, shall deliver the same to the clerk of the district court having jurisdiction of the estate or to the executor …” W.S. 2-6-119(a) · read October 24, 2026 | A Wyoming attorney can tell you whether this fits your situation. The Wyoming State Bar's lawyer referral service can refer you to one. |
"Not yet read" means we have not read that state's own rule. It does not mean the state has no rule.
The checklist says what to put in place. That is its whole job, and it does it for free.
Once the papers are signed, your family still has to find them, and find everything else. Then each bank, insurer and agency has to be told, one at a time. The checklist does not hold the records or say how to tell anyone. The planner does.
What to put in place, who you name, what skips the will, and your state's own rules. eight fill-in sections. Standard, large print, typeable. No email.
Records sheets for every account, policy, property and paper. How each organization says it wants to hear of a death, in its own words, with the date we read it. Eleven blank letters to tell them with. Your state's own pages. Wallet cards for the first call.
One sentence to decide by: if you want one place that holds what you have and who to tell, the planner is the next step. If a checklist is all you want, this page is it.
A couple. A parent. An adult child and a parent, doing it together. One sitting starts it; keep it current, and tell someone where it is.
