Setting Delivery for a Client Vault (For Advisors)

This article explains how advisors can set delivery rules for a client’s vault. Delivery creates a final, legally protected version of the vault that cannot be edited after it is sent. Use this guide when preparing a client’s documents for final release to their designated recipients.

IronClad Family lets you designate different recipients for different types of information. Each vault is encrypted, and delivery can occur on a specific date or based on a trigger such as death or incapacitation of the vault owner.

Why Delivered Vaults Cannot Be Edited

Once a vault is delivered, it becomes a legal snapshot in time. Locking the vault after delivery protects:

• the integrity of your client’s final instructions and documents
• against any changes to important items such as wills or directives after delivery
• the audit trail, preserving exactly what was delivered and when

Advisors and clients can freely edit any vault until delivery. After delivery, the vault becomes permanently read-only. If clients want updated documents delivered later, simply create a new vault and schedule delivery for that updated version.

Sharing vs. Delivering a Vault

Sharing (before delivery):

• Recipients can preview the vault
• You choose whether they see filenames only or full contents
• You can continue editing the vault
• Sharing can be revoked at any time

Delivery (final + locked): Sends a final, uneditable version of the vault. This is when the vault becomes a permanent record of your client’s wishes.

Advisor Best Practices Before Delivering a Vault

These recommendations help ensure you and your client deliver the right information to the right people at the right time:

• Review documents with your client to ensure each file is the most recent version available.
• Use separate vaults for unrelated categories (e.g., “Estate Planning,” “Insurance,” “Financial Accounts”).
• Confirm every recipient—spouses, children, business partners—based on the delivery trigger.
• Use the Preview Only option if you want recipients to see file names without exposing sensitive content before delivery.
• Remind your client: delivered vaults cannot be changed for legal reasons.
• Create a new vault anytime your client updates a will, policy, or major instruction.

Pre-Delivery Checklist

• ✔ All documents uploaded and verified with the client
• ✔ Recipients selected and email addresses confirmed
• ✔ Delivery method chosen (date, event trigger, or manual)
• ✔ Preview settings configured correctly
• ✔ Client understands vault will be locked after delivery

Step 1 — Open the Vaults Tab

• Go to the Vaults tab in your advisor dashboard.

Step 2 — Select or Create a Client Vault

• Open an existing vault or click Create Vault to set up a new one.
• You will see three sections: Delivery Conditions, Details, and Activity.

Delivery Conditions

Select Delivery Conditions to choose how and when the vault will be delivered.

You may deliver a vault:

• Upon Death or Incapacitation of the vault owner
• On a specific Date
• Manually via Deliver Now

Important: Once delivered, a vault cannot be edited for legal and security reasons.

Assigning Recipients

• Open the Recipients tab to select who receives the vault.
• Preview Only hides contents until final delivery.

Details

The Details section shows the vault name, its creation date, and all included content. Review this before completing delivery.

Activity

The Activity panel shows all recent changes to the vault. This audit trail helps verify that all documents are correct before delivery.

What Recipients See After Delivery

Understanding the recipient experience helps advisors set expectations and avoid confusion.

• Before delivery (if shared): Recipients may see only filenames or full content, depending on your Preview settings.
• Upon delivery: They receive a secure, read-only version of the vault.
• No editing or commenting: Delivered content is locked to preserve legal authenticity.
• Recipients always see timestamps so they know exactly when the vault was delivered.

Post-Delivery Checklist

• ✔ Confirm client understands the vault is now locked
• ✔ Verify all intended recipients received access
• ✔ Remind client they can create new vaults for future updates
• ✔ Save delivery in your client notes or CRM

Related Articles

•  Adding Recipients to Your Client's Vaults