Get a custom estate plan for just $500! This is a value of $3,000+. Fee covers the complete estate planning process and legal fees.
A will is an important first step. It allows you to name guardians for your children and specify where your property should be distributed after your death. But a complete estate plan goes further, creating a roadmap for your family and your finances both during your lifetime and after you’re gone.
Ultimately, you have the opportunity to make these decisions yourself, which makes it easier for your loved ones to handle your affairs during a time of grief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it good to have a will or trust?
You decide who in your family will receive your assets. Otherwise, the court can give them to other family members whom you may not want to receive anything. If you have children under the age of 18, it protects them from being placed in the wrong guardianship through the court decision. It stops beneficiaries from overpaying in taxes. With just a little planning, you can reduce much or even all of your federal and state or inheritance taxes with your estate. It eliminates the stress of decisions on family members, which can cause rifts.
What does the process look like?
- #1 Sign Up & Payment: $500 fee with a signed agreement.
- #2 First Meeting: Data-gathering session with your SFC Estate Coach (Zoom or in-person).
- #3 Homework: Gather any missing information.
- #4 Presentation: Receive and review the individual booklet with personal estate details. Discuss tax and charitable options (if applicable).
- #5 Legal Drafting: Forward Legal (or your selected attorney) prepares the legal documents. Please note that adding your house or property to the estate requires an additional $200 filing fee with Forward Legal.
- #6 Finalizing: Sign documents at the second appointment with your attorney.
Important Notes: Expected program completion: 2-3 months. Maximum timeframe: 6 months (extensions granted only for valid reasons).
What if I don’t have an estate plan?
Without one, your loved ones could face huge tax burdens, and the courts could designate how your assets are divided or even who gets your children.
Who is SFC Estate Coaching?
SFC Estate Coaching is your trusted, independent Estate Planning Coach. His services are funded by our Foundation.
Craig Mellendorf, CEO, graduated from Concordia College in Nebraska with an Elementary Education Teaching Degree. Initially taught in Lutheran schools for 28 years, of which 18 years were at Martin Luther High School. He understands and greatly values Lutheran education.
He went on to work in Gift Planning Services and started SFC Coaching in 2015. He has worked with over 1.3K families across the United States in planning their estates. He does not sell any financial products, and his services are fully funded by the school/church he works with. Because of this, he has no bias in how you arrange your estate plan, which is a differentiator in the marketplace.
Who is Forward Legal?
Forward Legal is a law firm that has partnered with us to formalize and finalize your estate plan at a substantially reduced rate of $500 (+$200 filing fee if you include a house/property in your plan).
Nathan C. Osborn, JD, is a Marquette University Law School graduate and is licensed to practice law in Wisconsin. Nathan has helped hundreds of families with their estate planning needs and truly understands how important this crucial area of your life is. Additionally, Nathan volunteers his time as a legal advocate, providing services to multiple nonprofits. He is also a parent of two Lake Country Lutheran alumni.
What if I want to use my own attorney?
Some families have their own trusted attorney. If you’d like to use your own legal counsel to finalize your estate plan, the $500 deposit will be sent to the firm of your choice once you have finished the plan with SFC Estate Coaching. Be prepared for the selected firm to charge you an additional $500-$3,000 for filing.
Why does the school offer estate planning?
Many families choose to include charitable gifts in their estate plans, whether motivated by generosity, tax benefits, or a desire to leave a lasting legacy. Gifts made to our school through estate planning play an important role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of our school. They provide lasting support, with a portion of each gift invested back into our schools every year to strengthen our mission for generations to come.
We also believe helping families plan for their futures is an important part of building a strong community. Offering estate planning services is one way we can invest in the families and individuals who make our school community special.
There is absolutely no obligation or expectation to include our school in your estate plan. The entire planning process is purposefully confidential and handled independently of our school, allowing families to make decisions freely and without pressure. If you do choose to include our school in your estate, you will have the option to share that information with us toward the end of the process.
Why choose us?
We offer guided estate planning with trusted, expert coaching and partners. There is educational support throughout the process. Your legal fees are significantly reduced through our partnership with Forward Legal. You will have peace of mind once this is completed.
