Initials: Initial the bottom of each page.

Signature: Sign and date in front of a notary and have your signature notarized.

Self-Proving Affidavit: Self-Proving Affidavit: Although not required for your will to be valid, completing the self-proving affidavit will make it easier for your personal representative to admit your will for probate. To complete this Affidavit, you and two witnesses will need to complete the form and sign it in front of a notary and have all three signatures notarized. Witnesses cannot be named anywhere in your Will or be someone who knows or believes he or she is entitled to any portion of your estate as an heir at law. The witnesses do not need to read or otherwise know what your Will says. Witnesses only need to understand the document is your Will.

Copies: Keep the original in your Portfolio in a safe place and let your family know where it is. Although not required, it is also a good idea to keep a copy outside your home in a secure location. If you do keep a second copy in a differently location, be sure to indicate it on your Location List.

Initials: Initial the bottom of each page.

Signature: Sign and date in front of a notary and have your signature notarized.

Witnesses: The Trust requires the signature of two witnesses. The witnesses cannot be a person who has a claim against you either now or at the time of your death, or a person who knows or believes he or she is entitled to any portion of your estate, either as a beneficiary under your will or as an heir at law. Both witnesses need to be present when you sign and must sign the trust at the same time in front of a notary. The witnesses do not need to read or otherwise know what the trust says. Witnesses only need to understand this document is your signed trust.

Copies: Keep the original in your binder. If you have a joint trust, place a copy in your spouse’s binder. You may also store a backup copy in a secure location outside your home and note it on your Location List.

Signature: Sign and date in front of a notary and have your signature notarized.

Copies: Keep the original in your binder. Use copies as needed when managing trust property. If you and your spouse have a joint trust, be sure to put a copy in your spouse’s portfolio.

Initials: Initial the bottom of each page.

Specific Powers (Section 4): These powers are optional. Take time to review each one and initial only the powers you want your agent to have. If there’s a power you don’t want to grant, simply draw a line through that item. To help you decide, think about what situations you can realistically imagine coming up—or how broad you want your agent’s authority to be. There’s no right or wrong answer here—just choose what makes you feel most comfortable. If you have a trust, be sure to initial 4.1, which gives your agent the ability to transfer assets into your trust if needed.

Signature: Sign and date in front of a notary and have your signature notarized

Copies: Keep the original in your binder and give a copy to your named agent.

Initials: Initial the bottom of each page.

Signature: Sign and date in front of a notary and have your signature notarized.

Copies: Store the original in your binder and provide a copy to your named agent.

Initials: Initial along the right margin, under Section III if you have no other directions, and at the bottom of each page.

Signature: Sign and date in front of two witnesses.

Witnesses: The Advance Directive requires the signature of two witnesses. Witnesses cannot be your attending physician or any other physician, an employee of a health care facility in which you are a patient, a person who has a claim against you either now or at the time of your death, or a person who knows or believes he or she is entitled to any portion of your estate, either as a beneficiary under your will or as an heir at law. Both witnesses need to be present when you sign and must sign the document at the same time. The witnesses do not need to read or otherwise know what the Advance Directs says. Witnesses only need to understand this document is your signed Advance Directive.

Copies: Keep the original in your binder and share copies with loved ones or your medical agent.

Initials: Initial the bottom of each page.

Signature: Sign and date in front of a notary and have your signature notarized.

Witnesses: The Appointment requires the signature of two witnesses. The witnesses cannot be someone named as a potential guardian. Both witnesses need to be present when you sign and must sign the declaration at the same time in front of a notary. The witnesses do not need to read or otherwise know what the Appointment says. Witnesses only need to understand this document is your signed Appointment.

Copies: Store the original in your binder and place a copy in your spouse’s binder, if applicable.

Initials: Initial along the right margin where indicated.

Signature: Sign and date in front of a notary and have your signature notarized.

Copies: Store the original in your binder and make sure your loved ones know it’s there.