Estate Planning can be overwhelming. you can help a loved one navigate it.

Everyone needs support at times. If someone you know needs help with a will—like a parent, child, relative, or friend—you can offer reassurance now and comfort their family later. They may want to name you as an executor or co-executor, or they might not know how to begin estate planning. Here’s how you can assist:

start by Listening

This is about their wishes, estate, and legacy. Start by asking what they value and how they want to manage their assets. People often struggle with deeper questions like how to divide assets among family, who should be guardians for young children or pets, and where to start. It's normal to feel overwhelmed. Suggest breaking the process into small steps. This will likely take time and may require multiple discussions. As they learn more, they may have more questions. Stay patient and supportive.

share what you did

Share what worked for you, including any time-saving tips. What would you change if you could? By sharing your experience, you help others feel less scared and more informed.

would an Expert help?

If you used an estate planning lawyer, share their name. You can also help your loved one find an attorney using online tools provided by the American College of Trust and Estates Counsel and the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. An estate planning lawyer ensures all documents are organized and legally valid. There is a fee, but the peace of mind they provide may justify the cost. Having someone else guide the process can also prevent misunderstandings about your intentions. If the person's estate and family situation are simple, online will programs can be an easy and affordable option.

List Assets

List all assets, including their home and any property, bank accounts, retirement savings, investments, business stakes, life insurance (value), vehicles, annuities, and personal items like furniture, jewelry, and collections. Exact values aren't necessary—just good estimates will do. If a relative or friend feels overwhelmed, remind them that without a will, the state will decide how their estate is divided, typically favoring close family like spouses, children, parents, or siblings, which may not reflect their wishes.

talk about Guardianship

Who should be entrusted to raise young children, look after an adult child with disabilities or care for pets? It is critical that instructions be clear, especially in complex family situations.

Update Beneficiaries

A will or trust doesn’t include everything. Retirement plans, life insurance, donor advised funds, and commercial annuities require separate beneficiary forms to decide who gets them. Your friend or relative should check that they named someone on those forms and that it’s up to date. Changes in life, like a spouse's death, can cause someone to forget to update beneficiaries. Not doing so may result in assets going to unintended people.

Review Asset Titles

Asset titling is how an asset is owned—either by an individual, jointly with someone else, or in a trust or entity. Remember that assets owned jointly go directly to the surviving owner outside of a will. Encourage your friend or relative to check their asset titles with a banker, advisor, or attorney. This helps make sure all assets, like property and investments, are titled correctly and match their wishes.

remember Favorite Causes

Some people choose to leave part or all of their estate to help a meaningful organization after they pass. A nonprofit like Wenatchee Valley Humane Society can be included in a will with just one sentence. We can also be named as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, life insurance policy, or donor advised fund.

Know Where the will Is

Your relative or friend should keep the original signed document and a copy in a secure place, like a fireproof safe (not a bank safe-deposit box due to strict access rules). Their estate planning attorney might also store it safely in their office. Your loved one should inform their executor or personal representative about where the will or trust is located. They should share the safe's location and its combination or key, or provide the executor with the attorney's contact information.