Law enforcement — who it's for
Who the Law Enforcement Estate Planning Program is for
This program is written for people who work in law enforcement and want a will and a power of attorney in place without taking a day off to get it done.
Roles this program is written for
Most officers build these documents alongside a spouse or partner, so both households have matching agents and contingent choices. Nothing about the program requires you to be currently sworn — the documents are the same for civilian staff and retirees.
- Sworn municipal law enforcement officers and county deputies
- State troopers and highway patrol officers
- Corrections and detention officers
- Detectives, sergeants, lieutenants and command staff
- School resource officers and campus law enforcement
- Dispatchers, evidence technicians, records staff and other civilian department personnel
- Reserve and auxiliary officers
- Retired officers who never got the paperwork done while they were working
When it matters most
The situations that move this off the someday list.
You have children under 18
A guardianship nomination only exists if you write it down. Without one, a judge chooses from whoever comes forward, and that is a hearing your family attends during the worst week of their lives.
You just bought a house
A house is usually the first asset large enough that intestacy law, joint titling and a mortgage all interact. This is the point where having no will starts to cost your family real money.
Your family is blended
State intestacy formulas are written for one marriage and shared children. If you have a stepchild you raised, a child from a previous relationship, or a second marriage, the default result is almost never what you would choose.
Your spouse is not on all the accounts
Individually held accounts freeze on incapacity, not just on death. A financial power of attorney is what keeps a mortgage paid while you are in a hospital bed.
You are approaching retirement or entering DROP
Pension survivor elections are frequently irrevocable once made. Getting your will, power of attorney and beneficiary designations lined up before that election is the difference between a coordinated plan and three documents that contradict each other.
You are single with no children
The power of attorney matters most here. An on-duty injury that leaves you alive and unable to sign is the scenario the document exists for, and the default rule sends your property to parents or siblings whether or not that is your intent.
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, land in another state, or property that would trigger a second probate somewhere else
- You own a business, or a share of one, that needs a succession or buy-sell arrangement
- You have a child or family member with a disability who receives needs-based benefits and requires a special needs trust
- Your estate is large enough that estate tax planning is on the table
- You want to avoid probate entirely, which generally calls for a funded living trust rather than a will
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.
- Full legal names and dates of birth for your spouse, children and anyone you want to name
- The person you want as personal representative, and a backup
- The person you want as financial agent under the power of attorney, and a backup
- Your guardian and backup guardian choice if you have minor children
- A rough list of accounts, vehicles, property and insurance policies
- Your current pension, DROP, 457(b) and life insurance beneficiary designations if you can pull them up
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.