The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Estate Planning Documents - myDox

Estate planning may not be the most exciting task on your to-do list, but it’s one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones. Having your estate planning documents organized, accessible, and up to date ensures that your wishes are followed and that your family won’t have to navigate a legal and financial mess.

But let’s be real—estate planning comes with a lot of paperwork. From wills and trusts to powers of attorney and insurance policies, keeping track of everything can feel overwhelming.

That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide to organizing your estate planning documents—so you can get everything in order now and have peace of mind for the future.

The Core Documents Every Estate Plan Should Include

A well-organized estate plan ensures that your assets, medical decisions, and final wishes are handled exactly how you want. Here are the essential documents you need to have in place:

1. Will – Outlines how your assets should be distributed and who will care for minor children.
2. Trust – Helps manage assets and can allow beneficiaries to avoid probate.
3. Power of Attorney (POA) – Gives a trusted person the authority to make financial decisions on your behalf.
4. Healthcare Proxy (Medical POA) – Appoints someone to make medical decisions if you’re unable to do so.
5. Advance Directive (Living Will) – Specifies your wishes for medical care if you’re incapacitated.
6. Life Insurance Policy – Ensures financial support for your family after you pass.
7. Beneficiary Designations – Retirement accounts, bank accounts, and life insurance policies that specify who receives the funds.
8. Funeral & Final Wishes Instructions – Outlines your preferences for burial, cremation, or memorial services.

How myDox Helps:

• Stores all estate planning documents in one secure place so nothing is lost.
• Allows you to update documents easily as life circumstances change.
• Gives trusted family members or legal representatives access when needed.

Example: Your will is out of date, naming an executor who has since passed away. Because you stored it in myDox, you’re reminded to update it before it becomes a legal issue for your family.

How to Keep Your Estate Planning Documents Organized

Having the right documents is only half the battle—you also need to keep them organized.

Best Practices for Organizing Your Estate Plan:

• Keep everything in a centralized, secure location. (No loose papers in a drawer!)
• Label documents clearly so they’re easy to find.
•  Store digital copies in myDox for instant access.
• Set reminders to review your documents regularly.

 Example: Your spouse needs your power of attorney document while you’re hospitalized. Instead of searching through piles of paperwork, they log into myDox and send the document instantly to the hospital.

Who Should Have Access to Your Estate Planning Documents?

Estate planning documents are highly sensitive, so access should be carefully controlled.

 People who should have access:

•  Your spouse or partner
•  Your adult children (if appropriate)
• Your executor or trustee
• Your financial advisor or attorney

 With myDox, you can:

•  Share documents securely with only specific trusted individuals.
•  Set permissions and expiration dates for access.
• Revoke access anytime if things change.

Example: You don’t want your children to have full access to your estate plan yet, but you want your attorney to have immediate access when needed. With myDox, you control who can view or download files.

When to Update Your Estate Planning Documents

Estate planning isn’t a one-and-done process. Life changes, and your documents need to reflect your current wishes.

 Review and update your documents after major life events, such as:

• Marriage or divorce – Update beneficiary designations.
• Having children or grandchildren – Ensure they are included in your will or trust.
• Buying or selling property – Adjust your estate plan to reflect new assets.
•  Major financial changes – If you inherit money or open new accounts, update your plan.
•  Health concerns – Review medical directives and powers of attorney.

 Example: Five years after finalizing your estate plan, you remarry. If you forget to update your beneficiary designations, your ex-spouse may still be entitled to inherit assets. Keeping estate planning documents updated in myDox prevents these costly mistakes.

How myDox Makes Estate Planning Easy

Managing estate planning documents doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With myDox, you can:

• Store all estate documents securely in one place.
• Organize files by category (wills, trusts, POAs, insurance, etc.).
•  Access your documents instantly from anywhere.
• Share files securely with attorneys, executors, and family members.
• Set reminders to review and update your documents regularly.

Estate planning is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your family. Get started with myDox today and ensure everything is in order for the future.