Succession Planning Summary

Produces a single reference document that consolidates all estate planning instruments for executors, trustees, and beneficiaries.

Header disclaimer: This summary does not replace legal counsel. Mark unverified or ambiguous provisions with [REQUIRES LEGAL REVIEW].

Prerequisites

Estate planning instruments — wills, codicils, trust agreements, beneficiary designation forms
Fiduciary documents — powers of attorney, healthcare directives/proxies
Asset inventory — real property, financial accounts, business interests, significant personal property
Amendments or restatements — with dates, to establish document priority

Quick Start

Collect all instruments and confirm which is most recent for each category
Build the executive overview table (plan structure, beneficiaries, fiduciaries)
Map every asset to its transfer mechanism (probate, trust, or beneficiary designation)
Document each trust, fiduciary appointment, and special provision
Draft the administration timeline with statutory deadlines
Flag gaps, conflicts, and time-sensitive items

Output Structure

1. Executive Overview

| Element | Content | |---|---| | Plan structure | Revocable trust-centered, will-based, or hybrid | | Primary beneficiaries | Named individuals/entities with relationship | | Major asset categories | Real property, financial, business, personal property | | Distribution philosophy | Equal split, needs-based, conditional, phased | | Key fiduciaries | Executor, trustee(s), guardian(s) |

2. Asset Distribution Map

Organize by transfer mechanism. Use this table for each asset:

| Asset | Transfer Mechanism | Primary Beneficiary | Contingent Beneficiary | Conditions | |---|---|---|---|---| | {asset} | probate / trust / beneficiary designation | {name, %} | {name, %} | {if any} |

Probate assets: specific bequests, percentage/residuary allocations, contingent chains. Non-probate transfers: beneficiary designations (retirement, life insurance, POD/TOD), joint tenancy, trust-funded assets.

3. Trust Structures

For each trust:

| Field | Detail | |---|---| | Name & type | e.g., Revocable Living Trust, ILIT, SNT, CRUT | | Trustee / Successor | Names, order of succession | | Purpose | Asset protection, tax planning, special needs, charitable | | Funding source | Pour-over will, direct transfer, beneficiary designation | | Distribution standard | HEMS, discretionary, mandatory income, unitrust % | | Distribution timing | Age-based, milestone-based, immediate, staggered | | Termination trigger | Age attainment, death, purpose fulfilled |

Note trust-to-trust relationships and pour-over provisions.

4. Fiduciary Appointments

| Role | Primary | Successor(s) | Scope / Limitations | |---|---|---|---| | Executor / Personal Rep. | | | | | Trustee (per trust) | | | | | Guardian (minor children) | | | | | POA — Financial | | | Durable? Springing? | | POA — Healthcare / Proxy | | | | | Trust Protector | | | Modification powers? |

5. Special Provisions

Flag each that applies:

Conditions precedent (age, sobriety, education milestones)
Tangible personal property memoranda
Business succession (buy-sell, management transition)
Charitable giving (outright, CRT, private foundation, DAF)
Tax planning structures (A/B trust, QTIP, GRAT, dynasty trust)
Spendthrift / asset protection clauses
In terrorem (no-contest) clauses
Digital asset provisions

6. Administration Timeline

| Phase | Actions | Deadline | |---|---|---| | Immediate (0–30 days) | Secure assets, locate documents, notify institutions, file death certificate | — | | Short-term (1–6 months) | Open probate if required, file inventory, notify beneficiaries, apply for EIN | Creditor period varies by state | | Mid-term (6–12 months) | Asset valuation, Form 706 decision (9 mo + 6-mo extension), disclaimer deadline (9 mo) | IRC § 2518 | | Distribution | Satisfy debts/taxes, fund sub-trusts, make bequests, distribute residuary | After creditor period closes | | Closing | Final accounting, beneficiary receipts, petition to close | — |

7. Gaps, Conflicts & Action Items

Flag each:

Assets not addressed by any instrument
Contradictions between documents (e.g., will vs. beneficiary designation)
Outdated designations (pre-divorce, deceased beneficiaries)
Missing referenced documents (e.g., personal property memorandum)
State-specific issues requiring local counsel
Time-sensitive elections or disclaimers at risk

Guidelines

Define legal terms in plain language parenthetically on first use
Cross-reference related provisions across instruments (pour-over will → trust, designation → trust sub-account)
Beneficiary designations generally control over will/trust provisions — flag conflicts for attorney review
Include a table of contents for estates with 3+ trusts or 10+ distinct assets
Attribute every statement to its source document and date