Step 1 of 10

Whose will is this? ?Use the full legal name as it appears on a driver's license or passport, and the current home address.

Step 2 of 10

Family ?A will states marital status and names every child so no one can later claim they were forgotten. A child left off this list may be able to claim a share.

Step 3 of 10

Who gets the personal belongings? ?Personal belongings are physical things: vehicles, furniture, clothing, jewelry, electronics, and keepsakes. Money and financial accounts are covered in the next step.

Step 4 of 10

Who gets the money and financial accounts? ?Cash, bank accounts, loans owed to you, investments, business interests, and anything else not covered in the previous step. Accounts with a named beneficiary, such as an annuity or IRA, pay that beneficiary directly and are not included.

Everything else

Step 5 of 10

Who is the executor? ?The executor carries out the will. They collect the assets, pay final bills and taxes, file the will with the court, and hand out what is left to the people named. Pick someone organized who will be available.

Step 6 of 10

Final arrangements ?Written instructions about burial or cremation are legally binding in California. A one-line directive goes in the will. The details go in the personal records document kept with it, since a will is often not read until after the service.

Burial or cremation?

Service

Step 7 of 10

Do you have any of the following? ?Anything locked, rented, or put away that the executor would not find on their own. This goes in the personal records document, not the will.

Step 8 of 10

Passwords and codes ?The codes the executor needs on day one: phone, email, Apple or Google account, computer, banking, and card PINs. Leave a row blank to skip it.

Step 9 of 10

Where will it be signed? ?The date is written by hand at signing. Two adult witnesses must be in the room at the same time and watch the signature. A witness cannot be anyone named in this will.

Step 1 of 6

Who will act for you? ?This person is the agent. They can pay bills, move money, deal with banks and insurers, and sign for you while you are alive. The authority ends at death. Pick someone you trust completely.

Step 2 of 6

Backup agent ?Steps in only if the first agent cannot or will not act. Optional.

Step 3 of 6

What can the agent handle? ?The California form lists thirteen categories. Granting all of them is normal and is what banks expect. Limiting them means the agent may get turned away when something unexpected comes up.

Step 4 of 6

Extra permissions ?California requires these to be spelled out, or the agent does not have them even with all powers granted.

Step 5 of 6

When does it take effect? ?Immediately means the agent can act as soon as it is signed. Only if incapacitated means a doctor must first certify in writing that you cannot manage your affairs. Banks often balk at that version.

Step 1 of 7

Who speaks for you on medical care? ?This person is your health care agent. If you cannot make or communicate decisions, they talk to the doctors and decide for you, following the wishes you set out here. Choose someone who will show up and hold firm.

Step 2 of 7

Alternate agents ?Step in, in order, only if the agent before them cannot or will not act. Optional.

First alternate

Second alternate

Step 3 of 7

When can the agent decide? ?Under the California form, the agent's authority normally begins only when your primary physician determines you cannot make your own decisions. You can instead let it begin immediately, so the agent can help with the doctors right away.

Step 4 of 7

End-of-life decisions ?These are the instructions doctors follow if you cannot speak for yourself. Relief from pain is always included: treatment for comfort is provided even if it hastens death.

Step 5 of 7

Organ donation ?Your choice here is binding and overrides anything on a driver's license.

Step 6 of 7

Primary physician ?The doctor who coordinates your care. Optional, but it tells the hospital who to call.

Step 1 of 5

Whose records? ?Providers match this release to your chart by name and date of birth, so both have to be exact.

Step 2 of 5

Who may receive your medical information? ?Doctors and hospitals can only talk to the people named here. Your health care agent should be on this list.

Step 3 of 5

What can be shared? ?Federal law treats some records as extra sensitive and requires you to say yes to them separately. If you leave one off, providers will refuse to discuss it even with the people you named.

Also include

Step 4 of 5

How long does this last? ?A release has to say when it ends. Until revoked is the usual choice and you can cancel it in writing at any time.