Legado Co-founder Pushes Estate Planning for All, Citing 16-Month Probate and $99 Wills
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 25
Legado Co-founder Pushes Estate Planning for All, Citing 16-Month Probate and $99 Wills
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 25
Summary
Noelle McEntee said estate planning should start now—not in old age—arguing anyone with assets or loved ones needs at least a basic plan and an advance medical directive.
Probate is the main risk she highlights: dying intestate sends estates to court, where the process averages 16 months and can consume 3% to 8% of the estate in legal fees.
McEntee said revocable living trusts can avoid probate and stay private, while wills become public and are easier to contest; Legado sells basic wills for $99 and trusts for $599.
She also warned against adding children as co-owners on bank accounts or home deeds, saying that can expose assets to creditors and trigger larger tax bills—for example, taxing a $410,000 gain instead of $10,000.
McEntee founded Legado in 2023 after her uncle died without a will, a case she says exposed how poorly traditional estate planning serves unmarried partners and other nontraditional families.