What to Include in a Will: A Complete 2026 Checklist

When you sit down to write a will, one of the first questions is, “What exactly should I list?”

A will doesn’t need to include every tiny detail of your life, but it does need to give clear instructions about who receives your belongings and who handles things on your behalf.

The good news: for many people with straightforward finances, you don’t need legal language, complicated forms, or a lawyer to decide what to include. You just need a simple, organized approach. Organizations such as AARP and the American Bar Association emphasize that clarity and proper signing usually matter more than perfect legal phrasing.

This guide walks you through what you should (and shouldn’t) include in a will so nothing important is missed.

What Your Will Should Cover

A complete basic will usually addresses:

• Your financial assets (money, accounts, certain policies)
• Your personal belongings (sentimental and valuable items)
• Digital assets (accounts, files, access)
• Who inherits what (your beneficiaries)
• Who handles everything (your executor)
• Guardianship decisions (if you have children or pets)

Below is a structured breakdown of each category.

1. Financial Assets

You don’t need account numbers or exact balances, just enough clarity so your executor knows what you mean.

Common items to include:

• Bank accounts (checking, savings, credit unions)
• Investment accounts
• Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA)
• CDs or brokerage accounts
• Any financial accounts you intend to distribute through your will rather than a separate beneficiary form

Organizations such as AARP note that a simple, organized list of financial accounts reduces confusion and helps prevent conflict later.

How to write it:

• “My savings account at Chase goes to my daughter.”
• “My Fidelity investment account goes to my brother.”

2. Personal Property

These are the everyday items that matter to you or your family.

You don’t need to list every spoon or T‑shirt; focus on meaningful or potentially contested items.

Include:

• Jewelry
• Family heirlooms
• Collectibles
• Furniture or artwork
• Electronics or hobby equipment

Examples:

• “My grandmother’s necklace goes to my niece.”
• “My guitar goes to my best friend.”

Clear instructions avoid future disagreements, which AARP notes are extremely common when sentimental items aren’t specified.

3. Real Estate (If You Own Property)

If you’re a renter, you can skip this part.

If you own:

• A home
• A rental property
• Land
• Co‑owned real estate

Simply state who should receive your share.

Example:

• “I leave my home at 123 Bay Street to my spouse.”

You do not need:

• A deed copy
• A full legal description
• Coordinates or parcel numbers

Simple, accurate identification is usually enough.

4. Digital Assets

This is a big category people often forget.

Include:

• Email accounts
• Cloud storage
• Social media accounts
• Subscriptions or digital services
• Digital photos or files
• Password managers
• Cryptocurrency or digital wallets

Legal resources, including Cornell Law’s Legal Information Institute, note that digital assets are increasingly part of modern estate planning and should be clearly addressed.

Example:

• “I give access to my digital accounts and cloud storage to my executor.”

If you use a password manager, don’t list passwords in your will (wills can become public record). Instead, state who should receive access and make sure they can locate your password manager information securely.

5. Beneficiary‑Specific Gifts (“Bequests”)

These are specific items or amounts you want to leave to specific people.

Typical bequests:

• Sentimental items
• Particular sums of money
• A car
• A piece of jewelry
• A book or art collection
• A pet

Why this matters: bequests reduce ambiguity. Organizations such as NCOA explain that unclear instructions are a major reason estates face delays or disputes.

6. Your Executor

Your executor is the person who carries out your wishes.

They’ll typically:

• Pay any outstanding bills and final expenses
• Distribute assets
• File necessary paperwork
• Close accounts
• Make sure your instructions are followed

Choose someone organized, calm, and trustworthy. Many people choose a spouse, adult child, or close friend. You can also name a backup executor in case your first choice cannot serve.

7. Guardianship (If You Have Children or Pets)

If you’re a parent or pet owner, this may be the most important part of your will.

Include:

• A primary guardian
• A backup guardian
• Any specific wishes or notes (school preferences, values, pet care details, etc.)

Example:

• “I name my sister as guardian of my children, and my cousin as alternate guardian.”

You can keep this section brief. The key is naming someone, rather than leaving the decision entirely to a court.

8. Debts and Liabilities (Optional)

You don’t have to list every individual debt, but you can include general guidance such as:

• “Any remaining debts should be handled using funds from my estate.”

Your executor, often with professional help, will handle the specifics of paying creditors according to state law.

9. What Not to Include in a Will

This is just as important as what you do include.

Do NOT include:

• Passwords
• PIN numbers
• Detailed account numbers
• Funeral or burial instructions (these are often better in a separate document shared with family)
• Anything you want kept private (wills can become public record in probate)

Assets with their own beneficiary forms

Some assets usually bypass the will entirely and go directly to the named beneficiary:

• Life insurance
• Retirement accounts
• Some pensions
• Payable‑on‑death (POD) or transfer‑on‑death (TOD) bank and investment accounts

If you want to update who receives these, do it directly with the provider, not in your will.

10. How to List Assets Clearly (Simple Method)

Use this simple formula:

1. Name the asset
2. Describe it in plain language (no legal jargon required)
3. Say who gets it

Examples:

• “My Honda Civic goes to my son.”
• “My wedding ring goes to my granddaughter.”
• “My savings account at Wells Fargo goes to my spouse.”

According to the American Bar Association, clarity and proper execution typically matter far more than using perfect legal language. When in doubt, write your wishes in the simplest, clearest way possible.

Create Your Will with HeirLight

HeirLight helps you turn this checklist into a real, usable will.

• Guided questions in plain English
• Coverage for your will, healthcare directive, and power of attorney in one experience
• Designed for first‑time planners and people with simple estates who want clarity without overwhelm

You start for $0, work through each decision, and then print and sign your documents according to your state’s rules.

Important: HeirLight is not a law firm and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. Our tools are educational and self‑help in nature. For complex situations or legal advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a licensed attorney.

If you’ve been “meaning to do this for years,” consider using this checklist and HeirLight to get a basic plan in place. Your future self (and your family) will be glad you did.