What does estate planning coordination mean in real life?
Estate planning coordination is the hands-on process of making sure the estate documents and account paperwork, as well as the taxation picture, all point to the same target. It focuses on consistency without conflicts:
- What your will says?
- What your trust says?
- What your bank forms say?
- What your family expects?
When clients work with our CFP on this project, the target is straightforward: fewer surprises & loose ends — and a plan that will actually function.
Which parts of your estate plan should match?
The optimal, effective plans are custom-built from pieces that agree with each other. Our professionals look for gaps and overlaps as well as outdated choices. Then we coordinate updates with the right professionals. Our review includes the elements presented below:
- Wills and trusts coordination — making sure your will & any trust language support the same targets
- Beneficiary designation review — checking retirement plans and life insurance along with investment accounts for current & intentional beneficiaries
- Powers of attorney planning — confirming who can act for you on financial matters if you cannot
- Healthcare directive planning — confirming who can speak for you & what medical wishes you want honored
- Account titling and ownership — verifying how assets are held, since titles can override a document’s intent
What gets checked during coordination?
Coordination is not about drafting legal documents. It’s about verifying that the moving parts cooperate together and that nothing is left to chance.
| Item | Where it appears | We confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement and insurance forms | 401(k), IRA, life insurance | Names, percentages, contingent choices |
| Decision-makers | POA and healthcare directive | Who acts, when authority starts, backups |
| Trust funding | Deeds, account titles | Whether assets are titled to comply with the trust plan |
| Tax-sensitive assets | Retirement accounts, business interests | How distribution choices might impact taxation |
How does the estate planning team coordination process work?
Estate planning team coordination embraces a transparent sequence in order to comprehend every element as outlined below:
- Clarifying targets & family priorities — our professionals start with the legacy wishes and dependents as well as any charitable plans
- Inventory documents and accounts — our team collects what exists today & notes what is missing
- Reviewing consistency points — we compare beneficiaries and ownership along with decision-maker roles across documents & forms
- Creating an action list — you get a short, functional set of updates organized by who needs to handle each item — attorney, financial institution or you
- Confirming completion — our experts track what was changed & what still needs attention — so your plan doesn’t stall halfway
What should you prepare before we begin?
A proper meeting is fast when the correct information is on the table. Our professionals will ask about your targets, concerns, income items and expenses, debt, dependents, insurance coverage and whether you already have estate documents in place.
Bring what you can from this list below:
- Current will & trust and any amendments
- Beneficiary statements from retirement plans & life insurance
- Copies of powers of attorney & healthcare directives
- A simple list of major accounts & how they are titled
- Notes on family changes you expect soon — marriage, divorce, new child, relocation
What issues can estate planning coordination aid you prevent?
Estate planning coordination has the potential to lower the risk of outcomes that families generally consider “unfair” — even when everyone acted in good faith.
General issues such an approach presents assistance in preventing:
- A beneficiary form overriding the intent of a will or trust
- A missing backup decision-maker when the primary agent cannot serve
- An unfunded trust that exists on paper but not in asset ownership
- Unintended tax results from how retirement assets pass to heirs
- Confusion for survivors who are trying to locate documents and account contacts
Ready to talk with Maris & Associates?
If you need estate planning coordination that aligns the documentation, beneficiaries and tax considerations, reach out to us today. Our professionals will explain what we can coordinate & what your attorney should handle and what to do first.
This page is under our CFP services. You can also visit:
FAQs
How much does estate planning coordination cost?
Our rates start at $480 per hour, and the total varies in parallel to how many accounts & forms and docs you want reviewed.
Will Maris & Associates write my will or trust for me?
No — this service focuses on wills and trusts coordination with your attorney & aligning your documentation.
Is this part of CFP services even if I already have an attorney?
Yes — under CFP services, we present assistance in organizing the action list with your permission and keep the work moving with your team.