Estate Planning templates for United States
Browse all 50 free estate planning legal templates for United States. Download as PDF or Word.
Wills & Testaments
Beneficiary Designation Form
Who gets your retirement account, life insurance payout, or investment fund if something happens to you? Without a Beneficiary Designation Form on file, that decision could end up in probate court — costing your loved ones time, money, and stress during the worst possible moment. This form lets you name exactly who receives your assets, in what percentage, and who steps in as a backup. It covers primary and contingent beneficiaries, their relationship to you, and contact details. Our free template keeps it simple. Fill in the blanks, download as PDF or Word, and make sure your wishes are clear.
Estate Planning Checklist
Nobody likes thinking about what happens after they’re gone, but putting it off only makes things harder for the people you leave behind. An Estate Planning Checklist is a practical starting point — it helps you inventory your assets, identify who gets what, list your important accounts and documents, name guardians for minor children, and outline your healthcare directives. Think of it as a roadmap for your loved ones. It doesn’t replace a will or trust, but it makes sure nothing gets overlooked. Our free template covers assets, debts, beneficiaries, important contacts, and key documents. Download as PDF or Word.
Ethical Will
A personal legacy document — distinct from a legal will — in which you record your values, life lessons, beliefs, hopes, and messages for family and loved ones.
Executor Appointment / Letter of Testamentary
Who’s going to handle your affairs after you’re gone? An Executor Appointment is the document that names the person responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will — paying debts, distributing assets, filing final tax returns, and dealing with probate court. It’s one of the most important decisions in estate planning, and putting it in writing ensures there’s no confusion or family conflict later. The document covers the executor’s identity, their powers and duties, compensation terms, and successor executors if the first choice can’t serve. Our free template walks you through it. Download as PDF or Word.
Holographic Will
A handwritten will template that meets the legal requirements in states that recognize holographic wills. Covers beneficiary designations, specific bequests, executor appointment, and guardian nomination for minor children.
Inheritance Agreement / Heir's Agreement
Families don't always see eye to eye on who gets what. An Inheritance Agreement lets heirs sort things out while everyone's still on speaking terms — dividing property, assigning specific assets, and handling debts before emotions run high. It can supplement or clarify a will, or settle disputes among beneficiaries. Our template covers asset distribution, conditions, waivers, and signatures for all parties involved. Enter your details, see the document take shape in real time, and download as PDF or Word — free, no sign-up needed.
Joint Will
Create a single testamentary document executed by two people (typically spouses) with this US Joint Will, setting out how assets pass on the first death and on the survivor's subsequent death.
Last Will and Testament
Nobody likes thinking about it, but a Will is how you make sure your family, your belongings, and your wishes are taken care of when you're gone. It names who gets your property, who looks after your kids, and who you trust to carry out your instructions. Without one, the state decides — and it might not match what you'd want. Our template walks you through beneficiaries, executors, guardians, and specific bequests. Fill it in, preview in real time, and download as PDF or Word — free, no account needed.
Last Will And Testament Codicil
Create a comprehensive Last Will and Testament Codicil with our free online template. A codicil is a legal supplement that amends specific provisions of your existing will without replacing the entire document. Use it to update beneficiaries, modify asset distribution, change executor appointments, or add new provisions. This template ensures your amendments are properly formatted and legally valid when witnessed according to your state requirements. Fill out guided fields, preview in real time, and download as PDF or Word. Includes electronic signature support. We recommend consulting with an estate planning attorney for complex situations. Valid in all 50 US states.
Pour-Over Will
Create a comprehensive Pour-Over Last Will and Testament with our free online template. This specialized will directs any assets not already placed in your living trust to be transferred into the trust upon your death. It serves as a safety net ensuring no assets are left outside your estate plan. Specify beneficiaries, name an executor, appoint guardians for minor children, and document your final wishes. Fill out guided fields, preview in real time, and download as PDF or Word. Includes electronic signature support. We recommend consulting with an estate planning attorney for complex situations. Valid in all 50 US states.
Living Will / Advance Directive
Create a comprehensive Living Will (Advance Directive) with our free online generator. This legal document lets you specify your healthcare preferences, end-of-life treatment wishes, and appoint a healthcare proxy to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Customize directives for life-sustaining treatment, pain management, organ donation, and more. Fill out guided fields, preview in real time, and download as PDF or Word. Electronic signature support included. Valid in all 50 US states when properly witnessed. We recommend consulting an estate planning attorney for complex situations.
Advance Healthcare Directive
What happens if you're in a coma or can't speak for yourself? A Living Will (Advance Directive) tells doctors and your family exactly what medical treatment you do or don't want — life support, resuscitation, pain management, organ donation. It takes the guesswork out of impossible decisions and spares your loved ones from agonizing over what you'd choose. Our template covers end-of-life care preferences, healthcare proxy designation, and specific treatment instructions. Fill it out, preview live, and download as PDF or Word — free, no sign-up.
Mutual Will
Create coordinated wills for two people with this US Mutual Will. Covers beneficiaries, executors, guardian appointments, specific bequests, and residuary estate distributions.
Self-Proving Affidavit for Will
Attach a Self-Proving Affidavit to your Last Will and Testament to allow probate courts to admit the will without requiring witnesses to testify in person. Compliant with US state notarization requirements.
Simple Will (Last Will and Testament)
Create a legally valid US Simple Will naming beneficiaries, appointing an executor, and providing for minor children's guardianship. Covers personal property, real estate, residuary estate, and testamentary wishes with proper execution formalities.
Testamentary Trust Declaration
Create a Testamentary Trust Declaration to establish a trust that takes effect upon your death through your Last Will and Testament. Includes discretionary trust, marital/QTIP trust (IRC 2056 marital deduction), minor child trust, and special needs trust options. Covers trustee powers under the Uniform Prudent Investor Act, Crummey withdrawal powers, generation-skipping transfer tax (IRC 2601) planning, spendthrift provisions (UTC 502), IRS Form 1041 filing requirements, and portability election (IRC 2010(c)(5)(A)).
Trust Agreement
Want to protect your assets and control how they're distributed after you're gone — or even while you're still alive? A Trust Agreement lets you do exactly that. It names the trustee, lists the beneficiaries, defines how and when assets are distributed, and sets rules for managing the trust. It can help avoid probate, reduce estate taxes, and ensure your wishes are followed. Whether it's a revocable living trust or an irrevocable one, the details matter. Our free template walks you through it. Preview and download as PDF or Word.
Power of Attorney
General Power of Attorney
What happens when you can’t handle your own affairs — whether you’re traveling abroad, recovering from surgery, or dealing with a health crisis? A General Power of Attorney lets you appoint someone you trust to act on your behalf for financial, legal, and personal matters. They can sign documents, manage bank accounts, handle real estate transactions, and make decisions when you’re unable to. It’s one of the most important documents in personal planning. Our free template covers the agent’s powers, effective dates, limitations, and revocation procedures. Download as PDF or Word.
Power of Attorney
Life gets complicated — what happens if you can't make it to a real estate closing, need someone to handle your finances while you're overseas, or want a trusted person making medical decisions on your behalf? A Power of Attorney solves all of these. It legally authorizes someone you trust to act in your name for specific matters. Our free template lets you choose the scope of authority, set time limits, and include safeguards. Fill it out online, preview the document, and download a ready-to-sign PDF or Word file.
Power Of Attorney Child
Create a professional Power of Attorney for Child with our free online generator. Authorize a trusted individual to make decisions on behalf of your minor child regarding healthcare, education, travel, and daily care. Essential for parents who travel, are deployed military, or need temporary guardianship arrangements. Define the scope of authority, duration, and specific limitations. Includes provisions for medical consent and school enrollment. Preview in real time and download as PDF or Word. Electronic signature support included. Valid across all 50 US states. Consult an attorney for complex custody situations.
Power Of Attorney Durable
Create a professional Durable Power of Attorney with our free online generator. Designate a trusted agent to manage your financial, legal, and business affairs even if you become mentally incapacitated. Unlike a standard power of attorney, this document remains in effect during incapacity. Define the scope of authority including banking, real estate, investments, tax matters, and business operations. Preview in real time and download as PDF or Word. Electronic signature support included. Valid across all 50 US states when properly witnessed and notarized. Essential for comprehensive estate planning.
Financial Power of Attorney
Authorize a trusted agent to manage your financial affairs with a US Financial Power of Attorney. Grant authority over bank accounts, investments, real estate, taxes, benefits, and business transactions. Choose durable power (effective during incapacity) or non-durable power, and comply with your state's statutory requirements.
Power Of Attorney Limited
Create a professional Limited Power of Attorney with our free online generator. Authorize an agent to act on your behalf for specific, clearly defined transactions or time periods. Unlike a general power of attorney, this document restricts the agent's authority to particular tasks such as signing a specific contract, managing a real estate closing, or handling a single financial transaction. Preview in real time and download as PDF or Word. Electronic signature support included. Valid across all 50 US states. Ideal when you need temporary, task-specific representation.
Power Of Attorney Medical
Create a professional Medical Power of Attorney with our free online generator. Designate a trusted healthcare agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to communicate your wishes. Define the scope of medical decision-making authority including treatment options, surgical consent, medication management, and end-of-life care preferences. Preview in real time and download as PDF or Word. Electronic signature support included. Valid across all 50 US states when properly witnessed. Essential component of a complete advance care planning strategy.
Power Of Attorney Motor Vehicle
Create a professional Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney with our free online generator. Authorize an agent to handle vehicle-related transactions on your behalf including title transfers, registration renewals, lien releases, and DMV paperwork. Essential when you cannot appear in person at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Define the specific vehicle, authorized transactions, and duration of authority. Preview in real time and download as PDF or Word. Electronic signature support included. Valid across all 50 US states. Check your state DMV for any additional specific requirements.
Real Estate Power of Attorney
Authorize an agent to handle real estate transactions on your behalf with a US Real Estate Power of Attorney. Grant authority to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or manage specific real property, set an expiration date, and record the POA with the county recorder for use at closing.
Power Of Attorney Revocation
Create a professional Power of Attorney Revocation with our free online generator. Formally revoke and terminate a previously granted power of attorney, ending your agent's authority to act on your behalf. Specify the original document being revoked, the date of revocation, and provide notice to all relevant parties including financial institutions and the former agent. Preview in real time and download as PDF or Word. Electronic signature support included. Valid across all 50 US states. Ensure proper notification to all parties who relied on the original power of attorney.
Springing Power of Attorney
Create a Springing Power of Attorney that only becomes effective upon a specified triggering event — typically a physician's certification of the principal's incapacity. Maintain full control of your affairs while healthy, while ensuring a trusted agent has authority to act when you cannot.
Tax Power of Attorney (IRS Form 2848)
Authorize a representative to act on your behalf before the Internal Revenue Service with a Tax Power of Attorney aligned with IRS Form 2848. Designate a CPA, attorney, or enrolled agent to represent you in audits, appeals, or tax matters, specify the tax years and types covered, and define the scope of authority granted under IRS regulations.
Special / Limited Power of Attorney
Need someone to handle one specific task on your behalf — like signing a property deed, managing a bank account, or representing you at a closing? A Special Power of Attorney is narrower than a general one. It grants authority for a single, clearly defined action and usually expires once that task is done. It's perfect when you can't be somewhere in person but need legal representation for a particular matter. Our free template lets you specify the exact powers granted, the agent, and the timeframe. Download as PDF or Word.
Trusts
Certificate of Trust
Create a professional Certificate of Trust with our free online generator. This sworn legal document provides essential information about a trust without disclosing its full contents. It confirms the trust's existence, identifies the trustees and their powers, and specifies the trust's legal name and date of creation. Commonly used by banks, title companies, and financial institutions to verify trust authority during real estate transactions or account openings. The certificate protects the grantor's privacy while satisfying third-party verification requirements. Fill out the interactive form, preview in real time, and download as PDF or Word. Includes notary section and electronic signature support. Valid in all US jurisdictions.
Charitable Remainder Trust
Establish a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) to receive an income stream during your lifetime while donating the remainder to charity upon termination. This template covers both CRAT (annuity trust) and CRUT (unitrust) structures, IRC Section 664 compliance, trustee duties, qualified charity designation, and IRS reporting obligations under Treasury Regulations.
Education Trust
Establish a dedicated Education Trust to fund a beneficiary's educational expenses with this US Education Trust Agreement. Covers trustee duties, eligible education expenses, distribution standards, investment powers, and termination upon completion of schooling under the Uniform Trust Code.
Irrevocable Trust
Establish an irrevocable trust to remove assets from your taxable estate, protect assets from creditors, and provide for beneficiaries with this US Irrevocable Trust Agreement.
Living Trust Form
Create a comprehensive Living Trust with our free online template. A living trust is a legal arrangement that places your assets under the management of a trustee for the benefit of your chosen beneficiaries. It allows your estate to avoid probate, provides privacy, and enables a smooth transfer of assets upon your death or incapacity. Specify how your assets should be distributed, name beneficiaries, appoint a successor trustee, and include provisions for minor children or special needs dependents. Fill out guided fields, preview in real time, and download as PDF or Word. Includes electronic signature support. Valid in all 50 US states.
Trust Amendment Form
Create a comprehensive Trust Amendment with our free online template. This legal document allows you to modify specific provisions of your existing living trust without revoking and recreating the entire trust. Common amendments include adding or removing beneficiaries, changing the successor trustee, updating asset distribution instructions, or modifying trust administration terms. Ensures your estate plan stays current as your circumstances change. Fill out guided fields, preview in real time, and download as PDF or Word. Includes electronic signature support. We recommend consulting with an estate planning attorney for complex amendments. Valid in all 50 US states.
Pet Trust
Protect your pet's care and welfare after your death or incapacity with a US Pet Trust. Designate a caregiver and trustee, fund the trust with sufficient assets for your pet's lifetime needs, specify care standards and preferences, and ensure remaining assets are distributed to beneficiaries after the pet's death.
Special Needs Trust
Create a Third-Party Special Needs Trust to provide supplemental financial support for a disabled beneficiary without disqualifying them from government benefits such as SSI and Medicaid. Covers trustee duties, permissible distributions, and government benefit preservation.
Spendthrift Trust
Protect a beneficiary's inheritance from creditors, poor financial decisions, and improvident spending with this US Spendthrift Trust. Includes trustee discretion over distributions, anti-alienation clause, and creditor protection provisions recognized under US trust law.
Trust Certification
A notarized Certificate of Trust summarizing key provisions of a living trust for third-party reliance — including trustee authority, trust name, and successor trustees — without disclosing the full trust document.
Trust Distribution Letter
A trustee letter formally notifying a beneficiary of their trust distribution, specifying the amount or assets being distributed, the legal basis in the trust, and any conditions or withholdings under US trust law.
Healthcare Directives
Advance Directive Form
Create a professional Advance Directive Form with our free online generator. This essential legal document allows you to specify your healthcare preferences in case you become unable to communicate your wishes. It covers life-sustaining treatment decisions, organ donation preferences, pain management instructions, and designation of a healthcare agent or proxy. Recognized in all US states, an advance directive ensures your medical care aligns with your personal values. Fill out the interactive form with guided fields, preview your document in real time, and download as PDF or Word. Includes electronic signature support under the ESIGN Act. No registration required.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order
Document a patient's or authorized representative's instruction not to administer CPR with this US DNR Order. Covers patient identification, attending physician information, scope of the order, applicable state POLST/MOLST requirements, and legally valid signature.
Healthcare Proxy
A legal document appointing a healthcare agent to make medical decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so. Covers agent authority, limitations, successor agents, and HIPAA authorization for medical record access.
HIPAA Authorization Form
Need to share your medical records with a new doctor, an insurance company, or a family member? A HIPAA Authorization Form gives the green light for a covered entity to release your protected health information — but only to the specific people you choose. This template lets you specify exactly which records to share, the purpose of the disclosure, and a clear expiration date. Revoke it whenever you want. Fill out the details, preview instantly, and download as PDF or Word — completely free, no sign-up required.
Medical Consent Form
Heading into surgery, a medical procedure, or experimental treatment? A Medical Consent Form documents that a patient understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives — and agrees to proceed. It's not just paperwork; it's informed consent, a cornerstone of medical ethics and a legal shield for practitioners. Our template covers the procedure description, known risks, expected outcomes, the right to refuse, and provider information. Fill in the details, preview in real time, and download as PDF or Word — free, no sign-up needed.
Medical Records Release Authorization
Switching doctors, applying for disability benefits, or dealing with an insurance dispute? You'll likely need to authorize the release of your medical records. This form lets you specify exactly which records, from which provider, to whom, and for what purpose — keeping you in control of your own health data. It's required under HIPAA and state privacy laws. Our template covers the patient and provider info, record types, authorized recipients, and expiration. Fill it out, preview, and download as PDF or Word — free, no account.
Organ Donor Designation
Document your organ, tissue, and body donation wishes with a US Organ Donor Designation form. Specify which organs and tissues may be donated, designate recipient limitations, and record your anatomical gift decisions to complement your state driver's license registry enrollment.
Estate Administration
Estate Inventory
A comprehensive estate inventory form for executors and administrators to catalog a decedent's real property, personal property, financial accounts, and debts for probate court and estate administration.
HIPAA Authorization Form (Estate)
A HIPAA-compliant medical records release authorization specifically for estate administration, enabling executors and personal representatives to access a decedent's protected health information for probate and estate purposes.
All United States templates →