Teachers / educators — who it's for
Who the Educator Estate Planning Program is for
This program is written for school employees — classroom teachers and everyone who keeps a school running — who want a will and a power of attorney done outside contract hours.
Roles this program is written for
Everyone employed by a school or district is included, not only certificated teachers. Support staff often have the smallest financial cushion and the most to lose from a probate delay.
- Classroom teachers, K-12
- Paraprofessionals, aides and instructional assistants
- School counselors, social workers and psychologists
- Principals, assistant principals and district administrators
- Special education teachers and therapists
- Librarians, coaches and specialists
- Bus drivers, custodial, food service and front office staff
- Substitute teachers and adjunct or community college instructors
- Retired educators
When it matters most
The situations that move this off the someday list.
You have children under 18
The guardianship nomination belongs in your will. It is the one decision no one else can make for you, and the one educators most often say they postponed.
Most of your net worth is a pension and a 403(b)
That is normal for educators, and it makes the beneficiary forms more important than the will for those accounts — and the will more important for everything else, because a modest estate has little room to absorb probate costs.
You are retiring within a few years
Retirement system survivor elections are frequently irrevocable. Put the will, power of attorney and beneficiary forms in order before you make that election.
You and your spouse both work in schools
Two similar plans that contradict each other are a common outcome. Build them together so agents, guardians and contingent beneficiaries match.
You are caring for an aging parent
A power of attorney names who acts for you. If you are also the person acting for a parent, your own plan needs a successor so that role does not collapse if you are unavailable.
You are single, with no children
A will keeps the state's default formula from deciding, and a power of attorney means someone you chose can pay your bills during a long illness or recovery.
When it isn't the right fit
A will and a power of attorney are not always enough.
If any of these describe you, say so on the free consult and we will point you to a trust-based plan instead of selling you the wrong document set.
See the trust-based plans- You own rental property or property in another state
- You run a business — tutoring, curriculum, summer programs — with real value or partners
- You have a child or sibling receiving needs-based disability benefits, which calls for a special needs trust
- Your estate is large enough for estate tax planning
- You want to avoid probate entirely, which generally means a funded living trust
What to have ready.
Nothing has to be exact to begin. You can start with what you know and fill in the rest before you sign.
- Legal names and dates of birth for everyone you plan to name
- Your personal representative choice, plus a backup
- Your financial agent under the power of attorney, plus a backup
- Guardian and backup guardian if you have minor children
- A rough list of accounts, property, vehicles and policies
- Your retirement system, 403(b), 457(b) and union or district life insurance beneficiary designations if handy
Written by an estate planning attorney.
Online convenience, attorney oversight, and estate planning priced so getting started doesn't cost thousands. You spend your life serving and protecting others — let us help you protect the people you love.