Will Prep Checklist: Everything you need to start your Will

Thinking about your Will can feel like a big step. It’s one of the most important things you can do to protect the people you love and the assets you value, ensuring your legacy lives on according to your own terms.

But many people fail to create a Will simply because they don’t know where to start. From confusing legal jargon to mountains of paperwork to sky-high attorney costs, it can all start to feel overwhelming.

With Herbie, making your Will doesn’t have to feel like a dreaded chore. Our affordable, easy-to-use tools make modern estate planning accessible to everyone, guiding you step-by-step through building a plan at your own pace so you can take charge with confidence.

This checklist will walk you through everything that will be helpful to gather or consider before you begin creating your Will with Herbie. Whether you’re starting out for the first time or finally feel ready to update out-of-date documents, we’ll help you feel confident and supported every step of the way.

Will Prep Checklist

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand before you start:

1. Basic Info About Your Loved Ones

In Herbie, you’ll enter this information into My Circle, a section that visualizes your family, beneficiaries, and trusted advisors.

You’ll be asked to provide:

• Your relationship status
• Name and contact info for your spouse or partner
• Names and birthdates of any children
• Names and contact info of anyone you'd like to name as a guardian of your children, executor of your Will, or backup decision-maker

Pro tip: Even if you’re not 100% sure who to name yet, it helps to start with a shortlist.

‍2. An Overview of What You Own

In Herbie, you’ll be able to add your personal property and possessions into the My Assets page.

We’ll guide you through common asset types. For each, you’ll enter some basic information and the estimated value.

These are the types of personal property and assets worth starting to think about:

• Real Estate – Any real estate you own, like your home, vacation homes, farmland, or rental properties – as well as any mortgages on the property
• Financial Accounts – Bank accounts (like your checking or savings accounts), brokerage and investment accounts, or retirement accounts like your 401(k) or IRA
• Personal Property – Valuable items such as jewelry, art, collectibles, heirlooms, cars or boats
• Life Insurance & Annuities – Any life insurance policies or annuities that will pay out to beneficiaries after you pass away
• Debts – Outstanding loans or any other liabilities you want to note
• Businesses and Other Investments – Ownership in a company, shares in a startup, private equity, or other investments
• Online Accounts – Digital accounts like email, social media, and cloud storage

You don’t need to dig up every document—just have a general sense of your belongings and your assets before you get started.

‍3. Your Wishes

In Herbie, you’ll have a dedicated page called My Wishes, where you’ll be asked to make a few decisions about your assets, such as:

• Who do you want to inherit your assets?
• Is there any item of property that you want to go to a specific person (like a family heirloom or item of jewelry)?
• Do you want to make a cash gift to any person or charity?

You can always make changes later, but having a general sense of your wishes will help the process go more smoothly.

‍4. Your Trusted People

A few important roles to think about ahead of time:

• Executor: The person who will carry out the instructions in your Will, making sure your wishes are followed
• Guardians: If you have minor children, who should care for them if something happens to you?
• Alternates: It’s always good to name backups in case someone is unavailable

You may find it helpful to check out our other blog post that covers how to choose an Executor and factors to consider when naming your children’s Guardian.

‍Bonus: Emotional Prep

Creating a Will isn’t just about the paperwork. It’s also a meaningful, enduring act of care for those you love most. In creating your Will and specifying your wishes, you might find yourself reflecting on your values, your loved ones, and your legacy.

Consider setting aside quiet time in a comfortable space to go through the process without distractions. You don’t need to finish it all in one sitting – Herbie automatically saves your progress as you go – but starting with intention can help.

Ready to get started?

With Herbie, creating your Will is free, fast, and simple. Once you’ve gathered the basics and feel ready, we’ll guide you through each step with clear, helpful prompts.