DB2 Financial Services | Woman-Owned & Veteran-Owned Protecting Income • Reducing Risk • Preserving Legacy (803) 761-0136
Estate Planning Coaching

Because protecting your family should not depend on guesswork.

Most families put off estate planning. Not because they don’t care, but because nobody ever sat down and clearly explained what to do. DB2 helps families organize important decisions before a crisis places those choices into the hands of the courts.

When’s the last time you reviewed your estate plan? Whether you don’t have one yet or yours hasn’t been looked at in years, we start with a conversation about your family and your goals.

At DB2 Financial Services, we serve as Estate Planning Coaches, not a law firm. We help you organize information, understand the process, and follow through on important next steps, including guidance and support with trust funding. The goal is a plan that does not stop at paperwork. Legal questions and legal advice belong with a qualified attorney.

56%

of U.S. adults have no estate planning documents at all

14%

have a trust, and a trust only works if it’s funded

42%

say they wouldn’t know what to do if a family member died today

Source: Trust & Will 2026 Estate Planning Report, survey of 5,000 U.S. adults.

✦ Free guide: Life’s 4 Must Haves, the four documents every adult needs ↓
The Documents That Protect Your Family

Will or Trust? Which Is Right for Your Family?

Your assets, loved ones, and wishes all matter.

If a will is right for you

Will-Based Plan

  • Last Will and TestamentIdentifies who inherits your property and who is responsible for settling your estate. A will generally goes through probate.
  • Financial Power of AttorneyAppoints someone you trust to manage financial matters on your behalf, including if you become incapacitated.
  • Healthcare Power of Attorney / Healthcare DirectiveAppoints someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so, and documents your wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care.
If a trust is right for you

Trust Package

  • Revocable Living TrustProvides instructions for managing and distributing assets held in your trust, both during your lifetime and after your death. Properly funded assets can generally avoid probate.
  • Certificate of TrustProvides proof of your trust and the trustee's authority without disclosing the full private trust document.
  • Pour-Over WillDirects assets left outside your trust into the trust through your estate, generally subject to probate.
  • Financial Power of AttorneyAppoints someone you trust to manage financial matters on your behalf, including if you become incapacitated.
  • Healthcare Power of Attorney / Healthcare DirectiveAppoints someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so, and documents your wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care.

Document titles and legal requirements vary by state. The documents appropriate for your family depend on your circumstances and applicable state law.

DB2 Financial Services is not a law firm, and Donna Burks is not an attorney. Estate planning documents are prepared through estate planning software using attorney-drafted language. Nothing on this website is legal advice. For legal questions about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

The step most plans miss

Make sure your assets work with your estate plan.

Signing a living trust is only the first step. The next is determining which assets should be placed in the trust and which are better left outside it. This process—known as trust funding—may involve retitling assets, updating beneficiary designations, and reviewing how accounts and property will transfer.

Without proper funding, some assets may still go through probate or may not pass according to your wishes. At DB2 Financial Services, we help you understand the funding process and outline the steps needed to put your estate plan into action, coordinating with legal and financial professionals when appropriate.

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Families with a Loved One Who Has a Disability

Leave an inheritance that supports your loved one—without putting their benefits at risk.

Leaving money directly to a child or family member with a disability can affect eligibility for needs-based programs such as SSI and Medicaid. Thoughtful planning can help you provide for their future while protecting access to these essential benefits.

Key considerations include:

  • Whether a special needs (supplemental needs) trust or specific trust provisions are appropriate
  • Choosing a trusted person to manage funds and follow the plan’s instructions
  • Planning for additional care and quality-of-life needs while maintaining benefit eligibility

Our trust packages include special needs provisions that can be activated when a beneficiary has a disability. More complex situations may require guidance from an attorney experienced in special needs planning.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Made More Accessible

Through a trusted partnership, DB2 Financial Services offers access to estate planning software using attorney-drafted language, with personalized assistance available throughout the process.

Planning to get started? Schedule a complimentary conversation with DB2 to learn about available discounts and special offers before purchasing.

How It Works

From Conversation to Completion

  1. Discovery ConversationA relaxed 1.5-hour meeting to learn about your family, goals, and wishes. Complimentary. No pressure. No obligation.
  2. Design Your PlanWe help you navigate document preparation and understand the steps involved in completing your plan.
  3. Sign With a NotaryYour trust can be ready to sign in as little as one week.
  4. Fund Your TrustWe guide you through the funding process, including coordinating property deed transfers through our partner law firm. Typical funding timeline: 4–8 weeks.
  5. Lifetime UpdatesLife changes, and your estate plan can be updated as your needs evolve. Some changes may require additional legal guidance.
What Makes Us Different

Wouldn’t it be nice to pay for your plan just once?

Most families expect to pay an attorney again every time life changes: a marriage, a divorce, a move, a new grandchild. With DB2, you pay one time for your important documents and own your plan for life, so you can make changes without paying attorney fees again.

$

One Price, No Surprises

One flat price for your estate planning package. No hourly billing or surprise invoices. Any additional deed transfer or travel fees are discussed and quoted up front.

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Help Funding Your Trust

We provide a comprehensive funding kit, including funding letters, and hands-on guidance to help you put your trust into action.

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Property Deed Assistance

As part of trust funding, we coordinate property deed preparation and transfers through our partner law firm, which handles deeds in all 50 states. Additional fees vary by state.

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Lifetime Changes, Lasting Flexibility

You own your estate planning documents for life. As your circumstances change, your plan can be updated to reflect your needs. Some changes may require additional legal guidance.

Also included: an online document vault your family can access 24/7 • a notary for signing your original documents* • access to our estate planning workshops

*Notary signing is included for clients in South Carolina within 50 miles of our Aiken office. Signings outside this area may involve an additional fee.

Let’s understand what matters to you.

We begin with your goals, answer your questions, and explore the choices that fit your circumstances.

Schedule a Conversation
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