Through membership in NAFS, families have enjoyed a variety of discounted benefits and valuable services, while saving thousands of dollars compared to the average cost of obtaining similar services.
As an association, NAFS provides its customers with two main benefits in which to access services, which are known as a legal services plan and a financial services plan. Think of us as the Auto Club, but for legal and financial services. By having a membership with us, you get access to discounted legal and financial services.
NAFS was established to support the interests and financial security of the family unit. The primary goals of NAFS were to reduce the cost of obtaining legal and financial services and make it both simple to understand and easy to get these services, without any sacrifice in quality and experience normally found with other high-priced alternatives. NAFS accomplished its goals by forming its operations as an association, capable of housing a multitude of benefits and services, providing access to highly regarded experienced professionals, while acting as an advocate to assure the services being utilized are delivered to customers as expected.
Discounted Preparation of a Living Trust ($699)
The preparation of a family revocable living trust is the most popular legal services plan benefit. In using this benefit, a customer is assigned to work with an experienced estate planning attorney. The attorney initially conducts a consultation and provides legal advice as to the best course of action in the creation of the living trust, based on the customer’s specific needs and desires. After the consultation, the law firm creates a customized living trust portfolio of documents. The new documents are reviewed with the customer and then shipped to the customer after approval. Upon receipt, the law firm provides convenient in-home document delivery and notarization at no extra charge. All this is done without the customer having to leave their home, and without having to gather up endless amounts of documentation (such as copies of deeds, bank statements, etc.).
And best of all, the total price of this service is only $699, whether single or married. There are no hidden fees as the $699 price covers everything. This service includes: the revocable living trust, attorney consultation, and document preparation, powers of attorney, living will, one transfer deed for property owned, and document execution and notarization.
Discounted Living Trust Changes (Free Amendments)
It’s one thing to get a great price creating a living trust, but it doesn’t stop there. Living trusts for passing family wealth are revocable during the trust owner’s lifetime. Revocable simply means that the living trust can be changed. Situations change as time marches on. Over time there are common needs to add or remove beneficiaries, increase or decrease the amount a beneficiary will receive, change successor trustees that have moved far away for example, and a myriad of other things that require updates to a living trust.
Lawyers use a document known as an amendment to make changes to an existing living trust. It’s usually just a one or two-page document, that after completion, is stored in the living trust binder for future reference. Many law firms, however, charge a significant amount to make changes. Law firms these days on average are charging fees ranging from $250 to $800 or more for each change.
Over the course of a person’s lifetime, these fees can really add up. Thousands and thousands of dollars can be spent just to maintain a simple living trust document. NAFS recognized this burdensome cost, and how the cost of changes could deter a person from getting the desired change made. NAFS, using its structure as an association, was able to dilute expenses and pass many savings on to its customers. In this case, customers of NAFS seeking changes/amendments have nothing to fear, as there is no cost regardless of the number of amendments. Amendments/changes for NAFS customers are free. This benefit alone can save NAFS customers hundreds or thousands of dollars over a lifetime.
Discounted Living Trust Restatements ($100)
Over time, with pages of law changes and amendments added, living trust documents may become hard to follow; like a maze of paperwork. The legal plan benefits have included a discount for living trust restatements. This benefit allows you to contact the attorney and have a new living trust prepared to incorporate any and all changes over the years back into one nice new document. This benefit can be used by NAFS customers with no limit, at a charge of only $100. Over the years, this has been a valuable benefit, especially for customers that accidentally lost or destroyed documents by spilling coffee or other drinks on the pages, etc.
Discounted Estate Settlement Services (Free)
Although living trusts can avoid the potentially lengthy and costly process of an inheritance going through the probate courts, it’s still a legal document strewn with complicated legal terms. They are sophisticated documents prepared by an attorney that contain a lot of legalese. When beneficiaries read through living trusts when the time comes, they usually get lost and confused. Many beneficiaries seek out lawyers to help get their inheritance from the trust, or in other words, settle the estate. To their surprise, on average lawyers charge $1,500 or more to assist beneficiaries in settling their trust estates.
NAFS addressed this issue and, in conjunction with its plan attorneys, developed estate settlement services for exclusive use for beneficiaries of NAFS customers. These services allow beneficiaries to have a consultation with the attorney. The attorney, in layman’s terms, will give them the road map of how to get the inheritance and make it really comfortable for them so they know exactly what they need and what to do. If the beneficiaries hit any roadblocks from institutions not following or complying with the living trust instructions, they simply call the law office for assistance and resolution. These settlement services are the icing on the cake for families. They take all the stress and concern away. There is no charge to NAFS customers’ families when using the estate settlement services. Settlement services are made available at no cost. It has become one of the most used services of all the services contained within the legal services plan benefits.
Discounted Notary Services (Online Notary)
Although not a legal service in and of itself, a notary service is required to sign and execute most all legal documents. NAFS has made mobile notary service an available benefit under its legal services plan. Although included at no cost with the living trust service, NAFS plan attorneys may arrange for the notarization of a variety of documents at costs currently ranging from only $25 and up to no more than $150. Mobile notaries on average charge up to $350 or more to notarize documents, making NAFS a tremendous saving for our customers. Due to issues brought about by the coronavirus, the plan attorneys also implemented an online notary service. The online notary service has become the preference for 80% of NAFS customers. It’s easy, convenient, and for U.S. transactions can be done no matter where the signor is located throughout the country and world.
Financial Services
A financial services plan has been developed for customers of the National Association of Family Services to help customers protect their families. This plan features a wide selection of services that may not be available elsewhere. Today, individuals are faced with many financial concerns – preparing for retirement, planning for the passing of an inheritance, or supporting an aging parent. Individuals are also confronted with an ever-growing number of investment and insurance products and services.
The need for competent, objective financial guidance has never been greater. The financial plan’s primary responsibility is to address a member’s needs and concerns, as well as being there to service those members. The benefits begin with financial advisors acquainting themselves with each customer’s unique situation, and thoroughly understanding both short and long-term objectives. The advisors, working in unison with other attorneys, tax specialists, and consulting firms, then offer professional recommendations designed specifically to achieve stated goals. The result of this teamwork is a professionally designed program that matches each customer’s needs. The financial plan benefits exist to provide professional, personal service and recommendations in the best interests of our customers.
Take Advantage of National Association of Family Services
National Association of Family Services is one of the nation’s premier discounted legal services companies. Since 2008, over 17,000 families have enjoyed the peace of mind that comes from using the association’s two primary benefits. The association was created for the purpose of providing access to affordable and quality legal representation for individuals and their families. If you would like to learn more about the association’s most utilized benefit, to watch our educational video showing how easy it is to obtain a complete living trust portfolio (prepared by an experienced estate planning attorney) for the low price of only $699.
Over the course of fifteen years, the founder of the National Association of Family Services (“NAFS”) worked with thousands of families in relation to their financial and estate planning desires. From this substantial experience, he acquired a deep understanding of the issues confronting most families. Repeatedly, these issues involved dealing with medical problems, preserving one’s life savings, and wealth transfer to beneficiaries. In today’s world, all these challenges should be addressed and coordinated effectively in order to avoid costly mistakes.
