20 | Acquisition International, January 2025 Nov24159 Best Estate Document Preparation Service 2025 – USA ccording to a 2024 survey by Caring.com, two-thirds of Americans haven’t created an estate plan, and among those who don’t have one, 40 percent believe they don’t have enough assets to warrant making one. It’s a common misconception, especially among low- and middleincome individuals and families. In fact, nearly everyone needs an estate plan. Most own meaningful assets, whether a home, family heirloom, or other valuable possession. Many are raising children. And most care about causes that could benefit from their generosity. That is where LegacyWise LLC makes a difference—offering a simpler and more affordable way for more people to complete their estate plans. LegacyWise works with churches, schools, and ministries to host live workshops—whether in-person or online—that walk people step-bystep through creating their own estate plans. LegacyWise’s services also can be customized as an employee benefit, providing employers with a means to reinvest in their workforces. “It matters who raises our kids and how our money is spent after we are gone,” says Fred Potter, an attorney and entrepreneur who founded LegacyWise in 2016. “Our goals are to see 1 million children protected through thoughtful and caring guardianship planning and $1 billion given nationwide through deferred gifts to churches, charities, and schools.” LegacyWise invested millions of dollars developing proprietary software that empowers people to document their estate plans from start to finish in about a day—and for less than one-third the cost of traditional services. The organization’s system features easy-to-understand instructions and terminology in English or Spanish, numerous automated tools, and live workshops guided by LegacyWise’s caring staff. Participants can then prepare their own wills and trusts, as well as powers of attorney for health care, financial, and property matters. Most LegacyWise documents have been written using plain language tools to improve user understandability and control throughout the LegacyWise process. Hosting churches, schools, and ministries also stand to benefit: Along with helping their people, they receive 20 percent of the document fees collected—and often get named as beneficiaries when those people decide which charitable causes they want their estates to support. By reimagining the entire estate planning process, LegacyWise empowers people to create and customize estate documents that were once only possible through expensive legal services, Potter notes. LegacyWise provides peace of mind and helps avoid family conflicts that arise when someone dies without clearly stating their wishes and preferences, Potter says, adding it also helps “avoid the costs, delays, and inevitable confusion of probate court processes after death.” A Shepherding the process Even though do-it-yourself estate planning software and services have been around for more than 30 years, many people still lack finalized documents. Those who try self-directed solutions often hit an obstacle and give up, Potter says. LegacyWise’s system removes these obstacles. Its pre-workshop questionnaires allow participants to think through their circumstances and make decisions about what they want. Workshops deliver real-time information and insights, enabling participants to complete documents based on their wishes. Participants then schedule their document-signing in a manner required by their state’s law (typically with witnesses and a notary present). LegacyWise offers supplemental resources and guidance on post-execution steps, including trust funding, to help users complete all required tasks. Since completing its pilot phase in early 2024, LegacyWise already has expanded to seven states, and is well on its way to nationwide operation. The organization also has begun mobilizing field service facilitators for all states where it is active. From there, LegacyWise encourages participants to use DocuCareSM, LegacyWise’s secure, affordable digital and physical storage option that protects the participant’s original estate documents and ensures ongoing access to them from anywhere at any time. DocuCareSM subscribers also gain lifetime access to LegacyWise systems to update their documents at no additional cost. Trusted expertise LegacyWise isn’t a law firm, so the organization refers participants to trusted attorneys when tax advice, unique guidance, or other legal assistance is required. Attorney expertise has extensively shaped LegacyWise’s proprietary approach, though. Many licensed attorneys helped develop the templates for LegacyWise’s estate documents that conform to state laws and requirements. Potter, LegacyWise’s Managing Member, exemplifies this expertise. He is an honors graduate of Harvard College, Harvard Business School (MBA), and Michigan Law (JD). In his legal practice, he facilitated more than $3.5 billion in transactions as a merger-and-acquisitions attorney. LegacyWise’s Advisory Council is led by distinguished attorneys, including Chairwoman Mary K. McWilliams, a partner in a Chicago-based law firm; university president Dr. Chip Pollard; and law professor Richard Bowser, who has taught and written extensively about wills and estates. An affordable approach Even with the sizable investments of money and expertise, LegacyWise’s costs still run a fraction of those in the marketplace. True to its commitment to see as many people complete documents as possible, LegacyWise’s suggested pricing is on a sliding scale based upon the participant’s income. “If that’s still too high, participants can just name their own price,” Potter says. “Our goal is to serve participants well regardless of their ability to pay.” LegacyWise also offers a one-year, 100-percent money-back satisfaction guarantee. Visit LegacyWise.org to register and view upcoming live, in-person, or online workshops. Contact: Fred Potter Company: LegacyWise LLC Website: www.LegacyWise.org Phone: 1.855.366.6771 (toll-free in the United States) Email: [email protected]
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