Everyone should put together an estate plan that fits their needs – from something simple for a 30-year-old to a fully-funded trustbased estate plan for a 65-year-old. Estate planning is essential for everyone, but a few significant life events can trigger the need for an estate plan. Those events include:

The purchase or sale of a home or property
Marriage or divorce
The birth of a child
Adoption of a child
A move to another state

If you have experienced any of these life events, it’s time to start an estate plan, or update the plan you have. Without an estate plan, it can be difficult to carry out a person’s wishes and it may involve a lengthy probate case that can be very expensive. Having an estate plan in place provides peace of mind for you and your family.

Use this checklist to get started and see what a proper estate plan will look like for you.