Professional Trust,
Client Protection
The EDRS standard gives estate planning attorneys a trusted, standardized framework for registering client documents with blockchain-verified integrity, bar-linked attestation, and institutional interoperability.
Attestation Workflow
Attorney Attestation Under EDRS
EDRS establishes a rigorous, cryptographically verifiable attestation framework that ties each registration to your bar credentials and professional identity. This is not just document storage — it is professional attestation with an immutable audit trail.
PKI Digital Signatures
Each attestation is cryptographically signed using Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates tied to your verified professional identity. Signatures are non-repudiable and independently verifiable by any relying party.
Bar Verification
EDRS requires registries to verify your state bar membership and good standing before issuing attestation credentials. Your bar number and jurisdiction are embedded in every attestation you sign.
Five Attestation Types
The standard defines five distinct attestation categories: Witnessing of Execution, Preparation of Document, Notarization, Legal Review and Opinion, and Identity Verification of the Principal.
The Five Attestation Types
Benefits
Why Attorneys Choose EDRS
Standardized Registration
A single, consistent workflow for registering every type of estate document. No more ad hoc storage arrangements, lost originals, or client confusion about where documents are kept. EDRS provides a uniform process that clients and institutions both trust.
Version Control
Every amendment, restatement, and revocation is tracked with full version history. When a will is updated, the registry maintains a complete chain of custody showing exactly when each version was registered, by whom, and which is current.
Institutional Verification
Banks, healthcare providers, and courts can independently verify the authenticity and currency of documents you have registered, without contacting your office. This reduces friction for your clients and strengthens the reliance parties can place on your work.
Reduced Malpractice Risk
Blockchain-verified registration creates an immutable record that a document was properly executed, witnessed, and delivered. The audit trail protects you by providing clear evidence of professional diligence in the event of a dispute.
Integration
Working with EDRS-Compliant Registries
EDRS is designed to integrate into your existing practice workflow. Whether you work with a single registry provider or need programmatic access across multiple systems, the standard provides clear integration paths.
Registry Provider Workflow
- Register with an EDRS-compliant provider using your bar credentials
- Upload documents through secure, encrypted channels
- Apply digital attestation with your PKI certificate
- Manage client access permissions and emergency contacts
- Track version history and receive change notifications
API Access for Law Firms
- RESTful APIs with OAuth 2.0 authentication
- Batch registration for high-volume practices
- Webhook notifications for document status changes
- Integration with practice management systems (Clio, MyCase, etc.)
- Standardized JSON/XML schemas for all document types
Education
CLE Resources
UEDRA is developing continuing legal education materials to help attorneys understand the EDRS standard, its implications for estate planning practice, and how to advise clients on document registration.
EDRS Overview for Estate Planners
A comprehensive introduction to the Estate Document Registry Standard, covering architecture, security, and attestation workflows.
Digital Attestation in Practice
Practical guidance on implementing PKI-based attestation in your estate planning workflow, including setup and best practices.
Ethics of Document Registration
Ethical considerations for attorneys advising clients on estate document registration, including duties of competence and confidentiality.
Shape the Future of Estate Planning
Join the UEDRA Standards Council to contribute to the development of the EDRS standard, participate in public comment periods, and help define the attestation frameworks that will protect your clients for decades to come.