Set up a new client in Luminary

Last updated: May 8, 2026

This two-step process allows you to create a complete client profile and immediately begin working on deliverables.

Step 1: Add Client Details

From the main Clients tab, click "Add Client" to begin the setup process.

Required Information:

  • Primary Individual: First name, last name, and state (required fields)

Optional Settings:

  • Secondary Individual: Add spouse or partner details (best to complete up-front if it's a two client household)

  • Default death order: Select which client (primary or secondary) who will be modeled

  • Data Link: Connect to portfolio management integrations if available (this can always be done later from the People tab)

It's best to link the client upfront so that integration import options appear in step 2 when creating your first deliverable.

Step 2: Select Your Deliverable

Once initial client details are saved, you'll immediately move to the deliverable selection screen. Please note – for any deliverable options that have the green tag "AI-powered ✨", our full AI data extraction process will be run.

Build Full Client Profile (15 minutes)

  • Purpose: Create individuals, organizations, entities, and sub-trusts

  • Best for: Comprehensive client onboarding when you have extensive client information

  • Process: Upload client documents (trusts, wills, operating agreements, LLC agreements) and let Luminary AI build out the complete profile

  • AI-Powered: Automatically identifies people, organizations, and entities from documents for review

    • Open the notification inbox to review the newly identified data

    • Review suggested individuals and organizations from the People tab

    • Review suggested entities from the Estate tab

If the Addepar integration is enabled, you can import entities in bulk first and then upload documents. You'll be guided from there on how to map documents to the newly created entities to trigger AI suggestions for the entity details (trustees, beneficiaries, etc). Select "Build full client profile" or "Build balance sheet" to get started.

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Estate360

  • Purpose: Upload documents to generate a comprehensive estate overview

  • Best for: Delivering a professional estate summary for clients who do not require advanced modeling

  • Process: Upload a client's T&E documents for AI-powered summarization

  • AI-Powered: Generates white labeled, professional estate summary

Read more about our Estate360 here:

📄 What is Estate360?

Create Document Summaries (5 minutes)

  • Purpose: Upload a document to generate a detailed summary

  • Best for: Quick document analysis and summarization

  • Process: Upload any client document for AI-powered summarization

  • AI-Powered: Generates comprehensive document summaries using Luminary's detailed templates

Model a Single Strategy (5 minutes)

  • Purpose: Calculate the impact of gifts, GRATs, CRTs, and CLTs

  • Best for: Prospects or clients who want high-level projections

  • Process: Input strategy parameters for immediate impact calculations

Use the hypothetical waterfall feature for more holistic scenario modeling based on the full financial profile.

Create Entity Overviews (10 minutes)

  • Purpose: Create a visual overview of trusts and business entities

  • Best for: Showing details and visuals for complex entity structures

  • Process: Confirm entity details and dispositions to view the diagram

  • AI-Powered: Automated entity suggestions and underlying entail details including dispositions

    • Review individual suggested entities from the Entities tab

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    • Review entity details by clicking into individual entities after confirming suggestions

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Document Upload Best Practices

Supported File Types: PDF, Word (.docx), CSV, and Excel files

Best Document Types for AI Analysis:

  • Trust documents

  • Wills

  • Operating agreements

  • LLC agreements

  • Other common estate planning documents

Troubleshooting Document Issues:

  • Ensure files can be opened on your computer (no corruption)

  • Remove password protection from all files

  • Separate combined documents (don't combine will, trust, and POA in one PDF)

  • Note: Diagrams and spreadsheets are supported but may have less accurate results

After Client Setup

Create Additional Deliverables

At any point, you can create new deliverables directly from the Overview tab:

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Adding More Information Manually

Once your client is created, you can continue building their profile:

  • People Tab: Add children, beneficiaries, trustees, and other family members

  • Entities Tab: Create trusts, LLCs, directly held personal/joint accounts, and other planning vehicles

  • Documents Tab: Upload and organize client documents

Luminary Tips for Success

Starting Strategy: Start with the essential information needed to create your client's profile—such as your client's first name, last name, and state of residence. From there, Luminary’s AI-powered tools help you build comprehensive profiles quickly and efficiently. By extracting key details from documents—like beneficiaries, trustees, and dispositions—AI reduces the need for manual data entry, allowing you to populate records in just a few clicks.

Iterative Approach: You can always return to add more details, create additional entities, or run new AI analyses as client information evolves.