Estate planning attorneys know the importance of drafting airtight legal documents to help clients preserve their wealth, avoid probate, and protect their families. But there are two major gaps that even the best estate plans fail to address—trust funding and the liquidity crisis beneficiaries face after a loved one’s passing. These two issues go hand-in-hand, yet they are often overlooked in traditional estate planning. A trust without proper funding fails to accomplish its purpose, and even a perfectly funded trust cannot provide immediate cash flow for grieving families.
Challenges Estate Planning Attorneys and Beneficiaries Face
The Problem with Trust Funding
Most estate planning attorneys draft trusts with the goal of avoiding probate and ensuring assets are distributed smoothly. But did you know that 50% of all trusts go unfunded? Many clients fail to retitle their assets or move accounts into the trust, leaving their estates at risk of probate, delays, and unnecessary expenses.
Why does this happen? Often, attorneys assume their clients will handle the funding process themselves. But in reality, many clients either forget, don’t understand the process, or simply put it off indefinitely. Without proactive trust funding, a well-drafted estate plan can fall apart when it matters most—leading to court battles, unnecessary taxes, and assets being tied up for months or even years.
The Beneficiary Liquidity Crisis
Even when trusts are properly funded, another financial hurdle remains: the liquidity crisis. When a loved one passes, their assets are often frozen until a death certificate is issued. This process can take weeks or even months, leaving beneficiaries struggling to cover funeral costs, mortgages, legal fees, and everyday expenses.
Recent administrative changes to how vital records, including death certificates, are issued have increased challenges for beneficiaries. For example, when the Cook County, Illinois Clerk passed away unexpectedly in 2024, death certificates could not be issued for weeks, leaving thousands of families unable to access their loved ones’ assets. Even under normal circumstances, autopsies, investigations, and bureaucratic delays can extend the waiting period, forcing families to pay out of pocket for essential expenses.
These financial roadblocks can create stress, family disputes, and unnecessary financial hardship—all while beneficiaries are grieving their loss. Estate planning attorneys have an opportunity to solve both of these problems by integrating trust funding services and the Beneficiary Liquidity Plan (BLP) into their practice.
The Missing Piece: The Beneficiary Liquidity Plan (BLP) and Trust Funding Services
The Beneficiary Liquidity Plan (BLP) is the last piece of the estate planning puzzle. It provides immediate, tax-free access to cash for beneficiaries—without requiring a death certificate. This means families can cover urgent expenses within 24-48 hours, rather than waiting for months while assets remain locked in probate or financial red tape.
How the Beneficiary Liquidity Plan Works
- The client selects a funding amount to set aside for their beneficiaries.
- The funds are transferred into a specialized insurance product (no medical underwriting required).
- The attorney reviews the finalized BLP with the client (and gets paid billable hours).
- Upon the client’s passing, funds are paid to beneficiaries within 24-48 hours—without waiting for a death certificate.
This process ensures that families are not financially burdened in their time of grief. And for estate planning attorneys, it’s a simple, profitable way to offer greater value to clients.
Trust Funding Services for Estate Planning Practices
Many estate planning attorneys avoid trust funding because they think it’s complex, time-consuming, or unprofitable. But with the right system in place, it becomes an easy, revenue-generating service for your firm.
Here’s why adding the Beneficiary Liquidity Plan to your practice is a game-changer:
Get Paid for Reviewing the Finalized BLP – No commissions, just billable hours.
Stand Out in the Market – The BLP is an exclusive offering not available at other law firms.
New Revenue Stream Without Additional Work – No need to hire more staff or learn financial services.
Marketing Provided by IMS at No Cost – Get fully managed marketing campaigns to promote your new offering.
No Enrollment Cost – There’s no upfront investment required.
IMS, in partnership with Wisepath Financial Group and Homesteaders Life, has created a turnkey system to help estate planning attorneys integrate trust funding and the BLP into their practice without any extra workload. Benefits estate planning attorneys can expect include:
- Ensure their clients’ wishes are carried out seamlessly
- Prevent probate complications and disputes
- Provide beneficiaries with instant access to needed funds
- Strengthen client relationships and enhance their reputation
Market Exclusivity: Secure Your Territory Before It’s Gone
Because of the high demand for this service, IMS is offering the BLP as a market-exclusive opportunity. That means only a limited number of firms in each region will be able to offer this service.
Attorneys must qualify, but there’s no cost to enroll. If you’re interested, it’s essential to act now before your competitors claim this exclusive offering in your area.
Speak with our Estate Planning Marketing Team about Adding Trust Funding Services to Your Law Firm
If you’re ready to elevate your estate planning practice and become the go-to attorney in your market for trust funding and the Beneficiary Liquidity Plan, schedule a call today with James Campbell, Chief Growth Officer at IMS. Don’t miss this opportunity to differentiate your firm, increase revenue, and provide a truly complete estate plan for your clients.
