Preserving Your Legacy: Introducing Legado - Your Partner in Estate Planning

At Legado, the mission is clear: to empower individuals to protect and perpetuate their legacies for generations to come. Founded by Ciara Lister and Noelle Kimble McEntee, Legado isn't just another estate planning company; it's a beacon of hope for those seeking to leave behind more than just assets and liabilities. 

So, what sets Legado apart from traditional estate planning services? For starters, it's their holistic approach to legacy preservation. Beyond the legalities of wills and trusts, Legado helps clients craft a comprehensive narrative of their lives – from their values and beliefs to their hopes and dreams for the future.

The current product is designed to combine the best of both worlds: the convenience of an online intake process and the confidence that comes from meeting with an attorney. This approach ensures that anyone can easily input their information online at their own pace, and then have a professional review and finalize your legal plan. By blending digital efficiency with personal assurance, Legado makes sure you understand and feel confident about your plan every step of the way.

One of the unique features offered by Legado is their interactive quiz, designed to help users understand their estate planning needs better. This quiz serves as a valuable tool for individuals to assess their current estate planning situation and identify areas where they may need assistance. By empowering users with knowledge and insights, Legado ensures that everyone can make informed decisions about their legacy with confidence.

But Legado isn't just about preserving individual legacies; it's also about fostering a sense of collective responsibility towards our planet and future generations. Sustainability lies at the heart of everything they do, Legado tries to keep our estate plans to the least amount of pages as possible. Legado focuses on educating people about greener initiatives without pushing them, and recommends donating to Giving Green, a non-profit that identifies and supports high-impact climate initiatives. They also try to educate people on greener options other than cremation like green burials.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of Legado is the human touch behind it all. Ciara and Noelle aren't just founders; they're storytellers, advocates, and guardians of legacy. With a genuine passion for helping others and a deep respect for the stories that make us who we are, they've built Legado into more than just a business – it's a movement, a testament to the power of legacy in shaping our shared human experience. 

In late 2022, Noelle lost her uncle who didn’t have an up-to-date estate plan, witnessing first hand the heartache that can cause. Early 2023, she met Ciara, who explained the industry’s shortcomings. Motivated by her experience and a shared commitment to making a difference, they began building Legado to address the issues and support others in their planning needs. 

In a recent interview, Noelle discussed Legado's vision and objectives, including their search for a Chief Technology Officer. She emphasized that Legado aims to collaborate with companies or associations interested in offering estate planning as a benefit to their employees or members. Noelle suggested promoting their new product, Legacy Planning, as an employee benefit and encouraged interested parties to request a quote. 

For Q3 and Q4, Legado’s goals include expanding their team by hiring a Chief Technology Officer and additional customer experience professionals. Noelle explains how they “aim to connect with local investors interested in getting in on the ground floor of a totally bootstrapped tech startup.” Additionally, they plan to host more Legacy Parties to foster community engagement and gain insights into people’s needs.

During our interview with Legado's founder, she shared the company's long-term vision. She emphasized that a legacy starts when one begins to live intentionally, not just at the end of life. Legado aims to become a comprehensive resource for individuals to shape their legacy, extending beyond financial assets to encompass life's purpose and preparation. In the short term, Legado plans to partner with companies offering relevant resources, such as caregiver counseling, vetted financial planners, and graceful aging networks, to support their clients' diverse needs.

We asked Noelle about why she chose to build her company in the Hudson Valley. She shared that “the Hudson Valley is home,” it is where she grew up, and went through all different stages of life here. She explains how she met her partner here, and now has expanded her family by  raising her daughter here. “I’m passionate about supporting the growth of our community by mentoring and hiring locally. My desire to support our local community began when I was 14 years old and started COTA. To me, Legado is the grown-up version of COTA. I'm proud to build it here in the Hudson Valley” said Noelle. Additionally, they facilitated an incredible intern from SUNY New Paltz, Malachi Newbern, Class of 2025, further aiding the company's growth.

Lastly during our interview with Noelle, we asked about the impact of the Hudson Valley Venture Hub and her current projects within their programs. She praised Eliza Edge for being an invaluable sounding board, offering advice with no ulterior motive other than to see Legado succeed. The Venture Hub has provided support with marketing strategy and execution, guidance on potential avenues to secure capital, mentorship on SEO, and help with financial modeling and forecasting. Additionally, they facilitated an incredible intern from New Paltz, further aiding the company's growth.

In a world where uncertainty reigns supreme, it's comforting to know that there are companies like Legado dedicated to helping us navigate life's inevitable transitions with grace and dignity. Whether you're a young professional just starting out or a seasoned veteran planning for the future, Legado is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring that your legacy – however you define it – lives on for generations to come.

Written by Lorena Marron an undergraduate student at  SUNY New Paltz, majoring in Marketing and International Business.