What is estate planning coordination?
Estate planning coordination is the performance of making sure your estate documents & account settings and tax picture all point to the same outcome. Instead of treating your will, trust, retirement accounts and insurance as separate files, this service lines them up in order for your family to follow your intent without confusion.
This page sits under our CFP services and the focus is coordination and follow-through — not legal drafting.
Why can a good plan still fail without coordination?
A plan has the potential to break down when paperwork in one place contradicts paperwork in another. For example, beneficiary forms might override a will and an old account title can bypass a trust. General misalignments we look for are presented below:
- A retirement account beneficiary that no longer matches the current family situation
- Life insurance proceeds going to an outdated recipient
- A trust created years ago that was never funded with the intended assets
- Joint ownership choices that unintentionally sidestep the stated legacy goals
- A tax strategy that increases costs for heirs when a simpler option exists
What do we coordinate for you?
We coordinate the moving pieces — so your attorney’s documents & your financial reality tell the same story. That covers wills and trusts coordination, plus the practical items that generally get missed after signing day. Our team review the areas below:
- Beneficiary designation review for retirement plans and IRAs as well as insurance policies
- Account titling & ownership details across banks and brokerages
- Powers of attorney planning — so the right person can act if you cannot
- Healthcare directive planning to document medical decision-makers & preferences
- A consistency check between the cash-flow plan & the future funding needs of your estate
- Estate planning team coordination with your attorney and insurance agent along with other advisors — with your permission
How does the coordination process work?
Our estate planning coordination obtains a transparent workflow custom-designed to generate usable action items.
- Discovery call and goal check — we talk through what “success” looks like for you & who depends on you
- Document and account collection — clients share their existing estate documents & a list of accounts & policies
- Alignment review — our experts compare documentation against account titles & beneficiary settings, then locate conflicts
- Action plan — you receive a prioritized checklist & plain-English explanations and who should handle each item
- Implementation support — our team coordinates meetings & follow-ups with the estate professionals until the list is done
What should you bring to the first meeting?
The items listed below speed up the review:
- Current will/trust documents — if any
- Latest statements for retirement accounts & life insurance
- A list of bank & brokerage accounts and how each one is titled
- Any powers of attorney/healthcare directives already signed
- Basic insurance coverage details & any recent major life changes
How is this different from legal drafting?
This service focuses on fit and execution. Legal documents must be prepared by your attorney. We present aid in spotting mismatches, clarifing decisions and keeping the plan current. Then your legal team handles the legal language.
| Task | Attorney | CFP coordinator |
|---|---|---|
| Draft or amend wills and trusts | ✔ | — |
| Explain how account ownership affects the plan | — | ✔ |
| Organize follow-up steps after signing | — | ✔ |
| Review beneficiaries for consistency | — | ✔ |
| Coordinate with other professionals you use | Sometimes | ✔ |
When should you revisit your estate plan?
Estate planning coordination should be revisited after events that change your family or assets or taxes. A short check-in can prevent outdated settings from staying in place for years. The triggers that generally justify a review are listed as follows:
- Marriage & divorce or a new child
- A move to a new state or a change in residency
- Buying & selling a business
- A major increase in savings or real estate or life insurance
- A death in the family or a change in who you trust to act for you
Ready to work with Helium Day Tax & CPAs?
If you want estate planning coordination that stays fully practical, our experts can put the pieces in order and keep momentum through the finish line. Reach out to us schedule a CFP consultation and start your checklist.
Other dedicated CFP Services:
FAQs
How much does estate planning coordination cost?
Hourly fees start at $480. The final price naturally varies in line with how many accounts and documents are covered, plus the amount of follow-up coordination.
Do I need a trust to get started?
No. This service might support a will-based plan or a trust-based plan, as long as the important documents & account settings can be reviewed.
Will you coordinate with my attorney and other professionals?
Definitely, with your written permission we may coordinate with your attorney & other professionals to keep updates moving.
Is this covered under your CFP services hub?
Yes. This page focuses on coordination and follow-through. Legal drafting and document changes stay with your attorney.