Estate Planning Checklist California: What to Include (and Why It Matters)

Estate planning may sound intimidating, but at its heart, it’s all about being wise and leaving a legacy for the people you care about most. California inheritance law can be complicated, and having a clear plan can save your loved ones time, taxes, and stress while keeping personal matters private.

Whether you’re just starting out or updating an existing plan, this California estate planning checklist guide walks you through what to include and why it matters.

Note: See below for a free printable estate planning checklist so you can track your progress.

✔️ Take Inventory

Begin by listing everything you own (aka your “estate”) — your home, savings, retirement accounts, investments, vehicles, life insurance, and even sentimental items. You can’t protect what you haven’t identified. A complete inventory also makes it easier for your executor or trustee to locate assets and settle affairs efficiently.

✔️Choose Fiduciaries — The People Who Carry Out Your Wishes

Every estate plan needs a few key people who can step in and carry out your wishes when life takes an unexpected turn. In California, it’s important to designate a person to fill the following roles:

• An Executor to handle your estate, pays final bills, and distributes property according to your will.
  
• A Trustee to manage the assets you’ve placed in a trust, keeping them safe and used as you’ve directed.
  
• A Financial Power of Attorney to oversee banking, investments, or property if you can’t.
  
• A Health Care Agent to speak with doctors and make treatment choices if you’re unable to.
  

Choose people who are organized, responsible, and understand your values. It’s not about picking the closest person or a family member by default — it’s about choosing someone you trust to act wisely and compassionately.

✔️ Update Beneficiaries — Small Step, Big Impact

Life changes, and your estate plan should be in sync. Many people don’t realize that beneficiary forms for things like life insurance, IRAs, and investment accounts override your will or trust. If those names are outdated, your assets could end up going to the state or into court.

Whenever there’s a major life event — disability, marriage, divorce, the birth or adulthood of a child or grandchild, or even a new job with a retirement plan — take a moment to review your beneficiary list and estate plan with your attorney to understand important implications; it’s one of the simplest ways to make sure your loved ones are protected.

✔️ Create Key Documents

 These are the core components of a strong California estate plan:

• A Will (or Pour-Over Will) ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes and names guardians for any minor children. Without a will, your assets will be subject to California intestate succession.
  
• Durable Power of Attorney authorizes a trusted person to manage your finances if you become incapacitated.
  
• An Advance Health Care Directive specifies your medical preferences and appoints someone to make health decisions on your behalf.
  
• A Living Trust can spell out your wishes, help maintain privacy, and streamline asset transfers. If you’re wondering how to avoid probate in California, a properly funded trust is your answer.
  

Together, these documents create a clear roadmap that protects your wishes and eases the burden on your loved ones.

✔️ Include Your Online Accounts in Your Estate Plan

Today, much of our personal and financial life exists online. From online banking and investment portals to family photos and email, these accounts matter just as much as physical assets. Keep a secure record of usernames, passwords, and instructions for managing or closing each account. Doing this now spares your loved ones stress later and keeps your information safe; strict digital privacy laws may prevent your loved ones from accessing important accounts when they need to.

✔️ Understand Taxes and Probate

Probate serves an important role: it keeps things orderly and ensures everyone’s treated fairly. But it can also be slow and costly, which is why so many families wonder how to avoid probate in California. If your California estate is worth more than $208,000, probate may be required unless your assets are held in ways that transfer automatically, such as through a living trust, joint title, or transfer-on-death deed.

And then there’s Proposition 19, which has changed how inherited homes are taxed. Your kids can only keep your low property tax rate if they live in the home as their primary residence. Without the right plan, they could face a steep reassessment or be forced to sell.

✔️ Review Regularly

Think of your estate plan like a regular check-up. Tax laws have a tendency to change with every administration change. Updating your plan keeps it legally sound and aligned with your current life and priorities — and may spare your family unnecessary taxes and surprises later on.

A California estate planning attorney can ensure that your estate plan is up to date and enforceable by law. 

FAQs about California Estate Planning

Final Thoughts and a Printable Estate Planning Checklist California

At Gammon & Grange, we’ve seen how powerful good planning can be. It doesn’t just settle legal matters — it brings families together and eases uncertainty during life’s most challenging moments.By planning ahead, you give your family clarity, comfort, and the confidence to carry your legacy forward. As a California estate planning attorney, I’d be honored to help. Click on the chart below to download your free California estate planning checklist.