In today’s hybrid legal practice, many clients and attorneys still prefer—or require—pen-and-paper execution of their estate planning documents outside of the attorney’s office. But guiding clients through each signature line, notarization, and witness requirement can eat up hours of your time and generate endless follow-up calls. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce Automated Signing Instructions—a new feature in our estate planning drafting packages that creates clear, customized, client-facing execution guides automatically.
Why Automated Signing Instructions Matter
Estate planning documents often include multiple signature and initial lines, notary acknowledgments, and witness blocks. When clients sign at home, it’s remarkably easy to:
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Miss an initial spot in a Will or Trust
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Neglect to have a document notarized correctly
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Overlook the number or placement of required witnesses
Each oversight can delay your matter, require correction trips to the notary, and frustrate both you and your client. Automated Signing Instructions eliminate these hiccups by providing clients with:
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Step-by-step directions that map out exactly where to sign or initial on each page
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Notary guidance specifying which documents require notarization (and where to obtain one)
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Witness details indicating how many witnesses are needed and where they should sign
Key Benefits for Your Practice
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Reduce Errors & Omissions
By highlighting every signature, initial line, and notary block, you prevent incomplete or improperly executed forms. No more chasing down missing signatures—clients simply follow the numbered steps. -
Save Time & Cut Follow-Up
Instead of fielding emails or calls about “Where do I sign?” you include one instruction sheet with your package. Clients execute their documents independently, and you receive fully executed originals with confidence. -
Ensure Compliance
Execution requirements vary by document. Our feature flags each form’s needs—joint or multiple signatures for some documents, notarizations for Powers of Attorney, witness rules for wills—ensuring compliance with Washington and Oregon law. -
Elevate Client Experience
Branded, professional instructions inspire confidence. Clients know exactly what to do, minimizing confusion and boosting satisfaction with your service. -
Focus on High-Value Work
Offload administrative guidance. With execution details handled by the software, you can dedicate more time to strategic planning, client counseling, and growing your practice.
Included with Every Drafting Package
Automated Signing Instructions are available now in each Estate Planning Package in your Library. Simply select your package, check the box for Execution Instructions, on the Document Selection tab and assemble the guide along with your estate planning documents.
The output will be custom to the plan package that you are drafting. For example, if you’ve drafted a revocable trust package, then your instructions will address execution of the revocable trust first and then the pour-over Will. If you’ve included a community property agreement, the instructions will address its execution. If you’ve included Powers of Attorney, the execution instructions will change depending upon whether you’ve chosen to draft them as executed with two witnesses or a notary.
Experience how this feature can streamline remote document execution, enhance compliance, and free up your time for the legal work that truly matters. No more preparation of instructions with all of the documents open, typing specific guidance. (Or no more skipping drafting the clients instructions because it’ll take an extra hour of your time!)
If you have questions or need assistance, our support team is here to help at support@agile-ep.com.
Empower your clients to sign with confidence—and your practice to operate more efficiently—using Automated Signing Instructions from Agile Estate Planning.
