Signing a trust. Drafting a will. Appointing your power of attorney. Setting up your healthcare directive. These are important steps. But they aren’t the finish line.
Documents don’t work if no one can find them.
During a crisis, time matters. Decisions happen fast. If your plan is buried in a drawer or locked somewhere no one can reach, the people you chose to act for you might not be able to. And when that happens, everything you prepared for can fall apart.
Who needs access?
Start with your key decision-makers.
• Your healthcare agent. They’ll need your Georgia advance directive to speak with doctors and make treatment decisions.
• Your financial agent. They’ll need your durable power of attorney to pay bills, manage accounts, and keep things running.
• Your executor. After you’re gone, they’ll need the original will. Not a copy. Georgia probate courts require the real thing.
• Your trustee. If you have a living trust, they’ll need the trust documents to take control of the assets.
Other people may need access too. Your CPA. Your financial advisor. Your physician. Anyone who plays a role in carrying out your wishes should know where the plan is—and how to get to it.
Where should you keep your estate documents?
There’s no single rule, but here are a few good options:
• Store originals in a fireproof safe or secure filing cabinet at home. Make sure your agents know where it is and how to get in.
• Give copies to trusted people. Powers of attorney and healthcare directives are typically valid as copies. Wills are not.
• Think carefully before using a safe deposit box. If your executor isn’t already listed on the box, they may need the will to access it. And without the will, they can’t get court authority. That’s a loop no one wants to be stuck in.
Digital backup makes everything easier
Clients of Fletcher Estate Planning have the option to store documents securely in our encrypted client portal. That means:
• You can access your documents any time, from anywhere
• You can share them quickly with the people who need them
• You don’t have to worry about paper copies being lost, damaged, or unavailable in an emergency
Just remember: while most documents can be shared digitally, Georgia probate courts still require the original will for filing.
Final thought
Estate planning is not just about what you signed. It’s about whether it can be used when it counts.
If you already have documents, we can help you make sure they’re organized, secure, and accessible. If you’re just starting, we’ll walk you through each step to make sure nothing gets missed.
Call Fletcher Estate Planning at (404) 409-5665 or reach out online to schedule a consultation.
We help Georgia families protect what matters most—by putting plans in place that actually work.
