Ensuring People Know You Have a Will or Trust—and How Gentreo Can Help

Creating a will or trust is one of the most important steps in estate planning, but it’s just as critical to ensure that the right people know about it. If your loved ones can’t find your documents when needed, your careful planning may be overlooked, leading to delays, disputes, or even the courts deciding how your assets are distributed.

So, how do you make sure your family, executor, or trustee knows you have a will or trust and can access it when necessary? In this guide, we’ll outline the best practices for ensuring your estate planning documents are known and accessible. Plus, we’ll explore how Gentreo makes the entire process easy, secure, and effective.

Why It’s Important to Let People Know About Your Will or Trust

Failing to inform key individuals about your estate plan can lead to several problems, including:

• Your wishes not being followed – If no one knows you created a will or trust, your assets may not be distributed as intended.
• Delays in accessing important documents – Locating a missing will can take time, delaying probate or trust administration.
• Legal disputes – Family members may argue over your estate if they are unaware of your planning.
• Default state laws taking over – If no will is found, the state’s intestacy laws dictate asset distribution, which may not align with your wishes.

To prevent these issues, take proactive steps to make sure the right people know about your estate plan.

Who Needs to Know About Your Will or Trust?

When it comes to sharing information about your estate plan, you don’t need to broadcast it to everyone. Instead, focus on these key individuals:

1. Your Executor or Trustee
   • If you have a will, your executor is responsible for managing your estate after you pass.
   • If you have a trust, your trustee ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
   • Make sure they know they’ve been appointed and understand their role.
2. Immediate Family Members
   • Your spouse, children, or other close relatives should know you have an estate plan.
   • While you don’t have to disclose all the details, they should know where to find the documents if needed.
3. Your Attorney (If You Used One)
   • If you worked with an estate planning attorney, they may, but do not expect this, have a copy of your documents on file.
   • Ensure your executor or trustee knows how to contact them.
4. Your Financial Advisor or Accountant
   • These professionals can guide your family on financial matters related to your estate.
5. A Trusted Friend or Backup Executor
   • If your immediate family is unavailable or unable to act, a close friend or secondary executor should know where to locate your documents.

Best Ways to Ensure People Know About Your Will or Trust

1. Store Your Documents in a Secure Yet Accessible Location
   • Keeping your will or trust in a safe deposit box may seem secure, but it can be difficult for family members to access without legal permission, as in this is a very bad place to store your documents!
   • Instead, use a secure online storage solution like the Gentreo Digital Vault, which allows you to store and share documents easily.
2. Have a Conversation with Key Individuals
   • Talk to your executor, trustee, or close family members about your estate plan.
   • Let them know where your documents are stored and how to access them.
3. Use Gentreo to Share Digital Access
   • With Gentreo, you can store your will, trust, and other estate planning documents in a secure Digital Vault and grant access to copies to trusted individuals. Share where you have saved the original copy.
   • You control who can see your documents, making it easy to share only what’s necessary.
4. Upload a Digital Copy of Your Will or Trust to Gentreo
   • Even if you had your will or trust created by an attorney or another service, you can still upload a digital copy to Gentreo for easy access and sharing.
   • This ensures that your executor, trustee, or loved ones can find your estate plan quickly when needed.
5. Create a Letter of Instruction
   • A letter of instruction isn’t a legally binding document, but it can guide your loved ones on where to find your estate planning documents.
   • You can upload this letter to Gentreo’s Digital Vault alongside your will or trust.
6. Review and Update Access Regularly
   • Life circumstances change, so periodically review who has access to your documents.
   • With Gentreo, you can easily update access permissions and add new individuals as needed.
7. Keep a Hard Copy in a Safe Location
   • While digital storage is convenient, having a physical copy of your estate plan is still typically needed.
   • Keep it in a fireproof safe at home and inform your executor or trustee of its location.
8. Use Gentreo’s Instant Access Button for Emergencies
   • Gentreo provides an Instant Access Button, which allows your designated contacts to retrieve essential estate planning documents in case of an emergency.
   • This ensures no time is wasted when your family needs to access your will or trust.

How Gentreo Makes Estate Plan Accessibility Easy

Gentreo is more than just an online estate planning service—it’s a complete solution designed to help individuals create, store, and share their estate plans securely. Here’s how it can help ensure your will or trust is known and accessible:

✅ Create Legally Binding Wills & Trusts – Gentreo guides you through the process of creating a state-specific estate plan online.

✅ Store Documents Securely in the Digital Vault – Keep your estate planning documents, life insurance policies, and important files safe.

✅ Upload Wills or Trusts Created Elsewhere – If you had your estate planning documents created by an attorney or another service, you can still upload a digital copy to Gentreo to ensure they’re easily accessible.

✅ Share Access with Trusted Individuals – Designate family members, your executor, or your attorney to access specific documents.

✅ Instant Access for Emergencies – Ensure your loved ones can quickly retrieve your will or trust when needed.

✅ Annual Plan Reviews – Gentreo reminds you to update your estate plan as life changes, ensuring everything stays current.

Final Thoughts: Take Action Today

Having a will or trust is a crucial step in protecting your family’s future—but making sure the right people know about it is just as important. By using Gentreo, you can store, update, and securely share your estate planning documents with ease.

Even if you had your will or trust created elsewhere, you can still upload a digital copy to Gentreo’s Digital Vault to ensure it’s always accessible when needed.

Don’t wait until it’s too late; start your estate planning journey with Gentreo today. By doing so, you’ll not only protect your loved ones but also gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing your legacy is secure.  Click HERE to join now.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney or estate planning professional for personalized guidance.