Wills and estate planning for beginners

Quick answer

Start with Khan Academy's estate planning introduction and Fidelity's four key documents, then learn the difference between a will, a trust and a power of attorney from Martin Lewis and The Money Guy Show. Talks on family conversations and common mistakes follow. Play all on repeat, and A–B loop any term you need to hear twice.

Play all on repeat

Videos in this playlist

  1. 1Estate planning introduction | Insurance | Financial mathematics (TX TEKS) | Khan AcademyEstate planning introduction | Insurance | Financial mathematics (TX TEKS) | Khan AcademyKhan AcademyPlay from here Loop
  2. 2Why You Probably Won't Inherit Anything!Why You Probably Won't Inherit Anything!Two CentsPlay from here Loop
  3. 3The True Value of Estate of PlanningThe True Value of Estate of PlanningInvestopediaPlay from here Loop
  4. 4Estate Planning: The Four Documents You Need | Money Unscripted | Fidelity InvestmentsEstate Planning: The Four Documents You Need | Money Unscripted | Fidelity InvestmentsFidelity InvestmentsPlay from here Loop
  5. 5Power of attorney, living will and medical directive | Insurance | Financial Literacy | Khan AcademyPower of attorney, living will and medical directive | Insurance | Financial Literacy | Khan AcademyKhan AcademyPlay from here Loop
  6. 6Martin Lewis: The difference between a Will and a Power of AttorneyMartin Lewis: The difference between a Will and a Power of AttorneyMartin LewisPlay from here Loop
  7. 7Martin Lewis: A Power of Attorney is more important than a Will. Should you get one?Martin Lewis: A Power of Attorney is more important than a Will. Should you get one?Martin LewisPlay from here Loop
  8. 8When Should You Create a Will, Trust, and/or Estate Plan?When Should You Create a Will, Trust, and/or Estate Plan?The Money Guy ShowPlay from here Loop
  9. 9What Is The Best Way To Set Up a Will? #AskTheMoneyGuyWhat Is The Best Way To Set Up a Will? #AskTheMoneyGuyThe Money Guy ShowPlay from here Loop
  10. 10Will vs. Trust: Which One Should You Create?Will vs. Trust: Which One Should You Create?The Money Guy ShowPlay from here Loop
  11. 11Wills And Trusts: What's The Difference? | Money Unscripted | Fidelity InvestmentsWills And Trusts: What's The Difference? | Money Unscripted | Fidelity InvestmentsFidelity InvestmentsPlay from here Loop
  12. 12What is probate? | Meredith Havard, Esq. | TEDxNewbury Street WomenWhat is probate? | Meredith Havard, Esq. | TEDxNewbury Street WomenTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  13. 13How Investment Accounts Are InheritedHow Investment Accounts Are InheritedThe Money Guy ShowPlay from here Loop
  14. 14How To Build The Ultimate Financial Folder | The 3-Minute GuideHow To Build The Ultimate Financial Folder | The 3-Minute GuideThe Financial DietPlay from here Loop
  15. 15Basics of estate taxBasics of estate taxKhan AcademyPlay from here Loop
  16. 16Estate Taxes Explained | 5 Questions with Fidelity | Fidelity InvestmentsEstate Taxes Explained | 5 Questions with Fidelity | Fidelity InvestmentsFidelity InvestmentsPlay from here Loop
  17. 17Martin Lewis: What is Inheritance Tax and how does it work?Martin Lewis: What is Inheritance Tax and how does it work?Martin LewisPlay from here Loop
  18. 18How To Simplify Your Estate PlanningHow To Simplify Your Estate PlanningThe Money Guy ShowPlay from here Loop
  19. 19Family Conversations On Estate Planning | 5 Questions with Fidelity | Fidelity InvestmentsFamily Conversations On Estate Planning | 5 Questions with Fidelity | Fidelity InvestmentsFidelity InvestmentsPlay from here Loop
  20. 20How to Talk to Your Family About WillsHow to Talk to Your Family About WillsThe Money Guy ShowPlay from here Loop
  21. 21How To Talk to Your Parents and Grandparents About Their Estate PlansHow To Talk to Your Parents and Grandparents About Their Estate PlansThe Money Guy ShowPlay from here Loop
  22. 22How to talk about inheritance (without talking about money) | Emily Bouchard | TEDxSan Diego StudioHow to talk about inheritance (without talking about money) | Emily Bouchard | TEDxSan Diego StudioTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  23. 23Avoid These 3 Big Estate Planning Mistakes!Avoid These 3 Big Estate Planning Mistakes!The Money Guy ShowPlay from here Loop
  24. 24Prevent your family’s chaos after you die | Daniel Glazier | TEDxLake MaryPrevent your family’s chaos after you die | Daniel Glazier | TEDxLake MaryTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  25. 25Congrats on adulthood—now it's time to start planning to die | Todd Mazenko | TEDxEustisCongrats on adulthood—now it's time to start planning to die | Todd Mazenko | TEDxEustisTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  26. 26Why ethical wills are the greatest gifts of love and how to create one | Scott Zucker | TEDxAtlantaWhy ethical wills are the greatest gifts of love and how to create one | Scott Zucker | TEDxAtlantaTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  27. 27Should the Executor of a Will Charge a Fee?Should the Executor of a Will Charge a Fee?The Money Guy ShowPlay from here Loop
  28. 28Moneyologist: My Sister Took My Father's EstateMoneyologist: My Sister Took My Father's EstateThe Wall Street JournalPlay from here Loop
  29. 29Kosovo: Disinherited women | Focus on EuropeKosovo: Disinherited women | Focus on EuropeDW NewsPlay from here Loop
  30. 30How Can You Stop Procrastinating and Create an Estate Plan?How Can You Stop Procrastinating and Create an Estate Plan?Charles SchwabPlay from here Loop

What is estate planning?

Estate planning means deciding who receives your money and belongings when you die, who looks after your children, and who can make decisions for you if you become unable to. The usual tools are a will, beneficiary forms, a power of attorney and sometimes a trust.

How can RepeatWatch help me prepare?

Play all on repeat to work through the basics, then A–B loop a definition such as probate or power of attorney. Slow a video to 0.75× while you list your accounts and wishes, and save the steps on keys 1–9 to review before you see a professional.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a will if I don't have much money?

Often, yes. A will can name a guardian for children and decide who receives belongings, savings or land. Without one, the law or sometimes custom decides, which can leave partners and children unprotected. Rules on wills and inheritance differ by country.

Can I write a will myself?

In some places a simple will that is written and witnessed correctly is valid, but the rules are strict and mistakes are common. Many people find it worth paying a qualified lawyer, especially when there is property, a blended family or a business.

Is this legal or financial advice?

No. These videos are educational and come from the channels that published them. They are not financial, tax or legal advice. Estate and inheritance laws differ by country and region, so consider a qualified, regulated lawyer or adviser for your own plan.