Legacy
Start estate planning with your household, documents, and wishes
In short
Start estate planning by listing your accounts, dependents, existing documents, and the people you would want to act for you. A will, beneficiary forms, and documents for decisions during your lifetime serve different purposes. State law and account rules matter, so have a qualified local attorney review the plan.
You can prepare for an estate-planning conversation before choosing a legal document. Gather what you own and owe, who depends on you, and what you would want to happen if you could no longer manage things yourself.
For a household that gives regularly, charitable wishes can be part of that list alongside family needs. Writing down an intention helps you explain it; making the intention legally effective requires the right documents and formalities.
Make an inventory before choosing a tool
List bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, insurance, property, debts, and business interests. Record how to locate statements and documents without putting passwords into an unsecured checklist.
Then list the people who depend on you and any circumstances the adviser should know: minor children, a blended family, a dependent receiving benefits, or property in another state. These details help identify questions a generic form may not address.
Bring to the first conversation
- A list of accounts, property, debts, and how each is owned.
- Existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and care directives.
- Current beneficiary information from account providers.
- People you would ask to act, plus possible backups.
- Family needs and any charitable wishes you want to discuss.
Understand what a will can and cannot do
A will records how you want covered property distributed and can name the person you want to administer the estate. It is not the only estate-planning document, and not every asset necessarily passes under it.
The California Courts self-help guide distinguishes wills from trusts, powers of attorney, and advance-care documents. Use it as an introduction to the different jobs, then check the rules where you live. A will alone does not cover every decision that might be needed during incapacity.
Talk about guardian nominations
If you have minor children, ask an attorney how to record your preferred guardian and a backup. Talk with those people about willingness, practical responsibilities, and the resources that would support the child.
A nomination states your preference; it does not bypass a surviving parent's rights or a court's role. California's statutory will form, for example, describes a nomination when a minor child has no living parent. The rules and procedure in your state need review.
Review beneficiary forms separately
Do not assume that changing your will updates a retirement plan's beneficiary record. The IRS explains that beneficiaries must be designated through the plan's procedures and that some plans require particular beneficiaries.
Marriage and other household changes are reasons to review the forms. The IRS notes that many plans require a spouse's written consent for a change. Ask the provider what is currently recorded, what consent is needed, and how to confirm an update.
Make charitable wishes precise
Write down the organization you want to support, whether you have a particular purpose in mind, and the amount or share you want to discuss. Ask the organization for its correct legal name and any information your attorney needs.
Have the attorney check how the gift fits with family needs, account rules, and the rest of the plan. Do not assume that naming a charity on a form settles every legal or tax question.
Finish the documents and make them findable
Ask who must sign, witness, or acknowledge each document under the applicable rules. Confirm where originals should be kept, who should have access, and when you should return for a review.
UniFi's household goals can help you plan a cost such as professional advice. UniFi does not create wills, provide a legal document vault, or determine who inherits your property.
Key takeaways
- Gather the household facts before choosing documents.
- A will, account beneficiary forms, and lifetime-decision documents have different jobs.
- A guardian nomination is a preference within the applicable legal process.
- Confirm state requirements and account rules with qualified help.
Questions people ask
Where should I start with estate planning?
List accounts, property, debts, dependents, existing documents, and your intended decision-makers. Bring the list to a qualified attorney in your state to identify the documents and updates you need.
Does my will control who gets every account?
Do not assume so. Retirement plans use their own beneficiary procedures, and ownership arrangements can affect how other property passes. Review the will and account records together with your attorney and providers.
Does naming a guardian in my will decide who raises my child?
It records your preference. It does not remove a surviving parent's rights or the applicable court process. Ask a local attorney how guardian nominations work in your circumstances.
Can I include my church in an estate plan?
You can discuss a charitable gift with your attorney. Confirm the organization's legal identity and explain the amount or purpose you want. Have the attorney check the appropriate documents and any account or tax rules.
Can UniFi create my will or store legal documents?
No. UniFi does not currently create wills or provide a legal document vault. Household goals can help you budget for professional advice, but the legal plan belongs with qualified counsel.
Sources
Reviewed September 11, 2026. State-specific examples are identified in the article.
UniFi's Legacy page links to a free online will and keeps your estate checklist beside your budget and goals. Your attorney handles the documents; UniFi keeps the list.
See goals and Legacy in UniFiThis is a general U.S. educational checklist, not legal or tax advice. The California examples illustrate concepts, not rules for every state. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.