As a parent, you quickly learn that there’s no shortage of things to add to your never-ending to-do list. Grocery shopping, dentist appointments, school pick-ups, and of course, keeping your kids safe and happy. But there’s one task that often gets pushed to the back burner, no matter how important it is: estate planning.
For me, estate planning (i.e. specifically getting a will + trust created for my family) was on my to-do list for three years. I knew I should do it, but it felt too overwhelming to dive into. And truthfully, I had no idea where to even start.
It wasn’t until last year, during a family trip for my mom’s birthday, when it really hit home. My husband and I were about to leave our ten-month-old daughter at home, and I started thinking—what would happen if something happened to us? Who would take care of her? How do we make sure our children are supported financially? These are the tough questions you don’t want to think about, but as a parent, they’re essential.
That’s when we decided it was time.
The first thing I realized was that I had no clue where to begin. We knew we needed a will, and we wanted to set up a trust, but what did that even mean? I had always thought of trusts as something only for wealthy families who needed to pass down large sums of money. I didn’t realize that a trust is for everyone, regardless of income, and that it’s essential for protecting your assets and making sure they don’t go through the lengthy and public probate process.
We called our financial planner multiple times (probably about three phone calls) to discuss some of the key decisions—like who would care for our children if something happened to us and who could make health decisions on our behalf. While they moved us through the process, they weren’t super helpful or supportive in this area. These tough decisions were made even harder by the fact that we didn’t fully understand the process.
One thing I learned quickly is that putting your assets in a trust helps avoid probate. If your assets are not in a trust, they’ll go through probate, which is a legal process where your assets are distributed according to the law and become part of public record. Yikes. I definitely didn’t want my personal financial details available for anyone to see.
Once we had a basic understanding of what needed to be done, we were introduced to a lawyer by our financial planner. We met with her twice over Zoom, and it took about three months for her to prepare all of the necessary documents. Then, we had to travel into Manhattan from Westchester to sign everything in front of the lawyer, a notary, and a witness. It was a lot of time, effort, and coordination—especially with a baby at home. And then we got hit with the bill: we spent over $5,000 for this process.
When the documents finally arrived in the mail—a giant stack of papers that now sit in our home safe—I couldn’t help but wonder: Is this really the only way? The whole process felt so outdated, and I kept asking myself, Is there an easier and more cost-effective way to do this?
And then, just a few weeks later, I was introduced to Steward.
A Better Way: Steward’s Estate Planning Tool
Steward has created a modern, tech-driven approach to estate planning that addresses so many of the frustrations I had with the traditional process. Their concierge service is designed to help families create a trust and will for a fraction of the cost—around $3,000 (a significant savings compared to the $5,000+ we spent which is probably on the low end).
What I love about Steward is how modern and streamlined the process is. It’s powered by AI, which makes everything more efficient. In just a couple of weeks, you can have your trust and will in place. Plus, you have the support of a lawyer who you meet with over Zoom, and a notary can come directly to your home to complete the paperwork. Convenience? Music to a parent’s ears.
For the first time, estate planning felt manageable and accessible. I could update my will or trust more easily in the future if my circumstances changed (they can tack on a nominal $150 fee to make updates as you wish vs. the alternative that could cost $2K+ for minor edits), and I wasn’t stuck with a cumbersome and expensive process.
There’s such a lack of education in the estate planning space, and that’s something I really believe Steward is changing. They’re pushing the boundaries of what estate planning can look like, making it easier and more affordable for families to take control of their financial futures. If you’re like me and feel overwhelmed by the idea of estate planning, I encourage you to check out Steward. It’s an exciting step forward in a space that really needed a shake-up, and I’m so glad I found a solution that makes this essential part of life a little less daunting.
Steward is offering $1,000 off $3,000 for HATCH customers. Sign-up here today.
