You completed an e-will or trust - what’s next?

Important note: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital does not provide legal advice, does not endorse any particular online estate planning platform, form, attorney or advisor, and cannot determine whether any will, trust or other estate planning document is valid, complete or legally enforceable. Please consult a qualified estate planning attorney, tax advisor or other professional advisor regarding your specific circumstances.

Creating or reviewing an estate planning document can be an important step in thinking about how you would like to provide for the people and causes you care about most. Because legal requirements vary by state and by individual circumstance, an attorney or other qualified professional advisor resource can help explain what may apply to your situation.

1. Keep copies of your estate planning documents in a secure location.

If you have prepared an estate planning document through an online platform or another resource, you may wish to keep copies in a location where they can be accessed when needed.

Items individuals sometimes consider:

• Whether to download or retain a copy of any document prepared through the platform or resource you used.
• Saving a digital copy in a secure location (such as a password protected file or secure cloud storage).
• Printing a physical copy and storing it in a safe but accessible place.

Helpful note: If unsure, a professional advisor can help you consider how and where estate planning documents should be maintained and who should know how to locate them.

2. Ask a professional advisor about applicable signing and execution requirements if you are unsure.

Requirements for signing, witnessing, notarization and electronic documents can vary by state and by circumstance. St. Jude cannot advise whether a document has been properly signed, executed or made legally effective.

Questions to ask your attorney, advisor or other applicable professional resource:

• Has the document been signed or executed in the manner required under applicable law?
• What requirements may apply to the document, including:
  • Number of witnesses
  • Whether notarization is needed
  • Whether electronic or remote witnessing is permitted
  • Is a self-proving affidavit (notarized statement signed by you and your witnesses) needed?

Because rules vary, you may wish to consult a qualified professional resource to understand the requirements that may apply before relying on or updating any estate planning document. St. Jude cannot provide that guidance or determine whether a document is valid or legally effective.

3. Review your beneficiary designations.

Some assets may pass outside of (and so will not be controlled by) a will or trust, such as retirement accounts, life insurance policies and financial accounts with named beneficiaries. Because beneficiary designations may control how those assets are distributed, it can be important to confirm that they are consistent with the terms of your will, trust and overall estate plan. Rules vary by state and by asset type, and mistakes or inconsistencies may create unintended results or tax consequences. You may wish to consult a qualified professional resource to understand how beneficiary designations may apply to your specific situation.

Records you may wish to review with a professional advisor:

• Retirement accounts (401k, IRA)
• Life insurance policies
• Bank or investment accounts with named beneficiaries

You may wish to review these designations periodically to help identify whether they remain consistent with your will, trust and other estate planning documents.

Why this may matter: In some circumstances, beneficiary designations may override or operate separately from instructions in a will or trust. If designations are outdated, incomplete or inconsistent with estate planning documents, assets may not pass as intended and there may be tax or administrative consequences. A qualified professional resource can help explain how this may apply to your situation.

4. Consider sharing document location information with key people.

Some people choose to let trusted individuals know where important estate planning documents are located so they can be found if needed.

Individuals who may be involved in locating or using estate planning documents may include:

• An executor, trustee or other person named in the document
• A person named to serve in a fiduciary or caregiving role, if applicable
• A trusted family member, advisor or other appropriate contact

When estate planning documents cannot be located, it may create delays or uncertainty for the people responsible for carrying out the terms of those documents.

5. Document your charitable intentions with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

If your estate planning document includes a gift to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, thank you for making a lasting difference for children with cancer and other serious diseases.

If you choose to share information about a charitable gift intention with St. Jude, we can provide information about our legal name, tax identification number, legacy recognition opportunities and how charitable gifts support the St. Jude mission. Sharing your intentions:

• Helps us understand and acknowledge your charitable intentions.
• Allows us to welcome you into the Danny Thomas St. Jude Society, our distinct legacy giving community. 
• Ensures we can provide you with information on patient care and research that gifts like yours help make possible.

This information is non-binding, remains confidential and does not change or affect your estate planning documents. It simply helps us say thank you, understand your charitable intentions and plan responsibly for the future.

We’re here to provide information about charitable gifts to St. Jude

Preparing or reviewing an estate planning document can be a meaningful step for yourself and for the people and causes you care about. Before relying on any estate planning document, you may wish to consult a qualified attorney or other professional advisor or resource.

If you have questions about documenting a charitable gift to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, our team can provide general information about charitable giving to St. Jude for you and your professional advisor to consider. Call us at 800-395-4341 or email mylegacy@stjude.org.

Thank you for considering us in your estate plans. Your generosity will ensure that your legacy of compassion continues to touch the lives of the children of St. Jude, now and into the future.