Keep estate documents ready for the people who need them.

An estate planning document checklist

• The current will, with the location of its signed original.
• Trust documents and relevant amendments, when applicable.
• Financial and healthcare powers of attorney or other authority documents.
• Advance directives and relevant provider authorization forms.
• Insurance information, an asset and institution list, and advisor contacts.
• A dated index identifying copies, original locations and authorized contacts.

Where to store a will and other originals

Keep a reference copy in your secure document vault and record where the signed original is held. Ask the professional responsible for your documents about appropriate original storage and retrieval. An uploaded scan does not automatically replace an original or establish legal validity.

How to organize wills and trusts

Use clear names and dates. Identify current documents and distinguish drafts or superseded versions. Keep a short contact list for the attorney, trustee and named representatives. Have the appropriate professional resolve validity and authority questions.

Let trusted people find the copies you choose

An adult child knows a parent prepared a will, but does not know which attorney holds it. A shared document index can point to the original and the right contact without granting access to every family document.

Use Trusted Connections for selected copies and review permissions after life changes. Document access does not appoint an executor, trustee or decision-maker.

Privacy and access stay under your control

Documents are private by default. Choose which documents to share and whether a Trusted Connection can view, upload or download. Trusted Connections cannot delete your documents. Review security details and how sharing works.

Questions before you start

Further reading: FTC important document organization guidance.

Updated October 12, 2026. Important document management by Mitigate America, LLC.