Secure Your Family's Future with Legacy by Signature Signings
Simple, Secure Estate Planning — For Everyone
Protect What Matters Most
Planning for the future doesn’t have to be complicated. Legacy by Signature Signings offers a modern, accessible approach to estate planning that puts control back in your hands. Whether you’re looking to protect your family, designate guardianship, or ensure your assets are handled according to your wishes, we make it easy to create a legally binding Living Trust or Will in just minutes.
Our process removes the guesswork. No expensive legal fees. No overwhelming forms. Just a secure, guided experience that helps you get your affairs in order with confidence and clarity.
What Our Legacy Service Includes
We understand that planning your legacy can feel overwhelming. Our comprehensive Estate Planning process is designed to provide you with everything you need to give yourself the peace of mind of knowing that your wishes will be honored. Here’s what you can expect:
Mini Estate Plan — $199 for Individuals, $299 for Couples*
Our fastest, most affordable option for essential protection. Includes a Health Care Directive and a Power of Attorney. This is a great choice for those who want to ensure someone they trust can make decisions on their behalf if needed. It only takes just 10 minutes to complete both documents.
Will-Based Estate Plans — Starting at $495
Create a customized Last Will and Testament in 15-20 minutes. Every document package is built with attorney-approved legal templates specific to your state of residence. A Power of Attorney, and Health Care Directive are included ($299 value!)
Trust-Based Estate Plans — Starting at $1,495
Build a comprehensive estate plan with an Individual or Joint Revocable Living Trust. All key supporting documents including your Certificate of Trust, a Pour Over Will, Quitclaim Deed, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Directive — all tailored to your state’s legal requirements.
Included with Every Plan:
- Personalized online guide to maintaining your plan
- Financial Power of Attorney (state-specific)
- Health Care Directive
- Secure digital storage and access
- Shareable plan access for family and advisors
- One-on-one support when needed
Additional Services:
- Mobile Notary Services — Starting at $125
- Additional Quitclaim Deeds — $300
- Estate Planning Portfolio Binder — $40
- Ask about joining our team of consultants
Not sure what you need? Take the quiz or book a call to talk it through.
- One-on-one support to help you complete the process
- Guided questionnaire — no legal knowledge required
- Secure digital document generation and storage
- Ongoing access and easy updates
- Scheduling for signing and notarization of your Estate Planning Documents.
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Will vs. Trust Quiz
Find the Right Estate Plan for You
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What’s the difference between a will and a living trust?
Both a will and a living trust are legal tools used to outline how your assets should be distributed after you pass away—but they operate very differently.
✅ Will
Goes into effect after you die
Must go through probate court, which can be time-consuming and costly
Becomes public record once filed with the court
Allows you to name guardians for minor children
Simpler and less expensive to set up initially, but can result in higher costs and delays later
✅ Living Trust
Becomes effective immediately upon creation and funding
Allows your assets to be distributed privately and without probate
Can help manage your affairs during your lifetime if you become incapacitated
Typically more complex and costly to set up, but saves time, money, and stress for your loved ones in the long run
Keeps your affairs private and out of court
In short:
A will is better than nothing—but a living trust offers more control, privacy, and protection, especially if you want to avoid probate and streamline the process for your loved ones.
What is the average cost of estate planning?
The cost of estate planning can vary widely depending on your needs, the complexity of your assets, and whether you use an attorney, an online platform, or a combination of both.
Here’s a general breakdown of average estate planning costs:
💼 Traditional Attorney-Based Estate Planning
Basic Will Package: $300 – $1,000+
Living Trust Package: $2,000 – $5,000+
Comprehensive Estate Plan (Trust, Will, POA, Healthcare Directive): $3,000 – $7,000+
Fees may increase with complexity, multiple properties, blended families, or business ownership
💻 Online or Hybrid Estate Planning Services
Basic Plans: $150 – $500
Trust-Based Plans: $500 – $2,000
Attorney-Reviewed Plans (like Legacy by Signature Signings): often fall between $499 – $1,499, offering a balance of affordability, customization, and legal compliance
At Legacy by Signature Signings, we offer attorney-reviewed estate planning packages at a fraction of traditional legal costs—without sacrificing quality or peace of mind.
Our goal is to make estate planning simple, affordable, and accessible for everyday families—because protecting your legacy shouldn’t break the bank.
Can I do this without a lawyer?
Yes. Legacy by Signature Signings offers affordable, flat-rate packages—including a full trust-based plan starting at $1,495. No hourly attorney fees, no surprises.
What is a power of attorney and do I need one?
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust—known as your agent or attorney-in-fact—to make decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so.
There are different types of POAs, but the two most common in estate planning are:
🧾 Durable Financial Power of Attorney
Gives your agent the authority to manage your financial affairs, such as:
Paying bills
Managing bank accounts and investments
Filing taxes
Handling property or business matters
❤️ Healthcare Power of Attorney
Authorizes your agent to make medical decisions for you if you’re incapacitated, including:
Treatment choices
Surgery approvals
End-of-life care decisions
Do I Need a Power of Attorney?
Yes—every adult should have both a financial and healthcare power of attorney.
Without one, if you become incapacitated due to illness, injury, or aging, your loved ones may need to go through a costly and time-consuming court process just to gain the authority to help you.
A POA ensures your wishes are honored, and someone you trust—not the courts—is in charge of your affairs if you can’t speak for yourself.
How can I make sure my family avoids probate?
Probate is the legal process used to validate a will, pay debts, and distribute assets after someone passes away. It’s often slow, expensive, and public—which is why many families aim to avoid it altogether.
Here are the most effective ways to help your family avoid probate:
✅ 1. Create a Living Trust
A revocable living trust is the most powerful tool for avoiding probate. When you transfer your assets into the trust during your lifetime, they can be managed and distributed privately and efficiently without going through court.
✅ 2. Properly Fund Your Trust
Simply creating a trust isn’t enough—you must also transfer ownership of your assets (like real estate, bank accounts, investments, etc.) into the trust. This step is called “funding the trust” and is critical for avoiding probate.
✅ 3. Use Beneficiary Designations
For certain assets like retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and some bank accounts, you can name beneficiaries directly. These assets will pass outside of probate as long as the designations are kept up to date.
✅ 4. Joint Ownership with Right of Survivorship
Owning property jointly with someone else (like a spouse) may allow it to pass automatically to the surviving owner. However, this approach has limitations and may not work well for long-term estate planning.
✅ 5. Small Estate Affidavits (State-Specific)
Some states allow simplified procedures for estates below a certain value. While not a substitute for a trust, it may help avoid full probate in limited situations.
The best way to avoid probate?
Create a well-funded living trust, update your beneficiary designations, and review your plan regularly. At Legacy by Signature Signings, we help make this process simple and affordable—so your loved ones can avoid court, conflict, and delays.
Should I get a Will or a Trust?
The right choice depends on your personal goals, the value and complexity of your assets, and how much control you want over what happens when you’re gone.
✅ You may want a Will if:
You have a small estate and minimal assets
You want to name guardians for minor children
You’re looking for a simple, low-cost option
You’re okay with your estate going through probate, a public and sometimes lengthy court process
✅ You may want a Living Trust if:
You want to avoid probate and keep your affairs private
You own real estate, multiple properties, or assets in more than one state
You want to plan for incapacity—a trust allows your successor trustee to step in without court involvement
You’d like to control how and when your assets are distributed (e.g., staggered inheritance for children)
You want to minimize costs and delays for your loved ones after your passing
Still not sure?
At Legacy by Signature Signings, we offer a 2-minute quiz and a complimentary consultation to help you decide which option is best for your situation.
You don’t need to figure it all out on your own—we’re here to help guide you every step of the way.
Should I get a Joint Trust or Individual Trusts?
The decision between a joint trust and an individual trust depends on your marital status, the nature of your assets, and your long-term estate planning goals.
👫 Joint Trust (for married couples)
A joint living trust allows both spouses to place their assets into a single, shared trust. It’s often ideal when:
You share most assets jointly
You have a harmonized estate plan and want everything to go to the surviving spouse
You want a simplified process with one unified trust to manage
Pros:
Simplifies asset management and administration
Avoids probate on both spouses’ deaths
Efficient for blended or unified estates
Cons:
Can be more complicated if separate assets or children from previous relationships are involved
Less flexibility if individual wishes differ significantly
🙋♂️🙋♀️ Individual Trust
Each person creates their own trust—ideal when:
You have separate property (like an inheritance or assets owned before marriage)
You want more control over what happens to your portion of the estate
You’re in a blended family and want to protect assets for your own children or beneficiaries
Pros:
Greater control and customization
Ideal for asset protection and blended family dynamics
Cons:
Slightly more complex to manage
Each trust must be funded and maintained separately
Which One Is Right for You?
If you and your spouse share most of your assets and have aligned estate goals, a joint trust may be more efficient.
If your financial lives are more separate or you want distinct control, individual trusts offer greater flexibility.
At Legacy by Signature Signings, we’ll help you decide which structure works best for your family—and make the process simple, clear, and affordable.
Do I need a Living Will, Health Care Directive, or Power of Attorney?
Yes—every adult should have all three of these essential documents as part of a comprehensive estate plan. While they may seem similar, each plays a unique role in protecting your wishes if you’re ever unable to speak or act for yourself.
❤️ Living Will
Also known as an Advance Directive, this document outlines your specific wishes for end-of-life care, such as:
Life support decisions
Resuscitation preferences (DNR)
Pain management
It tells doctors and your loved ones what you want—so they’re not forced to guess during a crisis.
🩺 Healthcare Directive
This appoints someone you trust (a Healthcare Power of Attorney) to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unconscious or incapacitated.
It complements your living will by ensuring someone can speak for you when you cannot.
💼 Durable Power of Attorney (Financial)
This allows someone you choose to manage your financial affairs if you’re unable to do so. This may include:
Paying bills
Managing investments
Handling property or legal matters
It helps avoid court involvement and ensures your affairs stay in trusted hands.
Why You Need All Three:
Having just one or two is not enough—they work together to give you peace of mind and protect your family from stressful, costly decisions during a medical emergency or incapacitation.
At Legacy by Signature Signings, we include all of these in our Mini Estate Plans and Living Trust Bundles—making it easy to get the protection you need, affordably and legally.
What is a “Pour Over Will” and why do I need one?
A pour-over will is a special type of will designed to work with your living trust. Its main job is to make sure that any assets you did not transfer into your trust during your lifetime are “poured over” into the trust after you pass away.
Why Is It Important?
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to forget to transfer certain assets into your trust—or you may acquire new property later in life that never gets titled in the trust’s name. Without a pour-over will:
Those assets could be subject to probate, defeating the purpose of having a trust.
They might be distributed according to state intestacy laws, not your wishes.
What a Pour-Over Will Does:
✅ Acts as a safety net for assets not titled in your trust
✅ Ensures all assets are eventually governed by your trust terms
✅ Names a guardian for minor children, if applicable
✅ Keeps your estate plan coordinated and complete
In Summary:
Even if you have a living trust, you still need a pour-over will to catch any missed assets and direct them into your trust—so everything is distributed according to your plan. It’s a simple, powerful backup that ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
At Legacy by Signature Signings, we include a pour-over will as part of every Living Trust Bundle—because your legacy deserves full protection.
How do I fund a Trust and what should I include?
Funding a trust refers to the process of transferring ownership of your assets into the name of your trust. This step is essential to ensure your estate plan functions as intended and to help your loved ones avoid the probate process—which can be both costly and time-consuming.
To properly fund your trust, you should retitle or assign ownership of eligible assets to your trust. This often includes:
Real estate (including mortgaged property)
Bank and savings accounts
Investment and brokerage accounts
Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
Interests in closely held corporations, partnerships, and LLCs
Additionally, you may need to update beneficiary designations on certain accounts to align with your overall estate plan.
Keep in mind that not all assets should be transferred into a trust. Some assets—such as retirement accounts (like IRAs and 401(k)s), health savings accounts, and certain life insurance policies—are typically better handled through beneficiary designations rather than being retitled in the name of your trust.
Only those assets that you wish to be administered and distributed according to the terms of your trust should be transferred into it. For the best results, funding your trust as completely as possible during your lifetime ensures your plan works smoothly and protects your estate from unnecessary legal delays.
What happens if I don’t have an estate plan?
If you pass away without an estate plan in place, state law will determine what happens to your assets, your children, and your medical or financial decisions—often with outcomes you may not have intended.
Here’s what that can mean:
Probate Court Gets Involved: Your estate will likely go through probate, a public, court-supervised process that can take months (or even years), create unnecessary stress, and incur substantial legal fees.
The State Decides Who Inherits Your Property: Without a will or trust, your assets will be distributed according to your state’s intestacy laws—which may not reflect your wishes. Loved ones, stepchildren, or charitable causes you intended to benefit could be left out entirely.
No Say Over Medical or Financial Decisions: If you become incapacitated and haven’t created powers of attorney or a healthcare directive, the court may appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf—and it might not be the person you would have chosen.
Guardianship Issues for Minor Children: If you have children under 18 and no legal guardianship instructions, a judge will decide who cares for them, regardless of family dynamics or personal wishes.
In short, not having an estate plan means giving up control—and potentially placing a burden on your loved ones at an already difficult time. Creating an estate plan ensures your wishes are honored, your family is protected, and your legacy is preserved.
Can I change my plan after it’s created?
Yes — absolutely.
Your estate plan should grow and change as your life does. Major life events like marriage, divorce, having children, buying property, or changes in health or finances may all require updates to your plan.
What Can Be Changed?
With a revocable living trust, you can:
Add or remove assets
Change beneficiaries
Update your trustee or executor
Adjust how and when assets are distributed
Modify your healthcare or financial power of attorney
Wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives can also be revised or replaced at any time—as long as you are mentally competent to do so.
How Often Should I Review My Plan?
We recommend reviewing your estate plan:
Every 3–5 years, or
After any major life event (marriage, divorce, birth, move, etc.)
At Legacy by Signature Signings, we make it simple to update your documents—so your estate plan always reflects your current wishes and circumstances.
Your legacy should be flexible, not final. We’re here to help you keep it that way.
Can I include digital assets like crypto or social media accounts?
Yes — digital assets can and should be included in your estate plan. As our lives become more digital, it’s important to protect online property just like physical property.
What Are Digital Assets?
Digital assets include a wide range of online and electronic items such as:
💻 Email accounts
📱 Social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
💾 Cloud storage files (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud)
🎮 Online subscriptions or rewards points (Netflix, airline miles, Amazon, etc.)
🪙 Cryptocurrency wallets and NFTs
🌐 Domain names or websites
🧾 Online financial accounts (PayPal, Venmo, trading platforms, etc.)
Why Include Them in Your Estate Plan?
Without clear instructions, your loved ones may struggle to access or manage your digital presence—or lose valuable assets like cryptocurrency altogether.
A comprehensive estate plan should:
Identify your digital assets
Provide access details (securely, through a password manager or instructions)
Name someone to manage or transfer them
Include your wishes for deletion, memorialization, or ownership transfer
How We Help at Legacy by Signature Signings
Our estate plans can include a Digital Asset Inventory and guidance for naming a Digital Executor—so your online life is protected alongside your physical one.
In today’s world, digital assets are real assets. Let’s make sure they’re not overlooked.
Do I really need an estate plan if I’m not rich?
Yes — estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy.
It’s about protecting the people you love, making your wishes known, and avoiding unnecessary legal complications—regardless of how much you own.
Here’s why estate planning still matters:
🏡 You have something to protect
Whether it’s your home, bank account, vehicle, business, or personal belongings—an estate plan ensures everything goes where you want it to, not where the state decides.
👨👩👧 You want to protect your family
Estate planning helps your loved ones avoid the cost, delay, and stress of probate. It also allows you to name guardians for your children and make your healthcare wishes known in advance.
🧾 You want control over medical and financial decisions
Without powers of attorney and healthcare directives, the court could appoint someone you didn’t choose to make critical decisions if you’re ever incapacitated.
💰 You want to avoid unnecessary costs
Probate fees, legal battles, and state-imposed processes can cost far more than simply creating a clear, affordable plan in advance.
Bottom line:
Estate planning isn’t about how much you have — it’s about how much you care.
It’s for anyone who wants to make life easier for their loved ones and ensure their voice is heard.
At Legacy by Signature Signings, we specialize in affordable, attorney-reviewed estate plans that are built for real families—not just the wealthy few.
What happens if I die without an estate plan?
If you pass away without an estate plan—also known as dying “intestate”—you lose control over who receives your assets, who cares for your children, and how important decisions are made. Instead, state laws and the probate court take over.
Here’s what that could mean:
⚖️ The Court Decides Who Inherits Your Assets
Without a will or trust, your estate will go through probate—a public legal process that can take months or even years. The court will distribute your assets based on state intestacy laws, which often prioritize:
Spouses
Children
Parents
Siblings
This may exclude stepchildren, partners, or close friends you wanted to include—and include people you didn’t intend to benefit.
🧒 A Judge Decides Who Raises Your Children
If you have minor children and no legal guardianship instructions, a judge will choose who raises them. This decision may not align with your values, your child’s needs, or your family dynamics.
💼 No One Can Make Financial or Medical Decisions for You (if you’re incapacitated)
Without powers of attorney in place, your loved ones may have to petition the court just to:
Pay your bills
Access bank accounts
Make healthcare decisions
This creates delays, stress, and potential conflict.
In Short:
Dying without an estate plan means giving up your voice—and possibly putting your loved ones through unnecessary pain, cost, and legal battles.
At Legacy by Signature Signings, we make estate planning simple, affordable, and tailored to your life—so you can leave a legacy of clarity, not confusion.
Who will take care of my children or pets?
If something unexpected happens to you, the question of who will care for your children or pets becomes a critical part of your estate plan.
Without proper legal planning, these important decisions could be left up to a judge—and the outcome may not reflect your wishes.
👶 For Minor Children:
You can (and should) name a legal guardian in your will or estate plan. This person will step in to care for your children if you pass away or become incapacitated before they turn 18.
By choosing a guardian:
You avoid court-appointed decisions
You ensure your children are raised by someone who shares your values
You can provide instructions about their schooling, religion, or lifestyle
If no guardian is named, the court will choose someone based on its own judgment—which may not be who you would have chosen.
🐾 For Pets:
Pets are legally considered property, which means they do not automatically go to someone you trust unless you plan ahead.
You can:
Name a pet guardian in your will or trust
Leave funds for their care
Include detailed instructions for their health, diet, and routines
Some people even create pet trusts to ensure their furry family members are protected and cared for exactly as they would want.
In Summary:
You know your loved ones best—including your children and pets. Estate planning gives you the power to choose who cares for them, how they’re raised or treated, and ensures they’re not left in limbo during a difficult time.
At Legacy by Signature Signings, we make sure your plan reflects your heart, not just your assets.
Can I update my estate plan later?
Yes — you can (and should) update your estate plan as life changes.
Estate planning is not a one-time event. It’s a living set of documents that should grow and evolve with you.
When Should I Update My Estate Plan?
You should review and possibly revise your estate plan any time you experience a major life event, such as:
💍 Marriage or divorce
👶 Birth or adoption of a child
🏡 Buying or selling a home
💼 Changes in your job, finances, or retirement plans
💔 Death of a loved one or beneficiary
✍️ Changing your mind about trustees, executors, guardians, or beneficiaries
Even if your life seems stable, we recommend reviewing your plan every 3–5 years to make sure it still reflects your wishes and current laws.
How We Help
At Legacy by Signature Signings, we make updating your plan simple and affordable. Whether you created your documents with us or somewhere else, we can help you make changes confidently—so your estate plan always stays current and effective.
Your life changes. Your legacy should keep up.
What do I need to get started?
Getting started with your estate plan is simpler than you might think — and at Legacy by Signature Signings, we guide you every step of the way.
Here’s what you’ll typically need to begin:
✅ Basic Personal Information
Full legal names and birthdates (you and your spouse/partner, if applicable)
Contact details
Marital status
✅ List of Your Beneficiaries
Names of those you want to inherit your assets (family, friends, charities)
Ages and relationship to you
Any special instructions (e.g., age-based distributions, guardianship preferences)
✅ List of Your Assets
Real estate (homes, land, rental properties)
Bank and savings accounts
Retirement accounts and investments
Vehicles, business interests, personal property
Digital assets (e.g., cryptocurrency, online accounts)
✅ Key Decision-Makers
Trustee(s) to manage your trust
Executor for your will
Guardians for minor children
Agents for healthcare and financial power of attorney
✅ Any Existing Legal Documents (if applicable)
Previous wills or trusts
Powers of attorney or healthcare directives
Property deeds or business agreements
That’s it!
Once you have these details, we’ll walk you through the rest. Whether you’re starting fresh or updating an existing plan, Legacy by Signature Signings makes the process easy, affordable, and personalized to fit your needs.
Protecting your legacy starts with one simple step — let’s take it together.
What is PROBATE and how do I avoid it?
Probate is the legal process that takes place after someone passes away. It involves validating their will (if they have one), identifying assets, paying debts, and distributing what’s left to heirs—all under the supervision of the court.
Why Do People Want to Avoid Probate?
Because probate is often:
⏳ Time-consuming — It can take months or even years to settle an estate
💸 Expensive — Court fees, legal costs, and executor fees can significantly reduce what’s left for your loved ones
🧾 Public — Probate records are part of the public record, meaning your financial and personal affairs become visible to anyone
😣 Stressful for families — It can cause unnecessary delays and even conflict during an already difficult time
How Can I Avoid Probate?
The best way to avoid probate is through smart estate planning. Here are the most effective strategies:
✅ Create a Revocable Living Trust
When you place your assets into a trust during your lifetime, they don’t go through probate. Your successor trustee can distribute them directly to your beneficiaries without court involvement.
✅ Properly Fund Your Trust
Make sure your trust owns the key assets (real estate, accounts, investments, etc.) or is named as the beneficiary. An unfunded trust still results in probate.
✅ Use Beneficiary Designations
Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and certain bank accounts allow you to name beneficiaries, bypassing probate altogether.
✅ Own Property Jointly (in some cases)
Joint ownership with rights of survivorship can transfer certain assets directly to the co-owner upon your passing — though this isn’t ideal for everyone.
In Summary:
Probate is the court’s backup plan for people without a complete estate plan.
With proper planning — especially through a living trust — you can spare your family from delays, costs, and confusion.At Legacy by Signature Signings, we specialize in helping families create attorney-reviewed, probate-avoiding plans that protect your legacy and your peace of mind.