Estate Planning Checklist for Indians
Comprehensive estate planning checklist for Indians - step-by-step guide to organize your affairs, create essential documents, and ensure smooth wealth transfer.
Estate Planning Checklist for Indians
A complete estate plan ensures your wishes are honored, your family is protected, and your assets transfer smoothly. Use this comprehensive checklist to organize your affairs and create a proper estate plan.
Why You Need This Checklist
Benefits of Planning
Estate Planning Ensures:
- Family is provided for
- Assets go where intended
- Taxes minimized
- Disputes prevented
- Quick asset transfer
- Business continuity
- Minor children protected
Without Planning
Consequences:
- Legal battles
- Family disputes
- Frozen assets
- Tax complications
- Delayed distribution
- Government involvement
- Unintended beneficiaries
Part 1: Personal Information
Basic Details
Document For Each Family Member:
□ Full legal name
□ Date of birth
□ PAN number
□ Aadhar number
□ Passport number
□ Voter ID
□ Current address
□ Email and phone
□ Blood group
□ Medical conditions
Family Tree
Create Record Of:
□ Parents (living or deceased)
□ Spouse details
□ Children (minor and adult)
□ Grandchildren
□ Siblings
□ Dependents
□ Key relationships
□ Any estranged relations
Key Contacts
List With Details:
□ Family lawyer
□ CA/Tax advisor
□ Financial planner
□ Insurance agent
□ Banker
□ Family doctor
□ Trusted friends
□ Business partners
□ Employees (key)
Part 2: Asset Inventory
Bank Accounts
For Each Account:
□ Bank name and branch
□ Account number
□ Account type
□ Approximate balance
□ Linked phone/email
□ Nomination status
□ Joint holder details
□ Location of checkbook
□ Online banking credentials (secure)
Fixed Deposits
For Each FD:
□ Bank/Institution
□ FD number
□ Amount
□ Maturity date
□ Interest rate
□ Nomination status
□ Auto-renewal setting
□ Location of FD receipt
Investments
Mutual Funds:
□ AMC names
□ Folio numbers
□ Type of funds
□ Approximate value
□ Nomination status
□ Demat/Statement mode
Stocks:
□ Demat account details
□ DP name
□ DP ID
□ Client ID
□ Stock holdings
□ Approximate value
□ Nomination status
PPF:
□ Bank/Post Office
□ Account number
□ Balance
□ Maturity date
□ Nomination status
NPS:
□ PRAN number
□ Fund value
□ Nominee details
□ Tier details
Other Investments:
□ NSC, KVP
□ Bonds
□ Alternative investments
□ Gold bonds
□ Cryptocurrency (if any)
Real Estate
For Each Property:
□ Property description
□ Address
□ Type (residential/commercial/land)
□ Area (sq ft/acres)
□ Registration details
□ Survey/Plot number
□ Current market value
□ Loan outstanding (if any)
□ Rental income (if any)
□ Tenant details
□ Location of documents
□ Joint owner details
□ Encumbrances
□ Insurance
Vehicles
For Each Vehicle:
□ Type and make
□ Registration number
□ Insurance details
□ Loan status
□ Location of RC
□ Nominee (if any)
Insurance Policies
Life Insurance:
□ Company name
□ Policy number
□ Type of policy
□ Sum assured
□ Maturity date
□ Premium amount/due date
□ Nominee details
□ Location of policy
Health Insurance:
□ Company name
□ Policy number
□ Coverage amount
□ Family members covered
□ Renewal date
□ Claim process
Other Insurance:
□ Home insurance
□ Vehicle insurance
□ Travel insurance
Retirement Benefits
EPF:
□ UAN number
□ Employer
□ Approximate balance
□ Nomination status
Gratuity:
□ Eligibility status
□ Approximate amount
□ Nomination
Pension:
□ Type (if any)
□ Details
□ Survivor benefits
Superannuation:
□ Details if applicable
Business Interests
If You Own Business:
□ Business name
□ Nature of business
□ Structure (sole prop/partnership/company)
□ Ownership percentage
□ Partner/shareholder details
□ Approximate value
□ Key employees
□ Succession plan
□ Buy-sell agreements
□ Key documents location
Digital Assets
List:
□ Email accounts
□ Social media accounts
□ Online banking
□ Investment platforms
□ Cryptocurrency wallets
□ Subscription services
□ Domain names/websites
□ Digital photos/documents storage
□ Password manager details
Personal Property
Valuable Items:
□ Jewelry (with photos)
□ Art and collectibles
□ Antiques
□ Electronics
□ Furniture (valuable)
□ Sentimental items
□ Location of items
□ Locker details
Part 3: Liabilities
Loans
For Each Loan:
□ Lender name
□ Loan type
□ Account number
□ Original amount
□ Outstanding balance
□ EMI amount
□ Due date
□ Interest rate
□ Security/collateral
□ Insurance (if any)
□ Co-borrower/guarantor
Credit Cards
For Each Card:
□ Bank name
□ Card number (last 4 digits)
□ Credit limit
□ Outstanding balance
□ Auto-pay setup
□ Add-on card details
Other Liabilities
Document:
□ Personal loans
□ Borrowings from family/friends
□ Tax liabilities
□ Legal liabilities
□ Guarantees given
□ Pending court cases
Part 4: Essential Documents
Will
Check:
□ Will drafted?
□ All assets covered?
□ Executor named?
□ Guardian for minors named?
□ Witnesses signed?
□ Registered (if desired)?
□ Copy with lawyer/family?
□ Last updated date?
□ Need to update?
Trust (If Applicable)
Check:
□ Trust deed created?
□ Trustees appointed?
□ Beneficiaries clear?
□ Assets transferred?
□ Registration done?
□ Compliance maintained?
Power of Attorney
Check:
□ General POA needed?
□ Specific POA for property?
□ Healthcare POA/proxy?
□ Registered?
□ With appropriate person?
Nominations
Update Nominations For:
□ Bank accounts
□ Fixed deposits
□ Insurance policies
□ Mutual funds
□ Stocks (Demat)
□ PPF
□ NPS
□ EPF
□ Gratuity
□ Pension
Living Will (If Desired)
Check:
□ Living will created?
□ Healthcare preferences clear?
□ Proxy/guardian named?
□ Witnesses signed?
□ Filed with JMFC?
□ Family informed?
Part 5: Document Organization
Physical Documents
Organize and Store:
□ Property documents
□ Will (original)
□ Insurance policies
□ Loan documents
□ Birth certificates
□ Marriage certificate
□ Educational certificates
□ Employment records
□ Tax returns (last 7 years)
□ Business documents
Safe Storage
Secure Location:
□ Bank locker (list contents)
□ Home safe (combination noted)
□ With lawyer (what's there)
□ With family member (what's there)
Digital Backup
Create Digital Copies:
□ Scan all important documents
□ Store in cloud (secure)
□ Password protected
□ Share access with trusted person
Master Document List
Create Index:
□ Document name
□ Where original is stored
□ Where copy is stored
□ Who has access
□ Last updated date
Part 6: Family Communication
Family Meeting
Discuss:
□ Overall estate plan
□ Will provisions (general)
□ Who is executor
□ Who is guardian for children
□ Where documents are
□ Key contacts
□ Expectations
□ Special wishes
Letter of Intent
Write Personal Letters:
□ To spouse
□ To children
□ To executor
□ Your values
□ Family history
□ Wishes for family
□ Special instructions
□ Messages of love
Minor Children
If You Have Minor Children:
□ Guardian named in will
□ Backup guardian named
□ Trust for their assets
□ Education wishes
□ Values to instill
□ Family traditions
□ Health information
□ School preferences
Part 7: Tax and Legal Planning
Tax Efficiency
Review:
□ Gift tax implications
□ Capital gains planning
□ HUF benefits used?
□ Trust tax considerations
□ Nominee vs heir tax
□ Estate tax (future possibility)
Legal Review
Consult Lawyer About:
□ Will validity
□ Property title clarity
□ Business succession
□ Disputed assets
□ Pending litigation
□ Cross-border issues (NRI)
Professional Team
Assemble:
□ Estate planning lawyer
□ Tax advisor
□ Financial planner
□ Insurance specialist
□ Business advisor (if needed)
Part 8: Special Situations
Business Owners
Additional Planning:
□ Succession plan documented
□ Key person insurance
□ Buy-sell agreement
□ Partnership deed review
□ Company documents updated
□ Employee benefits reviewed
□ Business valuation done
NRIs
Additional Considerations:
□ Indian assets documented
□ FEMA compliance
□ Repatriation plan
□ Cross-border will
□ Tax treaties understood
□ POA for India
□ Local advisor in place
Second Marriage/Blended Families
Special Attention:
□ Previous obligations
□ Stepchildren provisions
□ Ex-spouse rights
□ Current spouse rights
□ Clear documentation
□ Possible disputes addressed
Special Needs Dependents
Plan For:
□ Special needs trust
□ Guardian with expertise
□ Long-term care arrangements
□ Government benefits preserved
□ Caregivers identified
□ Medical information
□ Financial provision
Part 9: Regular Review
Annual Review Checklist
Every Year Check:
□ New assets acquired?
□ Assets sold?
□ Family changes (births, deaths, marriages)?
□ Nominee updates needed?
□ Will update needed?
□ Insurance adequate?
□ Beneficiary changes?
□ Document locations current?
□ Contact information current?
□ Laws changed?
Trigger Events for Update
Update Plan When:
□ Marriage or divorce
□ Birth of child/grandchild
□ Death in family
□ Significant asset acquisition
□ Selling major asset
□ Starting business
□ Retiring
□ Moving abroad
□ Serious illness
□ Laws change significantly
Part 10: Final Instructions
Funeral Wishes
Document (Optional):
□ Cremation or burial
□ Religious ceremonies
□ Location preferences
□ People to notify
□ Special requests
□ Donations in lieu of flowers
Organ Donation
If You Wish:
□ Donor card completed
□ Family informed
□ Noted in living will
□ Registration done
Immediate Actions List
Create List For Family:
□ First people to call
□ Immediate financial needs
□ Access to funds
□ Passwords/codes
□ Key document locations
□ Pending matters
□ Ongoing obligations
Master Checklist Summary
Essential Documents Created:
□ Will
□ Power of Attorney
□ Living Will (optional)
□ Trust (if needed)
□ Nomination forms updated
□ Asset inventory complete
□ Liability list complete
□ Document storage organized
□ Family informed
□ Professional team identified
□ Regular review scheduled
Getting Started
If Starting Fresh
Priority Order:
1. Create asset/liability inventory
2. Update all nominations
3. Draft will
4. Organize documents
5. Communicate with family
6. Review with professionals
7. Set up regular review
If Reviewing Existing Plan
Check:
1. Is will current?
2. Nominations updated?
3. New assets included?
4. Family changes reflected?
5. Documents accessible?
6. Contacts current?
Conclusion
Estate planning is not a one-time task but an ongoing process. This checklist provides a comprehensive framework to ensure nothing is missed and your family is protected.
Key Takeaways:
- Start now—don’t delay
- Document everything—assets, liabilities, wishes
- Update nominations—across all accounts
- Create a will—essential for everyone
- Organize documents—know where everything is
- Communicate—family should know basics
- Review regularly—annual review minimum
- Seek help—professionals for complex situations
Your Estate Plan Is Complete When:
- All assets documented
- Will is in place
- Nominations updated
- Family informed
- Documents organized
- Review scheduled
Use this checklist as a starting point. Your situation may require additional considerations. Consult professionals for personalized advice.