Frequently asked questions
General questions about Bequestor.
These questions explain Bequestor’s purpose, recordkeeping approach, privacy considerations, and relationship to estate planning.
FAQ
General Platform Questions
What is Bequestor?
Bequestor is a web-based legacy organizer that helps clients document personal belongings, add photos and notes, identify intended beneficiaries, and maintain a clear record of their wishes for future reference.
What is a Legacy Record?
A Legacy Record is the organized record a client creates in Bequestor. It may include client information, attorney details, executor information, beneficiary details, belongings, photos, notes, locations, intended recipients, and other instructions the client chooses to preserve.
Is Bequestor intended to replace estate planning documents?
No. Bequestor is not a will, trust, codicil, memorandum, or legal instrument. It is designed to support estate planning by helping clients organize personal wishes and contextual information in a clear, accessible record.
Does Bequestor provide legal advice?
No. Bequestor does not provide legal advice. Legal guidance should always come from a qualified attorney. Bequestor is a recordkeeping and organization tool that can support the planning work an attorney already provides.
FAQ
Records, Access, and Security
Can the record be downloaded?
Yes. Bequestor is designed to allow a client to generate a read-only record that can be saved, printed, or shared with an attorney, executor, or trusted advisor.
Who controls the information entered into Bequestor?
The client controls the information they enter and maintain in their record. The client’s estate planning firm may retain read-only access to the record for reference as part of the planning process.
Is the information private?
Privacy is central to the purpose of Bequestor. A client’s information should be treated as sensitive planning information and shared only with the people the client chooses, such as their attorney, executor, or trusted advisor. Bequestor uses safeguards such as account authentication and email-based two-factor verification to help protect access, but no website or electronic storage system can guarantee complete security.
Does Bequestor use two-factor authentication?
Yes. Bequestor uses email-based two-factor authentication for account access. This adds an additional verification step beyond a password and helps protect client, firm, and administrative records from unauthorized access.
Should clients store passwords or account numbers in Bequestor?
No. Bequestor is intended to organize belongings, wishes, and legacy instructions. Clients should avoid storing passwords, full account numbers, private keys, or highly sensitive access credentials in their record.
What happens if a client does not finish their record?
An unfinished record can still provide useful information, but clients should be encouraged to review and update their entries so the record remains as complete and accurate as possible.
FAQ
Privacy, Records, and Legal Use
How is information used within Bequestor?
Information entered into Bequestor is used to operate the service, maintain user accounts, support access to records, and allow clients and firms to use Bequestor as intended. Bequestor does not sell or rent user information.
Can downloaded records be shared outside the platform?
Yes. Once a record is downloaded, printed, emailed, or otherwise shared outside Bequestor, the user is responsible for how that copy is stored, protected, distributed, and used.
Is a Bequestor record legally binding?
A Bequestor record is intended to serve as an organized reference for clients, estate planning firms, executors, and trusted advisors. It should not be treated as legally binding unless an attorney determines that the information has been properly incorporated into legally effective estate planning documents or other appropriate legal instruments.
What is the relationship between Bequestor and an estate planning firm?
Bequestor may be offered through an estate planning firm as part of the planning process. Bequestor itself does not create an attorney-client relationship between Bequestor and any user. Any attorney-client relationship exists only between the client and the client’s attorney or law firm, if applicable.
What responsibilities do users have when using Bequestor?
Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials, providing accurate information, and using Bequestor only for lawful purposes. Users should not attempt unauthorized access, interfere with the service, upload harmful code, or use the platform to store unlawful or intentionally misleading information.
Does Bequestor guarantee that disputes or misunderstandings will be avoided?
No. Bequestor is intended to improve clarity and organization, but no tool can guarantee that family disagreement, estate disputes, misunderstanding, or other adverse outcomes will be avoided.
Does Bequestor rely on third-party services?
Yes. Bequestor may rely on third-party providers for hosting, storage, security, communication, payment processing, analytics, and other operational support needed to operate the platform.