Leave a clear plan for the people you love
Estate planning is more than a will. It's making sure your assets, your wishes, and your family are organized and protected — no matter what happens.
The greatest gift you can leave your family isn't money. It's clarity — knowing exactly what you wanted, and not having to guess.
A will is just the beginning
Most people think estate planning is just writing a will. But a complete estate plan covers much more — it addresses who makes decisions if you're incapacitated, how your accounts and property pass to heirs, how to minimize taxes and probate costs, and how to protect assets you want to pass to grandchildren.
Without a complete estate plan, even a modest estate can get tied up in probate for a year or more, cost thousands in legal fees, and cause family conflict that outlasts the estate itself. With a proper plan in place, your wishes are carried out efficiently and with minimal burden on the people you love.
Through your How2Medicare membership, you have access to guided estate planning tools that walk you through asset organization, beneficiary designations, trust considerations, and document storage — all in one place, at no cost.
Organize and document your assets
The first step in estate planning is knowing exactly what you own and ensuring everything is properly titled and documented. Our guided tool helps you create a complete inventory of your assets — bank accounts, real estate, investment accounts, life insurance, personal property, and more.
- Complete asset inventory tool
- Account and policy documentation
- Property title guidance
Name your beneficiaries correctly
Many assets — including retirement accounts, life insurance, and bank accounts — pass directly to named beneficiaries, bypassing your will entirely. Incorrect or outdated beneficiary designations are one of the most common estate planning mistakes. Our tool guides you through reviewing and updating every beneficiary designation.
- Beneficiary review checklist
- Primary and contingent beneficiary guidance
- Coordination with your will
Understand trusts and advanced options
For some people, a will alone isn't enough. Trusts can help you avoid probate, protect assets from creditors, provide for a spouse while preserving assets for children, or support a family member with special needs. Our guidance helps you understand whether a trust is right for your situation.
- Revocable living trust guidance
- Probate avoidance strategies
- Guidance on when to involve an attorney
Building your estate plan step by step
Inventory your assets
Document what you own — accounts, property, insurance policies, and personal property of value.
Name your people
Designate beneficiaries, name an executor for your will, and identify who you want making decisions if you're incapacitated.
Create your documents
Complete your will, review beneficiary designations, and explore whether a trust is right for your situation.
Organize and store everything
Store your documents securely and make sure the right people know where to find them.
Estate planning questions, answered
Give your family the gift of clarity
Access the estate planning tools inside your free How2Medicare member dashboard.
Free service · No obligation · Licensed specialists