Once your client has finished drafting their estate planning documents, the next steps involve signing, notarizing, and validating those documents in accordance with state-specific signing instructions. As their advisor, you can guide them through the following process.
Emphasize to your clients that the documents are not legally binding until they are signed and notarized according to the provided instructions.
However, please note that document creation, edits, and updates must be performed directly by the client under their account. An advisor cannot edit or draft documents on behalf of clients.
Here are the steps to support your clients with the process of finalizing their estate plan:
1. Review and Prepare Documents Before Printing
Before printing and signing, make sure all documents are fully drafted and ready for execution.
How to Review Drafted Documents:
These documents are not legally binding until they are properly signed and notarized, even if they are fully drafted.
Have your client go to the Document Center in their Wealth.com account.
Here, they will see all estate planning documents, including those:
In progress
Fully drafted
Once a document is ready to sign, they can:
Click the dropdown menu next to the document and select “View PDF,” or clients can also click "Edit" from the dropdown and reenter the document workflow. They can then click the Review panel to review their document data here as well.
OR clients can go to the “My Documents” section from the Document Center, click on the document name, and then select “View”.
Important: Reviewing the PDF version allows the client to confirm accuracy and completeness before proceeding.
Printing Options:
The client or the advisor may print the documents themselves, or request Wealth.com to print and ship the documents directly to them.
To print on your own, just generate the PDF to print. Printing instructions are included at the beginning of the PDF.
Print & Ship option
For Clients: The option to request Print & Ship is available both at the end of the document creation process in the document workflow and from the Document Center for the client.
For Advisors: Click the 3 dots next to the client’s status from their profile, and you will see the drop-down menu. Select ‘Request Print’
2. Sign and Notarize the Documents
Once reviewed and printed:
Direct your client to follow the state-specific signing instructions included at the end of each document. Each document includes state-specific signing instructions at the end of the PDF. Encourage your client to review these carefully before proceeding.
Remind them that documents must be signed in the presence of a notary (not beforehand), as required by state law.
Once the documents are properly signed and notarized, they become legally valid and enforceable.
Tip: Signing requirements vary by state. Wealth.com provides tailored instructions to eliminate guesswork. Adhering to these instructions ensures compliance with state laws, which is essential for the legal enforceability of the documents.
If your client needs help with notarization, you can direct them to this helpful resource: How to Get Estate Planning Documents Notarized
3. Upload Finalized Documents to the Vault (Optional but recommended)
After notarization, your client can scan and upload the completed documents to their Wealth.com Vault for secure digital storage.
This helps maintain a digital backup of the estate plan and ensures documents are easily accessible.
To upload:
Navigate to Vault > Estate Planning > [Document Type], and click Add Entry to upload files.
Here is a resource that is shareable with clients as well: Top 10 Documents to Upload to the Vault
4. Mark Documents as ‘Signed’ in Their Account
Once the documents are finalized, your client should log in to Wealth.com and update the status of each document to ‘Signed’ or ‘Validated/Complete.’
You also have the ability to mark the documents 'complete' or 'signed' for the client as well. To do so:
-Click on the client's profile. Then, under Overview, locate the Document Creation section-Click the 3 dots next to the document and select Client Signed from the dropdown
Note that the document status needs to be in ‘Ready to Sign’ to update to ‘Signed’. This cannot be undone once the status is changed.
This signals that the documents are fully executed. As their advisor, you’ll receive a notification once this step is complete, once the client does this.
The system will also track completed documents for future updates or restatements.
Here is a quick video on how to Review, Complete, and Sign your Document.
Additionally, this article provides further guidance on How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?: A Comprehensive Guide
5. Begin Funding the Trust
With the documents validated, your client can now move forward with funding their trust—the process of retitling assets into the trust’s name.
Here is a guide that covers How to Fund a Trust: Key Steps and What to Consider
We also have a robust Trust Manual for guidance.
Here is a helpful podcast that our Chief Legal Officer-Anne Rhodes co-hosts that covers what to know about funding a Trust.
Additional resources
If you or your client are seeking additional resources on estate planning, please share the link to our comprehensive Resource Center on our website, called the Legacy Hub.
This platform offers valuable information on various topics related to estate planning, benefiting both clients and advisors. No account is required to access this link.