Creating a will or estate plan is one of the most effective ways to protect against heirs’ property (when a home is passed down without a clear and legal transfer of the title). This unclear ownership threatens a family’s ability to build financial wealth and could result in the loss of the family home.
Technology can make estate planning more affordable and scalable, lowering costs and expanding access. However, homeowners most at risk - older adults, low-income households, and communities of color - face barriers such as unreliable internet access, digital skills, or comfort with online services, creating a “digital divide.”
ILHPR Research Director Michael Neal's latest research highlights the adoption of technology in financial services, and the legal services industries and solutions that could reduce inequities and expand access and benefits to marginalized communities.
Given homeownership’s wealth-building potential across multiple generations, overcoming technology challenges could provide a greater opportunity for many more families to create an estate plan and become financially resilient.
This research was developed by Neal in his role at the Urban Institute. We share it here because of its relevance to our mission; the views expressed are those of the author alone.
Read more in Neal's report: “Tangled Titles, Estate Planning, and the Digital Divide”
Event archive video: “Untangling a Complex Problem: Preserving Housing Wealth for Vulnerable Owners through Technology and Estate Planning”