You Signed Your Estate Plan—Now What?

So, you've taken the big step! You’ve met with an estate planning attorney, signed your will, trust, and other important legal documents, and now they’re sitting neatly organized in a beautiful binder. What happens next?

Signing the documents is only step one. The next step is ensuring they’re accessible, actionable, and kept up to date so they work when your family needs them. Here’s what you should do now that your estate plan is officially complete:

1. Store Your Estate Planning Binder Somewhere Accessible

We know it’s tempting to put your binder in a safe deposit box, but that can actually create problems. Your loved ones may not be able to access it quickly in an emergency or immediately after your passing.

Instead, keep your binder with your original signed documents (will, trust, power of attorney, health care proxy, etc.) in a secure but accessible place at home. Let your family know exactly where to find it in case anything happens, and the name of the attorney you worked with. There isn’t much point in doing an estate plan if nobody can locate it when you’re gone. 

2. Share Key Documents with the People You’ve Appointed

If you’ve nominated someone as your health care proxy or financial power of attorney, consider giving them a copy now, before a crisis hits. You don’t have to share every detail of your plan, but in an emergency, having immediate access to the documents can save time and avoid confusion. 

Also, make sure your power of attorney has been executed by your named agents, and with the proper legal formalities. This will mean signing in front of a notary and potentially witnesses as well. If your agent hasn’t signed yet, get it on the calendar so they’re ready when needed. 

3. Ask About a Client Care Program

Does your lawyer offer a client care program or ongoing maintenance package to ensure your documents work when you need them to? These programs may include regular check-ins, document updates, member-only events, and maybe even discounts on future services.

Bonus: Review Your Plan Every 3 Years

Even if nothing major changes in your life, state and federal laws do change. That’s why we recommend having your estate plan reviewed at least every three years to ensure it’s still valid, compliant with current law, and aligned with your wishes. This is especially important if you’ve moved to a new state, had a child or grandchild, experienced a marriage or divorce, or acquired significant new assets.

Ready For Your Own Binder?

At the Smith Law Firm, every estate planning client goes home with a professionally organized binder filled with the legal documents your family will need, exactly when they need them most. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your family, book your Peace of Mind Planning Session today!