Modern real estate planning that prioritizes people, community and planet

For more than 500 years, estate planning has been an outdated, expensive, and offline industry. like that, research has shown Because such services were primarily available to the wealthy, the industry has contributed to wealth inequality by providing wealthy people with a way to protect their assets from taxation. But as the demand for easier, more affordable, modern estate planning services continues to grow, new companies and professionals are breaking down these barriers and using online tools to make such services available to a newer and more diverse set of consumers. Now available.

For example, I recently wrote about these topics: trust and will Digital estate planning and settlement companies are meeting this growing demand by simplifying estate planning and probate with attorney-authored documents that are customized to a family’s needs and are legal in all 50 states. We are compatible.

Since launching Trust & Will in 2017, Cody has been dedicated to making comprehensive estate planning affordable for all families. Read on to learn more about this industry, trust and determination, and why Cody believes in achievement. B Corporation certified; It helps companies stay true to their core values ​​at every step. We also discussed changes in the industry and how Trust & Will is using its growing influence to create real positive impact, not just profit.

Christopher Marquis: What drove Trust & Will to pursue B Corporation certification? Is this a first in your industry?

Cody Barbo: From the beginning, we wanted to make an impact in more than just estate planning. For example, the day we founded Trust & Will, we pledged his 1% for the planet and signed the Founders Pledge. These organizations support our mission to ensure we give back to others and increase equity and access.

In essence, B Corporations have a positive social and environmental impact independent of profit. I have always found that B Corporations sell higher quality products and services than other companies. Over time, I naturally gravitated toward products with the B Corp label because I felt it was better to buy them, even if they were more expensive.

Achieving B Corporation certification was a natural next step for a company committed to creating a positive impact in estate planning and other areas. Although there are several B Corporation certified law firms offering estate planning services, we are the first dedicated estate planning platform to receive this designation.

Marquis: How has the estate planning industry changed over the past few years? And how has Trust & Will evolved to keep up with the changes? What sets Trust & Will apart from its competitors? mosquito?

Balbo: Trust & Will is at the forefront of an exciting movement within the estate planning industry: the legal recognition and acceptance of electronic wills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become abundantly clear that traditional methods of executing a will can be cost-prohibitive. A growing number of states are introducing laws that allow residents to create, manage, witness and even notarize wills online. This makes estate planning not only more convenient, but also more accessible.

We create electronic wills using our Remote Dedicated Notary (RON) service (through our partner Notarize) for residents of states where electronic wills are legally recognized. provides the functionality to If your state doesn’t yet allow electronic wills, you can still create your will online with us and have the document mailed to you.

Coupled with affordability, it is helping to democratize a historically old and prohibitively expensive process. We are optimistic that, along with lobbying efforts, electronic wills will become widely recognized by the public in the near future. We are committed to making estate planning accessible and affordable for all Americans.

Marquis: How does Trust & Will use its influence to create positive impact beyond financial gain?

Balbo: We at Trust & Will are committed to making a positive impact in several areas including law, sustainability and philanthropy. As mentioned earlier, we are part of a growing movement to make estate planning more accessible to Americans, and that requires legislative change. We provide the technology, affordability, and education to advance equity in this field.

We are also committed to having a positive impact on the environment. We are a climate-positive workplace and have partnered with organizations Ecology and Bend to help reduce our carbon footprint.

If you ask my team what Trust & Will is known for, “giving back” will be one of the top answers. Philanthropy is a big part of our identity. We offer employees matching in-kind donations to charities, provide donations and sponsorships from several companies, and provide estate planning to front-line workers, teachers, veterans, and families in need. are donating. We also provide regular paid time off so that employees can volunteer with organizations of their choice.

Marquis: What is the biggest benefit of becoming a B Corp?

Balbo: Achieving B Corporation status is like receiving a badge of honor that you can wear with pride. Because the standards are so high and the certification process so rigorous, successful certification comes with a level of integrity and respect. This gives your organization a sense of purpose and empowerment, allowing you to feel good about the little things in your business.

This is not only an impactful result for Trust & Will, but also for our organization and culture as a whole. People identify with the label B Corporation. This means more engagement for our employees, customers, partners and investors.

Marquis: When other CEOs ask you about becoming B Corp certified, what advice would you give them?

Balbo: B Corporation’s website features a database of certified companies, so you can search and follow your favorites on social media. Take a look at how you market your business, with or without a B Corp logo, and compare it to your competitors. You’ll quickly start to feel that these companies are inherently more successful. Not only will your marketing be better, but you as a consumer will feel better about purchasing that product or service. My subconscious training has led me to look for B Corp and 1% for the Planet logos on products and websites. This shows that the organization cares about more than just the bottom line and is trying to do good in the world. I also want to empathize with such a company. As an entrepreneur, this allows you to see what mission and values ​​other B Corporations embody.

Marquis: What’s next? What does Trust & Will have planned for 2024?

Balbo: While we’re happy to have achieved B Corporation designation, it’s just a starting point. In 2024, we’ll look at ways to improve governance, our people, our communities, our environment, our customers, and more. One of the important reasons for pursuing this designation is to ensure accountability and enable our organization to continue to grow its positive impact year after year. We are also preparing to become a Delaware public benefit corporation, so please look forward to it.