You've done the hard part. You've made the decisions that nobody really wants to make: who gets what, who's in charge, what happens if something goes wrong. Now that those decisions are made, it's time to make it official. Before you show up to sign your estate plan, there are a few things you should do to make sure everything runs smoothly and that nothing gets overlooked. It's the final step in the process, but the estate plan execution can oftentimes be the most important part because a bad execution can lead to a host of problems for your family after you're gone.
Let's look at some steps that we want to take before we sign our estate plan documents.
1. Review Your Documents, Line by Line
Yes, it’s legal language. No, you don’t need to become a lawyer overnight. But you do want to make sure the documents match what you’ve discussed with your attorney. Before putting pen to paper, take time and review:
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Your Will
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Any Trust documents
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Power of attorney and healthcare directives
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Guardianship designations
- Living Will
If something seems off or unclear, make a note. Your attorney can walk you through it at the signing.
2. Confirm the Logistics of the Signing Appointment
Every state has its own signing requirements. In Minnesota and New York, certain documents must be witnessed or notarized, And this is commonly where people who attempt to do this themselves drop the ball. That means:
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You may need to bring photo ID
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You might be signing in front of a notary and 2 witnesses
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Remote signings or virtual meetings may have different rules
Your attorney should take care of the technical parts, but showing up prepared makes the process quick and seamless.
3. Think Through Any Final Edits (Before the Pen Hits the Page)
Your will is not official until you actually sign it. So, you still have time to make final edits to your documents, for example:
- Changed your mind about your executor?
- Added a new grandchild?
- Started a business or sold a property?
Make sure to flag any last-minute updates before the signing day.
This is especially important if it’s been a few weeks since your initial meeting.
4. Clarify Who Gets Copies—and How
After signing, your estate plan becomes legally binding. But it also needs to be accessible.
Talk with your attorney about:
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Who should receive copies (spouse, executor, trustee)
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Whether digital copies will be shared via a secure portal
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Where the originals will be stored
This can be incredibly important because, unfortunately, life doesn't happen from 9 to 5. Often, we need access to these documents on the weekends, late at night, or at other times when regular businesses are not open. So make sure you know who has copies and how people can access the documents if needed in an emergency.
5. Bring a List of Questions (Even the Small Ones)
Hopefully, throughout the process, you've had a chance to ask questions and have them answered. But you should remember that no question is too basic, and in fact, at the time of signing, if you still have questions, make sure you ask them of your attorney before you put pen to paper. Some questions you may have at the last minute include:
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“How do I update this later?”
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“What happens if I move to a different state?”
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“Does this plan cover my business assets?”
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“Can I revoke this trust later?”
You’ll feel more confident walking away if you take time to get answers while you’re still in the room.
Ready to Get Started?
If you need help with your estate plan, let's schedule a Legal Strategy Session online or by calling my Edina, Minnesota office at (612) 294-6982 or my New York City office at (646) 847-3560. My office will be happy to find a convenient time for us to have a phone call to review the best options and next steps for you to work with an estate planning attorney.
