An Estate Inventory Checklist for You

Creating an estate inventory might sound overwhelming, but it can also be kind of fun (-ish). You’re basically just writing down everything that’s important to you—from the family heirloom on the mantel (fun) to your online accounts (okay, less fun, but very necessary). And an inventory ensures that you don’t overlook anything. Here’s an estate inventory checklist to help you start!

Why Use an Estate Inventory Checklist?

Well, because your estate probably includes a lot more things than you realize. It’s not just obvious things of value like your home, car, and savings. It’s also less obvious things like sentimental items (e.g., family heirlooms), digital assets (e.g., social media accounts) and pets (yes, pets!).

1. Real Estate and Property

Some of the most significant assets on your estate inventory.

• Primary residence
• Vacation homes
• Rental properties
• Undeveloped land
• Timeshares
• Commercial properties

2. Financial Accounts

The details of every financial account you own.

• Checking accounts
• Savings accounts
• Certificates of deposit (CDs)
• Investment brokerage accounts
• Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, etc.)
• Health savings accounts (HSAs)
• Money market accounts
• College savings plans (like 529 plans)

3. Vehicles and Transportation

Beyond cars even—anything that gets you from Point A to Point B.

• Cars
• Motorcycles
• Boats
• RVs and campers
• Aircraft (yes, some people own planes!)
• Trailers
• Bicycles (electric or otherwise)

4. Personal Belongings and Collectibles

Items with personal or sentimental value—and sometimes big financial value, too.

• Jewelry
• Fine art
• Antiques
• Coin collections
• Stamp collections
• Memorabilia (sports, music, pop culture, etc.)
• Rare books

5. Household Items

Everyday things but still part of your estate.

• Furniture
• Appliances (large and small)
• Electronics (TVs, sound systems, gaming consoles, etc.)
• Kitchenware (dinnerware, utensils, cookware)
• Linens and bedding

6. Sentimental Items

Maybe not financially valuable but still priceless.

• Family photos (printed or digital)
• Scrapbooks
• Handwritten letters
• Heirlooms (like grandma’s china set)

7. Business Interests

Businesses or any professional partnerships.

• Sole proprietorships
• Shares in partnerships
• LLC memberships
• Corporate stocks
• Professional licenses or certifications

8. Insurance Policies

All insurance policies, both personal and property-related.

• Life insurance
• Health insurance
• Homeowner’s insurance
• Auto insurance
• Umbrella insurance
• Long-term care insurance

9. Digital Assets

Increasingly important in our digital world.

• Email accounts
• Social media accounts
• Digital photo libraries
• Online subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
• Cryptocurrency wallets
• Website domain names
• Cloud storage accounts

10. Debts and Liabilities

What you owe.

• Mortgages
• Auto loans
• Credit card balances
• Student loans
• Personal loans
• Outstanding medical bills

11. Legal Documents

Papers that outline your wishes and responsibilities.

• Will
• Trust documents
• Power of attorney
• Advance health care directives
• Titles and deeds
• Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements

12. Miscellaneous Assets

Items that don’t fit neatly into other categories but are just as important.

• Patents or trademarks
• Royalties or residuals
• Air miles or travel rewards points
• Gym memberships
• Club memberships (golf clubs, social clubs, etc.)

13. Cash and Valuables

Cold, hard cash or other valuables stored away somewhere.

• Cash (kept at home or in a safe)
• Gold or silver bars (some people have them)
• Rare coins
• Precious stones

14. Pets and Animal-Related Items

Yes, part of your estate!

• Dogs, cats, or other pets
• Livestock
• Aquarium fish
• Pet care supplies (like expensive habitats or kennels)

15. Retirement Benefits and Pensions

All retirement income sources.

• Pensions
• Social Security benefits
• Employer-sponsored retirement plans

16. Tax Information

Boring, but critical for managing your estate after you’re gone.

• Past tax returns
• Property tax records
• Tax-deferred investment accounts

17. Charitable Contributions

Regularly supported causes or plans to leave donations.

• Charitable donations
• Pledged gifts
• Endowments or scholarships

18. Hidden or Overlooked Assets

Not obvious but still hold value.

• Unclaimed property (check your state’s unclaimed property database!)
• Safe deposit box contents
• Prepaid funeral expenses

An Estate Inventory Checklist

There you have it—an estate inventory checklist for your estate planning journey. But while this list has a lot of stuff on it, it’s not exhaustive. Use it to get started on and then tailor it to your unique life and assets. And remember, an estate inventory isn’t just about money (ahem, pets!).