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Question

Who should get a copy of my estate plan?

Answer

This is a personal choice and may vary from client to client. Generally, clients feel comfortable providing copies of their documents as follows:

Wills:
clients notify their executors/personal representatives where to find the wills, if and when needed.

Trusts:
clients provide copies of their revocable trusts to any currently acting trustees, but successor trustees are told where to find it, if and when needed.

Healthcare documents:
Since the doctor will look to you to make your own decisions where you can, clients are often comfortable immediately providing copies to their:

  1. primary physician’s office; and
  2. individuals named in the documents.

Financial Power of Attorney:
Clients’ preferences vary widely on this document depending on their overall intentions and how the document is drafted. There are two general ways to grant an agent authority to act:

  • Springing powers: some Financial Powers of Attorney are drafted to provide authority for the agent to act only upon the occurrence of some event, commonly a finding of incapacity. Copies of these documents are more commonly provided to the agent(s) named on the document.
  • Immediate powers: many Financial Powers of Attorney are drafted to provide an immediate ability for the agent to act on behalf of the client, even if the client is fully competent.
    • Most married couples choose the immediate option to allow a spouse to act on his or her behalf without requiring a determination of incapacity.
    • For non-spouse agents, clients commonly inform the agent that he or she was named but do not provide a copy of the document to them. Instead, the client will tell the agent where to find the document if it is needed.

Related FAQs

What is a SLAT (spousal lifetime access trust)?

What is a GRAT (grantor retained annuity trust)?

What is a dynasty trust?
Estate Planning Trusts Protecting Your Legacy FAQs
Last Updated June 22, 2026
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