What this tool is for

Estate planning can feel like a long list of separate jobs: writing a will, thinking about inheritance tax, setting up a power of attorney, deciding whether a trust is worth the bother. This tool pulls those jobs together into one checklist that reflects your own situation, so you can see what actually applies to you and what you can safely ignore.

It is not legal advice, and it does not replace a solicitor. Think of it as a starting point that helps you walk into a solicitor's office knowing what to ask about.

Who it is aimed at

It is useful if you are starting from scratch and are not sure what you need, or if you have a will from years ago and suspect it no longer reflects your life. Common triggers are buying a home, getting married or divorced, having children or grandchildren, inheriting money yourself, running a business, or owning property abroad.

It is also worth a look if your estate is likely to be near or above the inheritance tax threshold, if you have a blended family, or if you want to leave money to someone who is vulnerable or receives means-tested benefits. If your affairs are genuinely simple and you already have an up to date will and a power of attorney in place, you probably do not need it.

How it works

You answer a short set of questions about your assets, family, and what you want to happen after you die or if you lose capacity. The tool then produces a plain English checklist grouped by priority, with a short note on why each item matters and what to raise with a solicitor. Your answers are not saved once you leave the page, so you can be honest about figures without worrying about where the information goes. If you want to share the result with a partner or adviser, copy or print it before you close the tab.