⚠️ 70% of Americans die without a will — don’t leave your family’s future to chance
Protect Everything You've Spent
a Lifetime Building
Without an estate plan, the state decides who gets your assets, courts control who raises your children, and your family may spend months and thousands of dollars untangling what you left behind.
70%
of Americans have no will or estate plan
$25,000+
average probate cost on a $500K estate
18 months
average time for probate to resolve
100%
of estates are avoidable with planning
The 5 Documents Every Estate Plan Needs
Click each document to learn exactly what it does, what happens without it, and what it costs to get in place.
Last Will & Testament
Your will directs who gets what when you're gone. Without one, the state decides.
- Names beneficiaries for your assets, including property, investments, and personal items
- Appoints a guardian for minor children — critical if you have young kids
- Designates an executor to carry out your wishes
- Can be updated anytime as life circumstances change
- Does NOT avoid probate (that's what a trust does)
Without a will, your estate enters intestacy — state law decides who gets what. That often means a spouse doesn't get everything, or assets go to estranged relatives.
Typically $300–$1,500 with an attorney; DIY options exist but carry risk.
Living Trust
A revocable living trust transfers assets to your heirs without probate — privately and quickly.
- Assets held in trust pass directly to heirs — no court, no delays
- Avoids probate (which can take 1–2 years and cost 3–7% of estate value)
- Remains private — unlike a will, which becomes public record
- You remain in control while living; successor trustee takes over after death or incapacity
- Can be revoked or modified anytime while you're competent
Probate fees on a $500,000 estate can exceed $25,000. A trust prevents that entirely.
Typically $1,500–$3,500 for a full trust package with an estate attorney.
Financial Power of Attorney
Designates someone you trust to handle your finances if you become unable to.
- Allows a trusted agent to pay bills, manage investments, file taxes on your behalf
- Can be 'durable' — remaining valid even if you become incapacitated
- Can be limited (specific tasks) or general (full financial authority)
- Without one, family may need a court-appointed conservator — costly and slow
If you become incapacitated without a POA, your family must go to court to gain authority over your accounts — a process that takes months and thousands of dollars.
Often included in a comprehensive estate plan ($100–$500 standalone).
Advance Healthcare Directive
Your medical wishes on paper — so family doesn't have to make impossible decisions.
- Specifies life-sustaining treatment preferences (feeding tubes, ventilators, CPR)
- Designates a healthcare proxy to speak for you when you cannot
- Covers organ donation preferences
- Prevents family conflict during the most stressful moments
- Required for hospitals to follow your wishes — verbal statements don't count
Without this document, doctors default to maximum intervention — even if that's not what you'd want. Family members may disagree on what to do, leading to painful conflict.
Often free through hospitals; $100–$300 with an attorney.
Beneficiary Designations
Your 401(k), IRA, and life insurance pass by beneficiary — NOT through your will.
- Retirement accounts (401k, IRA, Roth IRA) pass directly to named beneficiaries
- Life insurance proceeds go to the named beneficiary regardless of will instructions
- Outdated beneficiaries (ex-spouses, deceased relatives) are a major problem
- Must be updated after major life events: divorce, death of a beneficiary, new children
- Per stirpes vs. per capita designation matters significantly
Outdated beneficiary designations are one of the most common and costly estate planning mistakes. An ex-spouse can legally inherit your 401(k) if they're still named.
Free — update directly with your plan administrator or insurance company.
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Probate court is public, slow, and expensive. Here’s what your family could face:
Estate Value
Typical Probate Cost
Average Time
$250,000
$7,500 – $17,500
12–18 months
$500,000
$15,000 – $35,000
12–24 months
$1,000,000
$30,000 – $70,000
18–36 months
A proper estate plan typically costs $2,000–$4,000.
That’s less than one month of probate legal fees — and it protects your family forever.
What Happens When Families Don't Plan
💔
The Contested Will
A widower left no will. His adult children from a first marriage and his second wife each claimed different assets. The legal battle lasted 3 years and consumed 40% of the estate.
🏠
The Family Home
A couple owned their home jointly, but when both died without a trust, probate forced their children to sell the home quickly — at below-market value — to pay court costs.
⚠️
The Outdated Beneficiary
A divorced man forgot to update his 401(k) beneficiary. Despite a new will naming his children, his ex-wife legally received the entire $340,000 retirement account.
How We Help You Get Protected
Simple. Straightforward. No legal jargon.
Free Consultation
We learn about your family, assets, and goals — no pressure, no cost.
Personalized Plan
We identify the exact documents you need and explain each one in plain English.
Expert Coordination
We connect you with estate planning attorneys or help review existing documents.
Ongoing Review
Life changes. We help you update your plan as your family and assets evolve.
Free Consultation — No Obligation
Book Your Free Estate Planning Consultation
In 30 minutes, we’ll identify every gap in your current plan and show you exactly what you need to protect your family.