Protecting Your Legacy: Why Sword & Shield Estate Planning Matters

Everyone wants peace of mind, especially when thinking about their family’s future. At Sword & Shield Estate Planning, our mission is to help individuals and couples protect their legacies through clear, legally compliant documents scaled to your needs.

🛡️ What Is Sword & Shield Estate Planning?

Sword & Shield is a document/form-based estate planning service (not a law firm) that helps clients complete the essential documents needed for a robust estate plan. swordandshieldestateplanning.com Using specialized software built and maintained by legal professionals, we produce state-specific documents that align with current laws and regulations. swordandshieldestateplanning.com

Because we are not attorneys, we don’t provide legal advice tailored to every unique case; rather, we guide you through forms, explain options, and deliver the documents you need. swordandshieldestateplanning.com

📄 What Documents Do They Prepare?

Depending on your situation, Sword & Shield can help you with:

• Wills

• Trusts (e.g. revocable living trust)

• Powers of Attorney

• Health Care Directives / Advance Directives

• Certification of Trust

• Declarations & Assignments related to personal property & business interests

• Final Instructions & Funding Instructions

• Guardianship designations (for minors)

• Marital property agreements

• Pour-over wills (to complement trust structures) swordandshieldestateplanning.com

They offer packages for individuals and couples:

• Complete Estate Plan (includes trust, will, powers, etc.) around $995 swordandshieldestateplanning.com

• Will & Powers Package (more limited set of documents) around $495 swordandshieldestateplanning.com

✨ What Makes Sword & Shield Different?

FeatureWhy It MattersAdvanced document softwareEnables production of legally valid, state-specific documents without reinventing the wheel for every client. swordandshieldestateplanning.comLower costThey aim to deliver comparable quality to traditional firms at about half the cost. swordandshieldestateplanning.comScalable for individuals & couplesOffers flexibility so you don’t pay for more than you need.Non-legal but guidedWhile not giving legal advice on specific cases, they guide you in choosing what fits your situation. swordandshieldestateplanning.com

👤 The Story Behind the Service

The founder behind Sword & Shield has 25 years of experience in financial services (mortgages, insurance, retirement planning) and shifted focus toward estate planning about 15 years ago. swordandshieldestateplanning.com The personal motivation being a single father and wanting to safeguard his family ultimately shaped the vision of providing accessible, quality estate planning services. swordandshieldestateplanning.com

Curtis Olsen is listed as a “Certified Estate Planner” associated with Sword & Shield. LinkedIn+1

🧩 How It Works (In Practice)

1. Choose a package — Complete Plan, or a simpler Will & Powers package.

2. Fill out intake forms / questionnaires — Provide personal data, assets, family structure, and wishes.

3. Review & clarify — You’ll have a chance to confirm or ask questions about what the documents cover.

4. Receive documents — The finalized, state-specific documents are delivered for you to sign.

5. Implement & fund — For trusts, you’ll need to properly fund assets (title property, etc.).

Because laws vary by state, the software is updated regularly to reflect changes and maintain compliance. swordandshieldestateplanning.com

✅ Why You Should Care (And Act)

• Avoid probate hassles & costs: A good estate plan helps your heirs avoid delays and court costs.

• Have control over your legacy: Decide who gets what, when, and how, rather than leaving it to default laws.

• Prepare for incapacity: Powers of Attorney and health directives ensure someone you trust can act on your behalf if you can’t.

• Affordable peace of mind: Sword & Shield offers a lower-cost route compared to full attorney drafting, while still delivering professional documents.

• Flexible & updatable: As life changes (move, marriage, children, assets), your plan can be updated.

⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind & Limitations

• Not legal advice: Because they are not attorneys, their guidance is general, not tailored to complex or unique legal issues.

• Complex estates might need a lawyer: If you have high net worth, offshore accounts, special needs, or contentious situations, you may still need legal counsel.

• Funding is your responsibility: For trusts to work, assets must be properly transferred — documents alone aren’t sufficient.

• State law nuances: Even well-designed software can’t always cover ultra-local peculiarities; some review by a lawyer is prudent in tricky cases.