A Practical Guide to Pour-Over Wills for Louisville Residents
A pour-over will is a key document that helps ensure assets not already placed into a trust are transferred to that trust at the time of incapacity or death. For Louisville residents considering estate planning, a pour-over will pairs with a trust to capture assets that might otherwise pass through probate or be distributed contrary to your wishes. This page explains how a pour-over will works, why many people include one alongside a revocable living trust, and practical steps families in Blount County can take to create a clear transition of assets and protect their legacies.
Creating a pour-over will is a thoughtful part of an overall estate plan designed to reduce confusion and ensure your assets follow the plan you intend. In many situations, assets might be overlooked or simply not retitled before someone passes away. A pour-over will acts as a safety net, directing those assets into the trust you have established. This approach helps preserve privacy, clarifies distributions for heirs, and complements other documents like durable powers of attorney and health care directives to create a comprehensive plan that reflects your goals.
Why a Pour-Over Will Matters for Your Estate Plan
A pour-over will serves an important practical function: it gathers any assets left outside of a trust and sends them into the trust after your death. This helps avoid unintended results, simplifies the administration of an estate, and gives the trustee a clearer path to carry out your instructions. For families in Louisville, using a pour-over will with a trust can protect minor children, support long-term care planning, and preserve family assets. The document also helps reduce disputes among beneficiaries by reinforcing the intent you set out in your trust and other estate planning documents.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Pour-Over Wills
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients in Hendersonville, Louisville and across Tennessee, focusing on practical estate planning and probate solutions tailored to local needs. Our approach emphasizes clear communication, thoughtful drafting, and regular updates to reflect changes in family circumstances or law. We assist clients with drafting pour-over wills that align with their trusts and broader plans, explain the administrative steps that follow, and coordinate with trustees and other advisors to provide a smooth transition. We also make sure clients understand ongoing responsibilities such as titling and beneficiary designations to minimize assets left outside the trust.
Understanding Pour-Over Wills: How They Work and When to Use One
A pour-over will is a testamentary document that directs assets not already placed in a trust to be transferred into that trust upon your death. It does not replace a trust, but rather complements it by serving as a backup for assets that were not retitled or transferred during your lifetime. The pour-over will typically names the trust as beneficiary of any remaining personal property, outlines who will act as personal representative, and confirms the testator’s intent to consolidate estate assets under the trust. This mechanism reduces the chance that assets will be distributed outside the trust’s terms.
While a pour-over will ensures that leftover assets move into your trust, it does not eliminate the need for careful asset management while you are alive. Documents such as deeds, account beneficiary designations, and trustee designations play an essential role in effective planning. A pour-over will often triggers the probate process for the assets it controls, because those assets technically pass through probate before reaching the trust. Understanding this distinction helps families plan for potential timeframes and administrative steps so beneficiaries receive what you intended with minimal confusion.
Defining the Pour-Over Will and Its Function
A pour-over will functions as a safety net within a broader estate plan, capturing assets that were not otherwise transferred into a trust before death. It declares that any estate property remaining at death will be transferred into the named trust and administered according to the trust’s terms. This prevents unintended distributions and helps ensure continuity between your estate documents. The pour-over will should be drafted to align with the trust provisions, name an appropriate personal representative, and include language that reflects current family and financial circumstances to reduce ambiguity during administration.
Key Elements and Administrative Steps Involved
Drafting a pour-over will involves several important elements: naming the testator and the trust, identifying a personal representative or executor, and specifying how residual assets should be handled. After death, the personal representative files the will with the probate court, inventories the estate, notifies interested parties, and arranges transfer of assets into the trust. Documentation and clear titling are important to streamline these steps. Timely communication with trustees, beneficiaries, and financial institutions reduces delays and helps ensure assets are distributed according to the trust’s direction.
Key Terms and Glossary for Pour-Over Wills
Understanding legal terms makes it easier to navigate estate planning decisions. This short glossary clarifies common words used with pour-over wills and trusts so you and your family can have informed conversations during planning and administration. Knowing these terms helps you identify documents you may need to update, recognize what happens during probate, and understand the responsibilities of a personal representative and trustee. Clear language reduces uncertainty and helps ensure your plan functions as intended when it becomes necessary to carry out its provisions.
Pour-Over Will
A pour-over will is a testamentary document that directs any remaining property at death to be transferred into a previously established trust. It acts as a catch-all mechanism so assets not retitled during life still move into the trust and follow the trust’s provisions. The will commonly appoints a personal representative to administer estate affairs, and it clarifies the testator’s intent for the trust to receive residual estate assets. It is particularly useful when someone prefers the privacy and management features of a trust but may not have moved every asset into the trust prior to death.
Trustee
A trustee is the person or entity responsible for managing trust assets and carrying out the terms of the trust according to the trust document. When a pour-over will directs assets into a trust, the trustee administers those assets on behalf of beneficiaries. The trustee has fiduciary duties to act in beneficiaries’ best interests, maintain records, and follow the timing and distribution rules established by the trust. Choosing a trustworthy and capable trustee ensures a smoother administration and consistent implementation of the trust’s provisions.
Personal Representative
A personal representative, sometimes called an executor, is the individual appointed in a will to handle probate administration, pay debts, and transfer estate assets. In the context of a pour-over will, the personal representative files the will with the probate court, inventories estate assets, and oversees the transfer of residual property into the trust. Their role is administrative and includes communicating with beneficiaries, settling obligations, and working with trustees to ensure assets reach the trust according to the decedent’s intentions and applicable law.
Probate
Probate is the legal process through which a court authenticates a will, supervises administration of the decedent’s estate, and approves distribution of assets to beneficiaries. Even when a pour-over will is in place to move assets into a trust, probate may still be necessary for those assets that were not retitled. The probate process varies by jurisdiction and may require the personal representative to provide an inventory, pay valid debts, and obtain court approval for certain actions. Understanding probate timelines helps families set expectations for how long transfers might take.
Comparing Planning Options: Pour-Over Wills and Alternatives
When evaluating estate planning options, a pour-over will combined with a trust is only one approach. Alternatives include relying solely on a will, using beneficiary designations on accounts, or creating living trusts with careful retitling to avoid probate. Each path has trade-offs related to privacy, administration time, court involvement, and costs. In practice, many people choose a trust plus pour-over will as a balanced solution: the trust governs distributions and management, while the will collects any assets accidentally left out. Understanding these differences helps families choose the approach that fits their priorities, finances, and family dynamics.
When a Simpler Plan May Be Adequate:
Small Estates with Clear Beneficiaries
For individuals with modest assets and straightforward beneficiary designations, a basic will and properly named account beneficiaries may be sufficient. If all assets have clear, up-to-date beneficiary designations, and there are no complex distributions or concerns about minor children, some families find a streamlined plan meets their needs. This approach reduces document complexity and administrative overhead. Still, it is important to confirm that deeds, retirement accounts, and insurance policies reflect current intentions to avoid unintended outcomes after death or incapacity.
Minimal Real Property or Business Interests
When a person does not own significant real property or business interests and has a small number of straightforward assets, probate can be brief and uncomplicated. In such cases, families may choose not to use a trust because the costs and administration required to maintain a trust might outweigh potential benefits. Careful beneficiary designations and a well-drafted will can provide clear directions for distribution. However, it remains important to review estate documents periodically to reflect life changes and to ensure the simplified approach still accomplishes one’s intentions.
When a Trust and Pour-Over Will Provide Better Protection:
Multiple Asset Types and Privacy Concerns
For individuals with diverse assets such as real estate, investment accounts, business interests, or property in multiple states, a trust combined with a pour-over will offers consolidated management and greater privacy. Trust administration typically occurs outside the public probate record, which helps keep family and financial affairs confidential. Consolidating assets in a trust provides clearer management instructions for successors and can ease transitions in the event of incapacity or death. Families with these circumstances often benefit from the continuity and clarity a trust-centered plan provides.
Complex Family Situations or Long-Term Care Planning
When family dynamics involve blended families, children from prior relationships, or specific concerns about long-term care and asset protection, a trust with a pour-over will can provide tailored distribution rules and ongoing management structures. Trusts allow for staged distributions, protections against creditors or mismanagement, and provisions to address potential changes in health or financial needs. These planning tools give account to future contingencies, reduce uncertainty for heirs, and enable appointed trustees to carry out nuanced instructions that a simple will may not accommodate effectively.
Benefits of Using a Trust with a Pour-Over Will
Combining a revocable trust with a pour-over will offers several practical advantages, including coordinated asset management, reduced public exposure of estate affairs, and structured distributions according to long-term intentions. The trust centralizes control over diverse assets and provides a framework for successor management, while the pour-over will captures any assets left outside the trust. This combination can simplify administration for loved ones, enable more predictable outcomes, and allow for continuity in managing assets in case of incapacity or after death.
Another key advantage is that a trust can include tailored provisions for minor children, special needs family members, or beneficiaries who may require oversight in how distributions are handled. Trusts also permit more flexibility for phased distributions or conditions that reflect personal priorities. While a pour-over will may still require limited probate for certain assets, pairing it with a trust reduces the likelihood of overlooked items and supports smoother transitions for trustees and beneficiaries who must carry out the decedent’s wishes.
Improved Continuity for Asset Management
When assets are consolidated within a trust, management and distributions continue according to predetermined instructions, which is especially helpful if the primary owner becomes incapacitated. Trustees can step in to manage property, pay bills, and ensure financial obligations are met without full court supervision. This continuity reduces disruption for family members and can help maintain ongoing financial arrangements such as mortgage payments, business operations, or retirement income streams. The result is a smoother transition in times that families often find stressful.
Greater Privacy and Reduced Public Record
Trust administration commonly avoids the public disclosure associated with probate, so the details of asset distributions and beneficiary information often remain private. This privacy can be important for families who prefer to keep financial matters confidential or who want to shield heirs from potential disputes. While the pour-over will itself may be filed in probate when it covers certain assets, the overall trust framework still limits the amount of information that becomes part of the public record, giving families greater discretion about how personal and financial matters are handled after death.
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Practical Tips for Managing a Pour-Over Will and Trust
Keep asset titles and beneficiary designations current
Regularly reviewing and updating accounts, deeds, and beneficiary designations helps ensure assets pass according to your plan without needing probate. Changes in family circumstances, new property acquisitions, and updated retirement accounts can all create gaps. By confirming that key assets are retitled in the name of your trust or have accurate beneficiary forms, you reduce the number of items that may otherwise fall into probate and need to be transferred by a pour-over will. Periodic reviews also help you identify documents that require amendment to reflect new intentions.
Coordinate your will with your trust document
Discuss practical administration steps with appointed fiduciaries
Talk with the persons you appoint as personal representative and trustee so they understand their responsibilities and the practical steps required after death. Clear communication about the location of documents, account access, and your general wishes reduces uncertainty and enables smoother action when it matters most. Providing a list of key contacts and instructions for locating important records such as the trust, deed, and account statements helps fiduciaries fulfill their duties more efficiently and decreases the administrative burden during an already difficult time for family members.
Reasons Louisville Residents Choose a Pour-Over Will with a Trust
Many people choose a pour-over will paired with a trust to prevent assets from being distributed in ways that do not reflect their intentions, to provide continuity of management in case of incapacity, and to structure distributions for beneficiaries. This approach is particularly helpful when a person has a mix of assets that could otherwise be overlooked, or when they want to protect privacy and limit courtroom involvement. By using these documents together, individuals can create a plan that is flexible, manageable, and oriented toward their family’s long-term needs.
Additional reasons to use a pour-over will include the ability to centralize decision-making through a trustee, create staged distributions for younger beneficiaries, and provide guidance for handling family property or business interests. The pour-over will acts as a safety net so assets not transferred into the trust while you are alive ultimately follow the trust’s distribution plan. That redundancy provides reassurance that unforeseen omissions will be corrected and that your overall estate plan remains intact even if some matters are not completed before death.
Common Situations Where a Pour-Over Will Is Helpful
A pour-over will is useful in many common situations: when you have recently created a trust but did not retitle all assets, when you acquire new property or accounts after trust formation, or when you want to ensure any overlooked items still pass under your trust’s terms. It is also helpful for people who travel frequently, relocate between states, or own property in multiple jurisdictions. In these circumstances, the pour-over will provides a practical fallback that ensures your overall plan remains effective even if life changes create temporary gaps in asset titling.
Recently Created Trust with Assets Still in Personal Name
If you recently established a trust but have not yet transferred every asset into it, a pour-over will ensures any assets remaining in your personal name at the time of death are directed into the trust. This is common when life events prevent immediate retitling or when accounts are overlooked during the initial setup. The will does not replace the need to move assets into the trust over time, but it gives peace of mind that any omissions will still follow your trust’s distribution plan and reduce the chance of unintended outcomes.
Acquisitions After Initial Estate Planning
When new assets are acquired after an estate plan is put in place, such as a vehicle, investment account, or personal property, they may inadvertently remain outside the trust. A pour-over will captures those items so they become part of the trust administration at death. Periodic reviews of your estate plan can identify these new items and allow you to retitle or designate beneficiaries where appropriate, but the pour-over will provides an important fallback to maintain the integrity of your intended distribution plan.
Property or Accounts in Multiple States
Owning property or accounts in more than one state can complicate the administration of an estate and create challenges in timing or legal procedures. A pour-over will paired with a trust helps centralize the distribution scheme by moving assets into the trust where possible and using the trust’s terms to govern future management. While ancillary probate may still be required in other states, this approach helps reduce fragmentation of your estate plan and provides a uniform direction for beneficiaries and fiduciaries handling assets from different jurisdictions.
Louisville Pour-Over Will and Trust Services
Jay Johnson Law Firm provides practical guidance to Louisville and Blount County residents on pour-over wills and trust planning. We help clients understand how a pour-over will interacts with trusts, prepare clear documents, and assist with the administrative steps that follow. Our goal is to reduce uncertainty for families and make transitions as straightforward as possible. Whether you are setting up a trust, updating beneficiary information, or confirming that your pour-over will aligns with your trust, we offer responsive support and tailored recommendations to fit your family’s needs.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Your Pour-Over Will
Jay Johnson Law Firm guides clients through practical estate planning steps focused on clarity, accuracy, and ongoing maintenance. For residents of Louisville and surrounding areas, we offer help preparing pour-over wills that integrate with trusts and the administrative process that follows. Our approach emphasizes explaining options clearly, preparing documents that align with client goals, and coordinating with trustees and financial institutions to help avoid common pitfalls that can leave assets outside of a trust.
We prioritize clear communication to demystify the probate and trust transfer process so families can make informed decisions and set realistic expectations. Planning conversations focus on identifying assets that should be retitled, updating beneficiary forms where appropriate, and ensuring the pour-over will references the correct trust and personal representative. These practical steps reduce surprises during administration and help families move forward with confidence when life changes occur.
As part of our service, we review existing estate documents to confirm consistency and highlight items that may require attention, such as deeds or retirement account designations. We also help clients create clear instructions for fiduciaries to follow, reducing administrative burdens and clarifying responsibilities. Our aim is to make the legal process approachable and ensure your pour-over will and trust work together to achieve your long-term goals and protect your loved ones.
Get Started with a Pour-Over Will Review Today
How We Handle Pour-Over Wills and Trust Coordination
Our process begins with a focused intake to learn about your family, assets, and priorities, followed by a document review to identify items that may require retitling or updated beneficiary forms. We draft a pour-over will tailored to the trust you have or plan to create, and we discuss the role of the personal representative and trustee so responsibilities are understood. After documents are signed, we provide guidance on ongoing maintenance and recommended reviews to keep the plan aligned with future life changes and legal updates.
Step One: Initial Planning and Document Review
During the initial planning meeting we collect information about assets, family relationships, and long-term goals. This review helps identify which accounts, properties, and beneficiary designations may need attention and whether a pour-over will should be paired with a trust. We also explain the distinctions between assets that require probate and those that transfer by beneficiary designation or account ownership. The result of this step is a practical roadmap outlining the documents to be prepared or updated.
Gathering Asset and Beneficiary Information
Collecting complete and accurate information about bank accounts, retirement plans, deeds, and insurance policies is essential for effective planning. We help clients assemble statements and records so the plan can be tailored to actual holdings. This step also includes identifying potential assets that might require retitling into a trust and confirming whether beneficiary designations are current and reflect the client’s wishes. Careful information gathering reduces the chance of overlooked items and sets the foundation for drafting cohesive documents.
Reviewing Existing Estate Documents
We examine any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations to ensure they align with current intentions and do not contain conflicting instructions. If a trust already exists, the pour-over will is drafted to complement it and include precise references to avoid ambiguity. Where changes are needed, we recommend updates and explain how amendments or restatements interact with a pour-over will. This review helps create a coordinated set of documents that function together when administration is required.
Step Two: Drafting and Execution of Documents
Once we have a clear plan, we prepare the pour-over will and any accompanying trust documents, powers of attorney, and health care directives that support the overall estate plan. Documents are drafted using language that aligns with the trust and reflects client objectives, including trustee and representative appointments. We then review drafts with clients, explain signing formalities, and arrange execution in compliance with Tennessee legal requirements to ensure the documents are valid and effective when needed.
Preparing the Pour-Over Will and Related Documents
The pour-over will is drafted to name the trust as the beneficiary of residual estate property and to appoint a personal representative to handle probate matters. If other documents are needed, such as a revocable living trust or durable powers of attorney, we prepare those as well so the plan is cohesive. We ensure all documents use consistent names, dates, and provisions to avoid confusion during administration and to create a smooth path for carrying out your intentions.
Execution and Notarization to Meet Legal Requirements
Proper execution, including witness and notarization requirements, ensures the pour-over will is accepted if filed in probate. We guide clients through signing requirements and provide clear instructions about where to keep original documents so fiduciaries can locate them when needed. After execution, we discuss steps to update account titling and beneficiary forms if appropriate, and we encourage a periodic review schedule to keep the plan current with changes in family circumstances or assets.
Step Three: Administration After Death or Incapacity
When the time comes for administration, the personal representative files the pour-over will with the probate court and follows required steps to inventory the estate, notify creditors, and distribute any remaining assets into the trust. The trustee then administers those assets according to the trust terms. We assist fiduciaries with procedural guidance, filings, and communications with beneficiaries to help the administration proceed efficiently and in accordance with the decedent’s intent and applicable Tennessee law.
Probate Filings and Inventory Procedures
The personal representative is responsible for filing the will, completing inventories of estate assets, and providing notices required by the court and by law. This process documents what property is subject to the pour-over will and sets the stage for transferring those assets into the trust. Accurate records and timely filings help reduce delays and potential disputes. We provide guidance on preparing required filings and interacting with the court so fiduciaries understand the administrative timeline and necessary documentation.
Transferring Assets into the Trust and Trustee Duties
Once assets are available to the trust, the trustee has responsibility to follow the trust’s terms, manage assets prudently, and distribute property to beneficiaries according to the plan. Trustees must maintain records, address creditor claims if applicable, and administer the trust in good faith. We support trustees with explanations of their duties and assistance with any legal filings or transactions required to complete the transfer and carry out distributions as intended by the trust document.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pour-Over Wills
What is a pour-over will and why do I need one?
A pour-over will is a testamentary document that directs any assets remaining in your estate at death to be transferred into a specified trust. It serves as a safety net for property that was not retitled or otherwise designated to pass outside the probate process. The pour-over will typically names a personal representative to handle probate administration and ensures that residual assets follow the trust’s terms as intended. This helps avoid unintended loose ends in your estate plan. To determine whether you need a pour-over will, consider whether you have a trust and whether all significant assets have been transferred into it. If you or your advisors anticipate that some items might be overlooked, the pour-over will provides continuity by consolidating assets under the trust administration when probate occurs. It is a practical fallback that complements careful asset management during life.
Will a pour-over will avoid probate entirely?
A pour-over will does not usually avoid probate for the assets it controls because those assets must be transferred through the probate process before they can enter the trust. The pour-over will directs that residual estate property be moved into the trust, but until that transfer happens the property may be subject to probate court oversight. This is why proactive titling of assets into a trust during life is often recommended to minimize probate needs. Even though probate may still be necessary for pour-over assets, having a trust in place can reduce the overall extent of probate and centralize distributions. The trust’s administration often occurs outside of probate for the assets already in the trust, which can limit public disclosure and simplify some aspects of estate management for beneficiaries.
How does a pour-over will work with a trust?
A pour-over will functions as a bridge between assets left in your personal name and the trust you have established. When the will is submitted to probate, the personal representative works to transfer residual assets identified by the will into the named trust. Once the assets are in the trust, the trustee administers them according to the trust’s provisions. This combination ensures that any assets accidentally left out of the trust during life ultimately follow the trust’s distribution plan. It is important that the will and trust are drafted consistently, with accurate references to trust names and trustee appointments. Coordination between the documents reduces ambiguity and helps both fiduciaries understand their roles in transferring and administering assets after death.
Who should I name as personal representative or trustee?
Choosing a personal representative and a trustee involves considering trustworthiness, administrative ability, and willingness to serve. Many people select a close family member, a trusted friend, or a professional fiduciary depending on the complexity of the estate and family dynamics. The personal representative handles probate tasks and initial transfers, while the trustee oversees trust administration after assets are moved into the trust. Selecting individuals who can communicate well with beneficiaries and manage administrative duties eases the process for everyone involved. It is also wise to name successor fiduciaries in case your first choices cannot serve. Discussing these roles with your intended appointees ahead of time helps ensure they understand responsibilities and can accept the appointments when needed.
Can a pour-over will be changed after it is signed?
Yes, in most cases a pour-over will can be amended or revoked while you are alive if your circumstances or intentions change. Updating estate documents ensures they reflect current wishes and asset ownership. Changes should be made using proper legal procedures to avoid ambiguity or disputes, and it is important to coordinate any amendments to the will with changes to the trust so that documents remain consistent and effective. Periodic reviews are recommended after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of children, property acquisitions, or changes in financial accounts. Taking prompt steps to update documents reduces the risk of unintended outcomes and maintains an integrated plan that functions as intended.
How often should I review my pour-over will and trust?
It is advisable to review your pour-over will and trust documents regularly or after significant life changes. Annual or biennial check-ins can help identify new assets, changing family circumstances, or updates required by law that affect your plan. These reviews also give you an opportunity to confirm that beneficiary designations and account titling remain aligned with the trust and will. When major events occur, such as a marriage, divorce, birth, death, relocation, or substantial changes in finances, you should initiate a review promptly. Proactive maintenance keeps your estate plan current and reduces the likelihood of assets being unintentionally excluded from the trust.
What happens if I acquire new assets after creating a trust?
If you acquire new assets after creating a trust, those items may remain in your personal name unless you retitle them into the trust or assign appropriate beneficiary designations. A pour-over will will capture such assets at death and direct them into the trust; however, proactive retitling during life can avoid probate processes and make administration smoother. Regularly checking new acquisitions and updating your plan helps keep assets aligned with your intended distribution strategy. For certain assets, practical steps like changing account ownership or naming the trust as beneficiary are available. We recommend reviewing any new property or accounts as part of routine estate maintenance to ensure they are treated consistently with your trust and overall plan.
Will my family need to go to court to transfer assets into the trust?
Whether family members must appear in court depends on the assets involved and the jurisdiction. Assets covered by a pour-over will may trigger probate filings, which typically require submitting the will to the local probate court and completing administrative steps. Some probate procedures can be handled by the personal representative without a court appearance by beneficiaries, but court oversight and filings will generally be part of the process for assets covered by the will. The amount of court involvement often depends on estate size and complexity. When most assets are already in a trust, probate needs are reduced. Nonetheless, fiduciaries should be prepared for filings and possible notices as required by Tennessee law to ensure a proper transfer of pour-over assets into the trust.
Does a pour-over will protect privacy?
A trust-based plan generally offers greater privacy because trust administration typically occurs outside public probate records. When most assets are titled in the trust, fewer details about distributions and beneficiaries become part of the public court file. However, a pour-over will may be submitted to probate for residual assets, which could result in some public record entries for those items. The combination of trust plus pour-over will still limits full public disclosure compared to relying only on a will for all assets. For families concerned about privacy, careful titling and proactive transfer of assets into the trust while alive reduces the need to file many items in probate. Discussing privacy priorities with advisors helps determine the most effective approach to minimize public exposure.
How do I start creating a pour-over will in Louisville?
To begin creating a pour-over will in Louisville, start by gathering information on your assets, deeds, account statements, and any beneficiary designations. Identify the trust you wish to use or consider whether a new trust should be established to serve as the beneficiary of the pour-over will. Schedule an initial planning meeting to review your goals, family circumstances, and the practical steps required to align assets with the trust and will. During the drafting process you will select a personal representative and trustee, review execution and witnessing requirements, and discuss steps to maintain the plan over time. After documents are executed, plan for periodic reviews to keep the documents current as your life or financial situation changes.