They say that sooner or later there will be an “app” for everything. They may be right. For now though, you should make use of the ones that exist including apps that can make your estate planning duties easier and will ultimately make the probate of your estate easier. By taking a little bit of time now, you can make your executor’s job easier in the future and know that your assets will be on their way to your intended beneficiaries that much faster.

If you are one of the many who don’t know what an “app” is, it is short for “application” software. It is simply a mini-program that you can download onto a smart phone, iPad or anything else that uses “apps.” Apple, for example, has an app called “Compartments” that allows you to walk through your home and list everything you own. You can include warranty information, purchase price, and even generate reports that provide a current value for your possessions. Everything you own must be inventoried and valued when you die by the executor of your estate. By using an app like this, you will likely speed up the probate of your estate.

There are, of course, many more options out there. You only have to take a few minutes to search and see what else is available to help you keep track of finances, assets and even the people involved in your estate plan. Ask your estate planning attorney what other technological advances are available to help with your estate planning.