Estate planning forms and templates

Estate planning documents answer two questions: who decides for you when you cannot decide for yourself, and who receives what when you are gone. This category groups the core self-help documents most adults eventually need: the last will and testament, the living trust, the financial and medical powers of attorney, the living will and the advance healthcare directive, plus the codicil that amends an existing will and the revocation that cancels a power of attorney.

The powers of attorney split by scope and timing. A general power of attorney grants broad financial authority, a durable power of attorney survives the principal's incapacity, a limited power of attorney covers one defined task or period, and a medical power of attorney names the person who makes healthcare decisions when you cannot speak for yourself. Many states use their own name for that last document, such as healthcare proxy or patient advocate designation, and the state pages in this category use the local terminology.

Execution formalities are where estate documents most often fail. Witness counts, notarization requirements and self-proving affidavits vary by state, and a document signed the wrong way may be refused by a bank, a hospital or a probate court. The last will and the powers of attorney therefore come with per-state guides for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, each citing the statute that sets the signing requirements, so you know before printing whether you need two witnesses, a notary or both.

Every template uses a guided questionnaire with plain-English explanations of each choice: naming an executor or agent, appointing alternates, describing bequests, stating healthcare wishes. You see a live preview as you type and download the result as an editable Word file and a print-ready PDF.

These templates fit straightforward situations. If your estate involves significant assets, a blended family, potential contests or tax planning, use the template as preparation and have an estate attorney in your state finalize the plan.