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What is an Estate Plan, also known as a Living Trust?

An estate plan is a collection of legal documents that protects a person’s wishes, assets, and loved ones during life and after death. Understanding these documents is valuable not only for families but also for notaries, real estate professionals, and anyone who serves clients during major life transitions. Below is a list of the most common documents included in an estate plan, along with general descriptions of those that are typically notarized.

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Living Trust

A living trust is the centerpiece of most estate plans. This document allows a person (the “trustor”) to place their assets—such as a home, bank accounts, and investments into a trust during their lifetime. The trust names a trustee to manage those assets and a successor trustee to take over if the trustor becomes incapacitated or passes away.

 

Last Will and Testament

A will directs what happens to assets not placed in the trust. Even with a trust, most estate plans include a “pour-over will.” This ensures that any assets left outside the trust are transferred into it upon the death of the trustor.

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Durable Power of Attorney 

Authorizes someone to handle financial matters.

This document allows a trusted person (agent) to manage finances if the signer becomes incapacitated. It may cover banking, real estate, taxes, and business matters.

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Advance Health Care Directive

Combines medical decisions and end-of-life wishes.

This document names a health care agent and outlines the signer’s wishes regarding life support, pain management, and organ donation.

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HIPAA Authorization

Allows access to medical information.

Without this document, even close family members may be denied access to medical records. Sometimes notarized, depending on the provider’s requirements

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Certification of Trust

A summary of the trust for third parties.

Instead of sharing the full trust, this document confirms that a valid trust exists and who has the authority to act. Commonly notarized.

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Deeds and Property Transfers

Used to fund the trust. Real estate is often transferred into a trust and may be used with a grant deed or a quitclaim deed. This document is usually notarized.

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Assignment of Personal Property

Transfers personal belongings into the trust. This document assigns items such as furniture, jewelry, and collectibles to the trust. This document is usually notarized, though not always.

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When notarizing your estate planning documents, My Home Notary Service always recommends hiring a notary public who is knowledgeable about the documents included in your estate planning for a successful notarization.

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