How to Help Clients Go Beyond Their Will

For many advisors, guiding a client through their estate planning checklist ends with the Will. And for decades, that was enough. But today’s families are more complex. Assets are more diverse. And expectations — both emotional and legal — have shifted.

Helping a client “get a Will in place” is no longer the finish line. It’s the starting point.

We regularly hear from wealth advisors, estate planners, and lawyers who say: “I didn’t realize how much was missing until I saw the conflict it caused.” From siblings disputing over heirlooms, to executors lost in paperwork, the gaps in most estate plans aren’t just logistical — they’re deeply personal.

If you’re advising clients on how to plan for what comes next, here’s how to take the conversation deeper.

🔍 Go Beyond the Legal Framework: Key Areas to Explore With Clients

Uncover what’s not in the Will

Most Wills are designed to meet legal requirements — but they rarely reflect the nuance of family dynamics, personal values, or sentimental belongings. Encourage clients to reflect on what matters most emotionally, not just financially.

Document specific and sentimental items

Jewelry, collectibles, art, and family heirlooms often hold disproportionate emotional weight. When these aren’t mentioned — or explained — they become flashpoints for conflict.

Ask about pets and who will care for them

Pets are part of the family, yet many Wills omit who will care for them or how that care should be funded. Clarify who’s willing and what’s expected.

Discuss burial and funeral wishes

Clients often assume their loved ones “will just know,” but these moments are fraught with emotion. Encourage clients to document preferences clearly — from cremation to religious traditions to celebration-of-life details.

Explore digital legacies

We now live part of our lives online. Clients may have cryptocurrency holdings, photo libraries, cloud storage, email accounts, and digital subscriptions. They should leave instructions and passwords, and specify what should be archived, deleted, or passed down.

Identify less typical assets

Airline miles, credit card points, loyalty programs — these are often overlooked but can be valuable. Some can be transferred, others may require named beneficiaries. Ask: What have you accumulated that has value — even if it’s not traditional?

Review life insurance and beneficiary alignment

Life insurance isn’t only about coverage — it’s a core part of legacy transfer and liquidity planning. Ensure policies are up to date and that beneficiaries are correctly named and aligned with the rest of the estate plan.

Start conversations around tax strategy

Clients are often unaware of capital gains exposure, estate tax thresholds, or the impact of charitable giving. Collaborate with their accountant or tax advisor to identify planning opportunities early — not when it’s too late.

Clarify the executor’s role and give them tools

The executor isn’t just a name. It’s a job — and often a hard one. Help your client choose someone capable, and ensure that person has access to the information and guidance they’ll need when the time comes.

Encourage personal messages or Letters of Wishes

Sometimes the greatest gift isn’t the asset — it’s the context. A short written or recorded message explaining “why” can prevent years of family friction.

🛠️ How Trusty Helps Advisors Create Real Clarity

Trusty was built to support everything the Will leaves out. It’s a secure digital hub that helps clients capture the human side of their legacy — and gives you, as an advisor, a way to stay connected to the bigger picture.

With Trusty, your clients can:

• Record and store Letters of Wishes and video messages
• Assign heirs for sentimental and digital assets
• Track pets, collectibles, storage locations, and travel points
• Log where their Will and legal documents are kept
• Organize important digital credentials for their executor
• Give you access, so you can support better — and stay top of mind

Clients don’t need more documents. They need clarity.

And when you help provide that, you’re not just planning for death — you’re preserving peace for the people left behind.