Having completed a detailed audit of the key risk areas in estate planning, we have seen a significant increase in situations where minor, inconsequential requested changes have seen delays in documentation being signed, in some instances, for extended periods. In other instances, clients have actually suffered an incapacity event or death before signing updated documents.
Examples of the types of changes include adding middle names, address details, phone numbers, dates of birth or occupations.
Particularly in relation to inserting missing address details, phone numbers or occupations, not only does this create immediate risk, it also creates a situation where the customer is potentially at risk in the future when the relevant person (inevitably) moves address, changes contact details or occupation.
These details are unnecessary to ensure validity of documents, however if included, do cause difficulties if they are not subsequently updated.
Our recommendation therefore is that these line items should be left blank, unless completed entirely accurately in the initial data submission. Your attorneys and guardians can complete the details by hand at any time after signing.