Estate Planning Software Features Checklist for 2026
Estate planning is one of the most meaningful things a person can do for the people they love. But for most, it can feel like too much—confusing paperwork, unclear steps, and no real sense of where to begin or what comes next.
The right estate planning software guides people through each step, making a daunting process feel manageable.
This checklist covers the features that matter most, so you can choose a platform that truly supports your clients.
What is Estate Planning Software?
Estate planning software is a digital platform that helps individuals and families create, store, and manage the legal documents and personal records that determine what happens to their assets, their care, and their wishes after they're gone.
A strong platform does more than generate documents. It guides people through complex decisions without assuming legal knowledge, keeps everything organized in one secure place, and makes it simple to share plans with the right people at the right time.
For professionals, the right portal lets you extend your support, track engagement, and stay connected with clients throughout their planning journey.
Part 1: The Consumer Platform Checklist
Section 1: Core Document Creation that is legally valid
At the heart of any estate planning platform is its ability to help people actually create the legal documents they need.
A strong platform offers guided, step-by-step flows for every essential document, with built-in compliance and clear explanations at each decision point.
Look for:
Last Will & Testament — guided creation, not a fill-in-the-blank form
Revocable Living Trust — step-by-step workflow with plain-language explanations
Power of Attorney — covers financial decision-making if incapable
Advance Healthcare Directive — documents medical wishes and appoints a healthcare proxy
Funeral Directive / Funeral Preferences — documents final arrangement wishes so loved ones don't have to guess
Document outputs — completed documents produced and accessible, not only saved as drafts
Next-steps guidance after signing — the platform tells users what to do once documents are created (e.g., how to sign, notarize, store, and share)
Why it matters: Most people who start an estate plan never finish. Guided workflows with clear progress and next steps are what help people actually complete their plans, instead of getting stuck along the way.
Section 2: Asset Inventory & Household Visibility
A will or trust is only as useful as the asset information behind it. The best platforms help families build and keep an up-to-date inventory, so nothing gets missed.
Look for:
Asset overview/inventory hub — a central place to list and manage all assets
Category-based asset entry — property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, digital assets, and more
Document, photo, and note attachments — the ability to attach supporting files to each asset entry
Beneficiary assignment per asset — users can indicate who should receive each item, and why
Live estate summary — an estate overview that updates automatically as assets are added or edited
Why it matters: Without clear asset information, families are left guessing. When a platform connects legal documents to a real-time view of what someone owns, it becomes a true single source of truth, not just a place to store files.
Section 3: Secure Document Vault & Controlled Sharing
Creating documents is just the first step. Making sure the right people can access them when it matters is what makes a plan real.
Look for:
Secure Document Vault — encrypted storage for both platform-created documents and user-uploaded files (insurance policies, property deeds, account statements, etc.)
Permissioned sharing — the ability to invite trusted individuals (a spouse, child, attorney, or executor) to view or download specific documents
Couples / coordinated planning — a shared experience that supports partners planning together, not just side-by-side solo accounts
Account management & preferences — easy profile settings, notification controls, and plan management tools
Why it matters: If a plan can't be found when it's needed, it might as well not exist. Controlled sharing means families aren't left searching for documents during an already difficult time.
Section 4: Education & Guidance
Great estate planning software doesn't assume legal fluency. It teaches people as they go—reducing drop-off, increasing confidence, and ensuring decisions are actually informed.
Look for:
Learning Center — a curated library of expert-written guides, videos, and articles covering estate planning topics
In-app help — tooltips, plain-language explanations, and short videos embedded directly within the document creation experience
Help & Support — easy access to answers and human support when users have questions
Why it matters: Most estate plans go unfinished because people get confused or unsure. Platforms that answer questions right when they come up help more people finish their plans and trust the process.
Section 5: Legal compliance
The hardest part often comes after documents are created: making sure they're signed and legally valid. Strong platforms guide people through this final step.
Look for:
Legally valid document creation
Why it matters: A will that isn't legally valid won’t hold up. Helping people understand and complete the process is what turns a plan into real protection.
Part 2: The Professional / Advisor Portal Checklist
For financial advisors and life insurance agents, a professional portal turns estate planning from a one-time task into an ongoing, scalable service.
Section 6: Client Invitation & Onboarding
Professionals shouldn't have to manage outreach by hand. The right portal makes inviting clients a simple, built-in part of your workflow.
Look for:
Personalized invitation system — the ability to send individual clients or groups a direct link to get started
Invitation as a primary portal workflow — sending invites is built into the portal's core navigation, not buried in settings
Why it matters: For employers and insurers, getting people started is everything. An easy invitation system that meets clients where they are leads to higher enrollment and real engagement.
Section 7: Advisor Presence in the Client Experience
When estate planning is part of a professional relationship, the platform should make that connection visible. This builds trust and encourages clients to engage.
Look for:
Professional profile — a digital presence (business card/signature) that appears in client-facing communications and within the product experience, so clients know their advisor is connected to this service
Why it matters: Technology that feels anonymous can seem cold. When clients see their advisor's name and presence in the experience, they engage more and trust more.
Section 8: Engagement Visibility & Reporting
Professionals need to know if clients are actually using the platform and have the data to follow up in a meaningful way.
Look for:
Analytics & engagement dashboards — activation rates, usage data, document creation milestones, and overall program impact
Self-serve reporting — reporting as a first-class portal module, accessible on demand without requiring a call to customer support
Why it matters: Reporting isn't just a nice-to-have — it's how advisors know which clients need a follow-up, and how results and impact are measured internally.
Section 9: Enablement Resources
Conversations about estate planning, especially after a loss, require care and preparation. A good portal gives professionals the resources they need to have these conversations with confidence.
Look for:
Resources/knowledge base access inside the portal — guides and materials professionals can reference or share with clients
Learning Center access — estate planning and bereavement education, so professionals are equipped for the full lifecycle of their client relationships
Why it matters: Advisors who feel confident and prepared are more likely to bring up estate planning with clients, leading to stronger engagement and deeper relationships.
Section 10: Enterprise Readiness
For regulated industries and organizations with many roles, security is essential.
Look for:
Soc2Type2 Compliance
Why it matters: Enterprise clients and regulated partners need to know that sensitive data is only accessible to the right people, and that their internal structure is reflected in the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents should estate planning software be able to create?
At minimum: a Last Will & Testament, Revocable Living Trust, Power of Attorney (Financial), and Advance Healthcare Directive.
What should firms and advisors look for in a professional estate planning portal?
Prioritize: a built-in invitation system, client engagement reporting, a visible professional presence within the client experience, and enablement resources that help advisors have sensitive planning conversations confidently.
Why does in-flow guidance matter for estate planning software?
Because most people who start an estate plan don't finish one. Platforms that answer questions within the experience — with tooltips, explanations, and short videos — keep users moving forward rather than abandoning the process when something feels unclear.
The Bottom Line
A great estate planning platform does more than generate documents. It guides people through a process most have never faced, keeps plans organized and accessible, and gives professionals the tools to support clients at scale.
Use this checklist to evaluate any platform you're considering, and make sure the one you choose actually helps people finish their plans.
Empathy offers estate planning tools as part of a broader support platform for families and their advisors facing life's hardest moments, including Empathy LifeVault™ and Empathy Connect™.
About the Author
Andres Mazabel is Head of Estate Planning Solutions at Empathy. Across more than a decade in financial services and advisor support, Andres has focused on simplifying complex planning topics and empowering advisors with practical tools and data-driven insights.