This section helps us get a clear picture of what you own, and what may eventually come into your estate, so we can prepare planning documents that fit your situation. To keep things simple, you will start by checking boxes for the types of assets you have, and then you will enter more detail on the following pages.
Estimates are completely fine. If you are unsure about an asset, include it and we can refine the details later.
Why we ask about assets
We ask for asset details so we can understand the size and mix of your estate, which helps determine the complexity of planning and whether tax planning may be relevant. Asset information also helps us identify property that may require special handling, such as
- real estate in other states,
- business interests,
- or regulated property.
What to enter in the “Value” field
Use an estimated fair market value, meaning the price a willing buyer and seller would likely agree on today.
Examples include
- using an estimated value from Zillow, Redfin, or a tax assessment for real estate;
- an approximate balance for bank accounts;
- the current balance for retirement or investment accounts;
- and a reasonable estimate for collections or personal property items.
These values are primarily used to understand the overall scale of your estate and whether estate or gift tax planning may be relevant. Exact numbers are not required at this stage.
Asset categories on this page
Below are the types of assets you may see on the checklist, along with guidance on what to include.
Real estate
Include any real estate you own, whether individually or with others. Examples include:
- a primary residence,
- vacation home,
- rental property,
- condominium,
- cabin,
- or vacant land.
Timeshares should be included only if you own a deeded interest, not if you hold points or weeks through a program.
For the location, include at least the city and state.
- If real estate is held in a revocable trust or title-holding trust, it should still be listed here.
- If property is owned through an LLC, especially rental or leased property, it should be listed under business interests instead.
- Real estate located outside your home state or outside the United States should also be included, as this may create additional planning considerations.
Bank accounts and cash
Include checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and similar accounts. Approximate balances are sufficient.
Retirement plans
Include retirement accounts and their approximate balances. The type of account can affect tax treatment and planning.
Common examples include
- a 401(k), which is an employer-sponsored plan funded with pre-tax contributions;
- a Traditional IRA, which is funded with pre-tax dollars and grows tax-deferred;
- a Roth IRA, which is funded with after-tax dollars and grows tax-free;
- a SEP IRA, which is commonly used by self-employed individuals or small business owners;
- a SIMPLE IRA, which allows both employer and employee contributions; and a 403(b), which is often offered by nonprofit organizations and educational institutions.
Non-retirement investment accounts
Include brokerage or investment accounts with approximate balances. You do not need to list individual securities or holdings at this stage.
Life insurance
This section helps us understand any life insurance policies connected to you so they can be considered as part of your estate plan. Life insurance can provide liquidity, support family members, fund trusts, or support charitable goals, so it is helpful for us to know about existing coverage.
Please include policies you own as well as policies that insure your life, including employer-provided coverage if the death benefit exceeds $100,000.
For each policy, we aim to understand the owner of the policy, the insured person, the general type of policy if known, and an estimated death benefit amount.
The owner is the person or entity responsible for the policy and premium payments. The insured is the person whose life is covered by the policy. The owner and insured may be the same person, but they do not have to be.
Common types of life insurance include:
- term life insurance, which provides coverage for a fixed period such as 10, 20, or 30 years;
- whole life insurance, which provides lifetime coverage and builds cash value;
- hybrid or universal life insurance, which combines elements of term and permanent coverage;
- and second-to-die or survivorship insurance, which insures two lives and pays out only after both individuals have died.
At this stage, you do not need to decide how life insurance should be used in your estate plan. We simply want to understand what policies exist.
If you are unsure about a policy, it is generally better to include it.
Personal property
Personal property refers to physical items that are not real estate or financial accounts. Examples include valuable art, jewelry, vehicles, or collectibles.
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ou do not need to list every personal item. Instead, include items or collections with an estimated value above $10,000. For example, you might write “two vehicles worth $50,000,” “a jewelry collection worth $22,000,” or “art and antiques worth $30,000.”
If you own regulated property, such as firearms, please list those separately.
Ownership or operation of a business
If you own, operate, or invest in a business, additional details will be needed. Separate guidance is typically provided for completing the business interests section.
Stock options or equity compensation
Equity-based compensation can hold significant value and may have tax implications, so it should be included.
If possible, note whether awards are vested or unvested, as vesting can affect valuation and planning.
Examples include:
- stock options, which allow you to purchase company shares at a specific price;
- restricted stock units, which grant shares at a future date after certain conditions are met;
- performance shares, which are awarded based on performance goals;
- and stock appreciation rights, which provide a payout based on the increase in stock value.
Money owed to you
Include any money owed to you, such as personal loans, unpaid wages, or settlement proceeds. These assets are sometimes overlooked but may affect estate planning.
For example, if a beneficiary owes you money, your estate plan may take that loan into account when determining distributions.
Potential inheritance over $100,000
If you expect to receive an inheritance greater than $100,000, you may include a rough estimate. Future inheritances can affect planning decisions and may create opportunities to coordinate with the person making the gift.
Other asset types
There are many types of assets people may own. If you have assets that do not fit neatly into the categories above, please include them.
Examples include:
- intellectual property rights such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, or royalties;
- donor-advised funds, which are charitable giving accounts that allow you to recommend grants to charities over time;
- private family foundations created for charitable purposes;
- transferable club memberships;
- Section 529 education savings plans;
- ABLE accounts designed to support individuals with disabilities;
- mineral rights such as ownership interests in oil, gas, or other mineral resources;
- and deferred compensation arrangements where income is earned now but paid in the future.
Including these assets helps ensure your estate plan reflects the full scope of what you own and how those assets may affect your planning.