Guide to Pour-Over Wills: What Arlington Residents Should Know
A pour-over will is an important document for people who use a living trust to hold most or all of their assets but still want a safety net that directs any items that remain outside the trust into it after death. In Arlington, Tennessee, understanding how a pour-over will interacts with probate law, trustee duties, and property transfer rules helps families avoid unnecessary delays and expense. This paragraph introduces the concept in practical terms, explaining why homeowners and families who plan to use a trust often include a pour-over will to make sure nothing is left without a clear directive.
This guide provides a clear introduction to pour-over wills and their role in a broader estate plan for residents of Arlington and Shelby County. It outlines basic drafting considerations, how the will complements a living trust, and what to expect during probate if any assets must be transferred into the trust after death. The aim is to help readers decide whether a pour-over will should be part of their estate toolbox and to prepare them for the questions to ask when meeting with a lawyer from Jay Johnson Law Firm about estate planning and probate matters.
Why a Pour-Over Will Matters for Your Estate Plan
A pour-over will provides a safety mechanism to capture assets that were not transferred into a trust during a person’s lifetime. For residents of Arlington, the benefit is peace of mind knowing that personal property, overlooked accounts, or newly acquired items will be funneled into the trust and distributed according to its terms. This avoids the risk of intestate succession for unaddressed assets and helps streamline administration for loved ones. While the will still goes through probate for those assets, it preserves the testator’s overall plan and clarifies intent when property titles or beneficiary designations are incomplete.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Pour-Over Wills
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients throughout Shelby County and Tennessee with a focus on estate planning and probate matters, including pour-over wills. The firm emphasizes clear communication, practical drafting, and tailored planning that reflects each client’s family dynamics and asset makeup. In consultations, attorneys review clients’ trust documents, beneficiary designations, and property ownership patterns to identify gaps that a pour-over will can address. The firm’s approach balances careful legal drafting with straightforward explanations so clients understand how the will integrates with their living trust and what probate may entail if assets need to be moved into the trust.
Understanding Pour-Over Wills and Their Role
A pour-over will operates alongside a living trust and serves primarily to transfer any assets remaining in an individual’s name at death into the trust. It is not intended to replace the trust, but to ensure that asset transfers occur according to the trust’s terms even when some items were not retitled. For many families in Arlington, a pour-over will acts as an insurance policy against accidental omissions. Probate will generally be required for those assets, but once probated they are transferred into the trust and then distributed without further probate for beneficiaries named in the trust.
Understanding how a pour-over will functions requires attention to both trust mechanics and probate procedure. The document names a personal representative who administers the decedent’s estate, inventories assets, pays debts and taxes, and moves qualifying property into the trust. This process helps maintain continuity with the trust’s distribution and management provisions. For Arlington residents, the practical benefit is that the trust remains the central control point for final distributions, while the pour-over will covers any lingering items that were not transferred in advance.
Definition and Practical Explanation of a Pour-Over Will
A pour-over will is a testamentary document that directs any assets remaining in the decedent’s name at death to be transferred into a previously established living trust. It typically contains standard will provisions such as appointment of a personal representative and clauses addressing the disposition of tangible personal property. The term ‘pour-over’ reflects the document’s function: it pours residual assets into the trust so that the trust’s distribution and management rules apply. Although the pour-over will may trigger probate for those assets, it helps ensure the trust’s intent is carried out even when items were unintentionally not placed in the trust beforehand.
Key Elements and Processes Involved with Pour-Over Wills
Key elements include a clear statement directing assets into the named trust, appointment of a personal representative, and provisions that identify who receives remaining tangible property. The process begins with the filing of the will in probate for assets that were not already in the trust, followed by estate administration steps such as creditor notices, asset valuation, and debt settlement. Once administrative tasks are complete, remaining assets are transferred into the trust and distributed according to its terms. Proper coordination of beneficiary designations, account titling, and trust funding minimizes the need for probate and simplifies administration.
Key Terms and Glossary for Pour-Over Wills
This section defines commonly used terms so Arlington residents can better understand documents and conversations about pour-over wills. Terms include trust, trustee, personal representative, probate, funding, and residual estate. Knowing these words helps clients follow the steps required to move assets into a trust, understand what probate will cover, and recognize how to avoid leaving assets subject to a court process. Clear definitions also help family members and fiduciaries carry out duties with less confusion and reduce the likelihood of disputes during administration.
Trust
A trust is a legal arrangement in which one party, the trustee, holds legal title to assets for the benefit of others according to the terms set by the person who created the trust. In estate planning, a living trust is often used to manage and distribute assets during life and after death. The document specifies the trustee’s powers, how assets are to be used or distributed, and the identities of beneficiaries. Funding the trust properly, by retitling assets and naming the trust as beneficiary where appropriate, reduces the need for probate and supports the pour-over will’s aim of consolidating assets under the trust’s plan.
Personal Representative
A personal representative, sometimes called an executor, handles estate administration under state law when a will is probated. Responsibilities typically include filing the will with the probate court, notifying creditors and beneficiaries, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property. In the context of a pour-over will, the personal representative plays a key role in identifying assets that must be transferred into the trust and taking the legal steps needed to pour those assets into the trust so that trust provisions govern final distribution.
Probate
Probate is the court-supervised process for administering a decedent’s estate when assets are left in the decedent’s name or when no trust covers them. The process typically involves validating the will, appointing a personal representative, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets in accordance with the will or state law. Even when a pour-over will exists, probate is often necessary for assets that were not transferred into the trust. Proper planning aims to minimize probate through trust funding and beneficiary designations, but a pour-over will provides a backup to handle unexpected assets.
Funding
Funding refers to the act of transferring assets into a trust during the settlor’s lifetime so that the trust holds legal title to those assets and they avoid probate. Funding can include retitling real estate, changing account ownership, and updating beneficiary designations. A pour-over will exists to capture assets that were not funded prior to death, but proactive funding reduces the likelihood that assets will be subject to probate. Estate planning reviews focus on identifying what still needs funding and making changes to minimize administration time and expense for surviving family members.
Comparing Estate Options: Pour-Over Will vs. Other Approaches
When deciding how to structure an estate plan, individuals weigh options such as a simple will, a pour-over will with a living trust, or full trust-based planning without a will for residual assets. A simple will may be appropriate for smaller estates or straightforward asset situations, while a pour-over will paired with a living trust offers the benefit of centralizing distribution rules under the trust while providing a safety net. Full trust funding reduces probate, but the pour-over will remains a backstop. A thoughtful comparison considers family needs, property types, anticipated probate costs, and the desired level of privacy and continuity for asset management.
When a Limited Will Alone May Be Sufficient:
Simple Estates and Clear Beneficiary Designations
For individuals with relatively few assets and straightforward beneficiary designations, a traditional will without a corresponding trust may suffice. If bank accounts, retirement plans, and life insurance already name beneficiaries and property ownership is clear, the added complexity of trust administration might not be necessary. In such cases, a limited will can document final wishes for personal items and name a personal representative. However, even in simple situations, reviewing whether a pour-over will adds value as a safety net is wise, particularly if there is any risk that assets could be left in the individual’s name at death.
Low Risk of Probate Complexity
A limited approach may be appropriate when the estate is unlikely to trigger complex probate issues such as creditor claims, contested distributions, or multiple property ownership complications. When assets are minimal, beneficiaries are in agreement, and the cost of probate is predictable and manageable, keeping the plan simple can reduce legal fees and administrative burden. For many Arlington residents, evaluating the potential probate timeline and the costs involved helps determine whether a pour-over will and trust are worth the additional setup and maintenance effort for long-term planning goals.
Why a Coordinated Trust and Pour-Over Will Often Makes Sense:
Multiple Asset Types and Ownership Structures
When clients own diverse assets such as real estate, business interests, retirement accounts, and personal collections, coordinating those holdings under a trust with a pour-over will decreases the chance that items will be overlooked. Different ownership forms and account types require tailored transfer strategies; a trust-centered plan aligns distribution rules across asset types while the pour-over will captures any omissions. This comprehensive approach reduces administrative burdens and helps ensure a smoother transition for beneficiaries who otherwise might face delays or disputes during estate settlement.
Family Dynamics and Long-Term Management Needs
If a family anticipates ongoing management needs, trusts combined with pour-over wills provide more flexibility for handling minor beneficiaries, layering distributions over time, or protecting assets from unintended claims. For example, trusts can include provisions for asset management, incapacity planning, and staggered distributions that a simple will cannot offer. Having a comprehensive plan reduces uncertainty for family members and can make administration more predictable when responsibilities pass to trustees and personal representatives after death.
Benefits of Using a Trust with a Pour-Over Will
Combining a living trust with a pour-over will provides both planning benefits and a safety net. The trust serves as the main vehicle for managing assets and naming procedures for distribution, while the pour-over will addresses any property left outside the trust. This reduces the likelihood that assets will pass under intestate succession and clarifies the decedent’s intent, which can help prevent family disputes. In addition, trusts can offer ongoing management and privacy for family affairs, while the pour-over will ensures that no asset is left without direction.
Another benefit of a comprehensive approach is reduced long-term administration complexity. Properly funded trusts can limit the volume of assets that require probate, which is often a public process and can involve additional delays and costs. The pour-over will covers residual items so beneficiaries can rely on the trust’s plan. Having both documents in place gives peace of mind and a predictable framework for fiduciaries to follow, which helps families transition through estate administration with clearer guidance and reduced potential for conflict.
Greater Certainty and Coordination
A coordinated plan that includes both a living trust and a pour-over will brings greater certainty by consolidating distribution rules and naming responsible parties for asset management. This coordination reduces ambiguity about how items should be handled after death and provides a single document framework—the trust—that governs most decisions. For families in Arlington, this means surviving relatives have a clearer path to follow when settling affairs, which can reduce disputes and administrative delays during an already difficult time. Clear documentation also helps fiduciaries fulfill duties more efficiently and in line with the deceased’s wishes.
Protection for Overlooked or New Assets
A pour-over will serves as a backup that captures assets acquired late in life or inadvertently left outside a trust, such as newly purchased personal property or accounts created after trust funding. This protection reduces the likelihood that those assets will pass under intestacy rules or be distributed in ways contrary to the trust’s plan. Combined with proactive trust funding, the pour-over will helps maintain continuity and ensures that most property ultimately follows the trust’s distribution instructions, easing administration for personal representatives and trustees alike.
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Practical Tips for Pour-Over Will Planning
Review and Update Trust Funding Regularly
Regularly reviewing trust funding and beneficiary designations is an effective way to reduce the number of assets that might need to pass through probate under a pour-over will. Life changes such as home purchases, account openings, or updated beneficiary choices can leave assets outside the trust unintentionally. By scheduling periodic reviews, typically annually or after major life events, you can identify and retitle accounts, update beneficiary forms, and ensure that the pour-over will remains a narrow safety net rather than a primary distribution method.
Keep Clear Records and Communicate Wishes
Coordinate Titles and Beneficiary Designations
Coordinating account titles and beneficiary designations with the terms of the trust prevents conflicts and reduces probate exposure. Accounts that benefit from payable-on-death or transfer-on-death designations, or that name a trust as beneficiary, can avoid probate and fall directly under the trust’s control. Reviewing retirement accounts and life insurance beneficiary designations ensures they align with the broader estate plan. When accounts are intentionally left outside the trust, a pour-over will provides a fallback, but the goal should be to minimize reliance on probate where practical.
Reasons Arlington Residents Consider a Pour-Over Will
Residents choose a pour-over will for several practical reasons: to ensure accidental omissions do not derail an overall trust-based plan, to consolidate final distribution under a single trust document, and to provide a straightforward way to handle personal property that is not retitled. This option is particularly relevant when property transfers are overlooked, when new assets are acquired late in life, or when clients prefer the privacy and management features of a trust while retaining a safety net for unanticipated items.
Other considerations include the desire to name a trusted personal representative who will handle the probate process for remaining assets and to reduce the potential for intestate succession if items were unintentionally left without direction. For families with complex asset mixes or special distribution needs, a pour-over will supports a cohesive plan. It is also a practical step for people who plan to fund a trust over time and want assurance that their final wishes will be honored even if funding is incomplete at the time of death.
Common Circumstances That Lead People to Use a Pour-Over Will
Typical situations include newly acquired property that was not retitled before death, accounts opened after trust creation, property held jointly that reverts to a single name, or personal items that family members later discover outside trust schedules. Life events such as remarriage, relocation, or the sale and purchase of assets can create gaps in funding. Including a pour-over will alleviates the stress of those oversights by ensuring that the trust ultimately governs the distribution of most assets, even if probate is required first for certain items.
Assets Acquired After Trust Creation
When clients acquire assets after creating a trust, those items may remain in their personal name unless they take steps to transfer them. A pour-over will captures such items at death and directs them into the trust for distribution according to the trust’s terms. Regular planning reviews and follow-up on new purchases reduce the reliance on the pour-over will, but the document is an effective fallback when retitling was overlooked or delayed, ensuring continuity in the estate plan.
Overlooked Personal Property and Accounts
Personal property like family heirlooms, small financial accounts, or digital assets may be unintentionally omitted from trust funding. A pour-over will addresses these gaps by instructing that any leftover property be transferred to the trust. This helps ensure that personal items and modest accounts are handled consistently with the trust’s distribution plan, reducing the potential for confusion among heirs and simplifying the personal representative’s job during estate settlement.
Changing Family or Ownership Situations
Family dynamics and ownership arrangements change over time, with marriages, divorces, and property transfers affecting how assets should be handled. A pour-over will offers a way to keep the trust as the controlling document while providing coverage for unforeseen ownership changes that might leave assets outside the trust. It gives families a method to keep distribution intentions intact even when the formal funding process did not keep pace with life events, and it offers a clear legal mechanism for bringing assets into the trust posthumously.
Local Arlington Pour-Over Will Counsel
Jay Johnson Law Firm provides guidance to Arlington and Shelby County residents on drafting pour-over wills and coordinating them with living trusts. The firm helps clients identify assets that may require probate, prepares clear pour-over will language to direct remaining property into the trust, and assists with funding strategies to minimize probate exposure. With practical planning advice and hands-on assistance, the firm supports families through the legal steps needed to implement a cohesive estate plan that reflects their wishes and provides clarity for those who will administer their affairs.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Pour-Over Wills
Clients choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for practical estate planning services because the firm focuses on clear communication and tailored documents that align with each client’s goals. For pour-over wills, the firm emphasizes drafting that meshes with existing trusts, naming appropriate fiduciaries, and minimizing surprises during administration. Attorneys discuss funding options, beneficiary coordination, and probate expectations so clients know how their pour-over will operates alongside other planning tools available in Tennessee.
The firm’s process typically includes a comprehensive review of existing estate documents and asset ownership to identify items that should be retitled or covered by the pour-over will. Clients receive guidance on practical steps to reduce probate exposure while retaining the pour-over will as a backup. The goal is to implement a plan that reduces administrative complications and provides a clear path forward for personal representatives and trustees in the event of incapacity or death.
Communication and responsiveness are central to the firm’s client care approach. Jay Johnson Law Firm aims to make the planning process straightforward, offering plain-language explanations of legal options and potential outcomes. Whether updating existing documents, preparing a new trust and pour-over will, or assisting with probate matters for assets subject to a pour-over will, the firm guides clients through each step and helps them make informed decisions about protecting their family’s future in Arlington and across Shelby County.
Contact Jay Johnson Law Firm to Discuss Your Pour-Over Will
How We Handle Pour-Over Wills and Related Probate Tasks
At Jay Johnson Law Firm, the process begins with a review of your trust, account titles, and beneficiary designations to identify gaps that a pour-over will can cover. The firm drafts a pour-over will that designates a personal representative and instructs the transfer of residual assets into the trust. If probate is needed for those assets, the firm assists with filing, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, and completing required court steps so that the remaining property can be moved into the trust and distributed according to its terms.
Step One: Document Review and Planning
The first step is a thorough review of existing estate planning documents and asset ownership to determine what is already in the trust and what remains outside. This includes checking real estate titles, bank and investment account registrations, retirement account beneficiaries, and insurance policies. The goal is to identify assets that require retitling or beneficiary updates and to draft a pour-over will that serves as a reliable fallback for any items that remain outside the trust at death.
Assessing Asset Ownership and Beneficiaries
During the assessment, the attorney and client identify which assets are titled in the client’s individual name, which are jointly owned, and which are designated to pass by beneficiary designation. This step helps determine the extent of probate exposure and the practical effect of a pour-over will. Clients receive recommendations on retitling accounts or changing beneficiary designations when appropriate to reduce the volume of assets that may need to pass through probate and to align the estate plan with their distribution goals.
Drafting the Pour-Over Will and Trust Coordination
After identifying gaps, the pour-over will is drafted to name a personal representative and to direct residual assets into the trust. The attorney ensures the will references the correct trust document and coordinates language to reduce ambiguity. The firm also provides guidance on trust funding steps and a checklist of items to address after the documents are signed, helping clients implement changes that reduce the probability of probate and increase the effectiveness of the trust as the primary distribution vehicle.
Step Two: Execution and Funding Actions
Once documents are prepared, the next phase focuses on proper execution and initiating funding actions. Clients sign the pour-over will according to Tennessee witness and notary requirements so it is valid for probate administration if needed. Simultaneously, the firm recommends and helps implement funding steps where feasible, such as retitling property or updating beneficiary forms, to ensure the trust holds assets during life and the pour-over will functions primarily as a fallback.
Proper Signing and Record-Keeping
Proper execution of a pour-over will involves following statutory formalities to avoid challenges during probate. The attorney explains witness and acknowledgement requirements, ensures the signing process is documented, and provides clients with organized copies of finished documents. Good record-keeping also includes a summary of assets, account numbers, and instructions for fiduciaries so that personal representatives or trustees can locate what is needed to administer the estate and to transfer assets into the trust when the time comes.
Implementing Funding Recommendations
Implementing funding recommendations helps minimize reliance on a pour-over will after death. The firm guides changes to titles and beneficiary designations, provides sample account transfer language, and explains how to name the trust where appropriate. These actions reduce the assets that will require probate and ensure the pour-over will serves as a limited safety net. Clients receive practical advice on priorities for retitling and a staged approach if funding all assets at once is impractical.
Step Three: Probate and Trust Transfer if Needed
If assets remain in the decedent’s name at death, the pour-over will requires probate to transfer those assets into the trust. The firm assists the personal representative with probate filings, inventorying assets, satisfying creditor claims, and petitioning the court to transfer residual property to the trust. After the court authorizes distribution, the assets pour into the trust and are handled according to the trust’s terms, allowing trustees to manage or distribute property to beneficiaries as intended by the decedent.
Administering Probate for Residual Assets
Administering probate for assets subject to the pour-over will includes filing a petition, obtaining an order appointing the personal representative, and fulfilling duties such as notifying creditors and beneficiaries. The attorney assists throughout this process to ensure legal requirements are met and that transfers to the trust occur smoothly. Careful administration reduces delays and helps move remaining assets into the trust so beneficiaries can receive their distributions under the trust plan rather than under separate probate-based directives.
Completing the Transfer into the Trust
After probate administration tasks are finished, the estate’s remaining assets are transferred to the trust as directed by the pour-over will. This final step aligns the decedent’s leftover property with the trust’s distribution rules and management provisions. Once in the trust, assets are no longer subject to probate for subsequent distributions. The firm assists trustees and personal representatives with the necessary instruments and filings to complete these transfers and to document the process for beneficiaries and the court.
Pour-Over Will FAQs for Arlington Residents
What is a pour-over will and how does it work with a living trust?
A pour-over will is a testamentary document that directs any assets remaining in your individual name at death into an already established living trust. It names a personal representative to oversee probate for those assets and instructs that they be transferred into the trust so the trust’s distribution rules apply. The pour-over will is used as a safety net to ensure assets not retitled during life are eventually governed by the trust.The document does not eliminate probate for those assets, but it clarifies your intent to have the trust control final distributions. Many clients combine a pour-over will with proactive funding of the trust to reduce the volume of assets that will require probate administration.
Will a pour-over will avoid probate entirely?
No, a pour-over will does not avoid probate for assets left in the decedent’s name; it directs the personal representative to transfer those assets into the trust after probate. The pour-over will helps ensure those assets are ultimately distributed according to the trust, but the probate process is typically required to validate the will and authorize transfers for property that was not previously retitled.To reduce the need for probate, clients should consider retitling assets into the trust or updating beneficiary designations where possible. Regular planning reviews and funding steps can minimize probate exposure and simplify administration for survivors.
How do I make sure my assets are funded into my trust?
Funding a trust involves retitling property and updating account beneficiary designations so the trust holds legal ownership or is the designated recipient. This can include deeds for real estate, changing titles on bank and brokerage accounts, and naming the trust as beneficiary where permissible. The attorney can provide a checklist and suggested language for account transfers to help complete these actions.Because funding often happens over time, the pour-over will acts as a backup for assets that remain outside the trust. Regular reviews and a staged approach to retitling help ensure the trust increasingly covers assets and reduces the reliance on probate after death.
Who should I name as personal representative and trustee?
Choosing a personal representative and trustee depends on trustworthiness, organizational ability, and willingness to serve. The personal representative handles probate duties, while the trustee manages trust assets according to the trust terms. Sometimes the same person serves in both roles, but separate appointments can prevent conflicts of interest and distribute administrative responsibilities.It is important to discuss these roles with potential appointees and name backup choices in case the primary choice is unable or unwilling to serve. Clear instructions and communication reduce the burden on loved ones and help those appointed understand the responsibilities involved.
Can a pour-over will handle digital assets and smaller personal items?
Yes, a pour-over will can address smaller personal items and digital assets that may be overlooked during trust funding. The will directs that any such residual property be transferred into the trust so it can be distributed according to the trust’s provisions. Including a general clause for personal property in the pour-over will helps ensure that tangible items and certain digital accounts are considered during estate administration.It remains important to inventory digital accounts, document passwords where appropriate, and provide guidance for fiduciaries so these assets can be located and handled properly. Combining practical record-keeping with the pour-over will reduces confusion for successors.
How often should I review my pour-over will and trust documents?
Reviewing your pour-over will and trust documents periodically, and especially after major life events, helps ensure the plan remains aligned with your intentions. Changes in family structure, new property purchases, or updated beneficiary preferences can all affect whether assets are properly funded. Regular check-ins help identify needed title changes and updates to avoid accidental reliance on probate.Scheduling reviews at least every few years or following significant changes in assets or family circumstances provides timely opportunities to retitle assets and confirm that the pour-over will remains an appropriate safety net rather than the primary distribution method.
What costs can I expect if probate is required for residual assets?
Probate costs vary depending on the size and complexity of the estate, creditor claims, and the time required to administer assets. Typical expenses include court filing fees, personal representative fees where applicable, appraisal costs, and attorney fees if legal assistance is engaged. For residual assets covered by a pour-over will, these costs apply to the probate estate before remaining items are transferred into the trust.To manage costs, many clients focus on trust funding and beneficiary updates that reduce the amount of probate estate. The firm can provide an overview of likely cost factors and strategies to limit probate exposure in your particular situation.
Does a pour-over will change how beneficiaries of retirement accounts are handled?
Retirement accounts and certain beneficiary-designated assets generally pass according to their beneficiary designations and may not be controlled by a pour-over will. It is important to review and coordinate beneficiary choices so they align with the overall estate plan. Naming the trust as the beneficiary of retirement accounts is possible in some situations but requires careful consideration of tax and distribution rules.The attorney can help clients evaluate how retirement accounts fit into the trust plan and whether beneficiary changes are appropriate. Coordination minimizes conflicts between account designations and trust intentions and helps ensure the pour-over will addresses only items not otherwise controlled by beneficiary forms.
What happens if I move out of Tennessee after creating my trust and pour-over will?
If you move out of Tennessee after creating a trust and pour-over will, it is wise to review documents under the laws of your new state and update them if necessary. State probate and trust rules vary, and differences in formalities or tax rules can affect how documents operate. A legal review ensures that the pour-over will and trust remain valid and effective in light of your new residence.Often the easiest route is a targeted update to account for local differences while preserving the general plan. The firm can coordinate with counsel in other jurisdictions or provide guidance on changes needed to maintain a cohesive estate plan after a move.
How do I begin the process of creating a pour-over will with Jay Johnson Law Firm?
To begin, contact Jay Johnson Law Firm to schedule an initial consultation where the attorney will review existing documents, discuss goals, and identify assets that should be addressed. Bring a list of accounts, titles, beneficiary forms, and any existing trust documents. The firm will explain options for combining a pour-over will with a trust and recommend practical steps to reduce probate exposure.From there, the firm drafts the necessary documents, guides the execution process, and provides a plan for funding the trust or updating designations. The goal is to create a coordinated plan that reflects your wishes and provides clarity for those who will manage your affairs.