Homeownership is a key source of household wealth. Many households hope to build wealth through homeownership and to pass it down to future generations. But a lack of a will or estate plan can be a significant hurdle to multigenerational wealth preservation, increasing the risk of a tangled title. Further, many homeowners considered at risk of a tangled title do not have the liquid resources to cover the cost of making a will, entrenching the challenge of heirs’ property. 

One promising development is the expansion of financial technology, which can reduce the cost of financial planning, expand access, and drive scale. Join us as we look at the importance of estate planning as a wealth preservation tool, the opportunities presented by adopting technology, and the potential challenges, particularly as deeper technological penetration might intersect with the digital divide. Experts will also discuss the emerging research and practice related to estate planning and identify the strategies employed for the legacy of all homeowners.  
 

Opening

• Janneke Ratcliffe, Vice President, Housing and Communities Division, Urban Institute
• Kristopher Smith, Senior Community Development Program Officer, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Jacksonville
• Joanna Trotter, Executive Director and Senior Program Officer, JPMorganChase Corporate Responsibility

Data and Research on the Importance of Wills and Estate Planning for Wealth Preservation

• Jean-Pierre (JP) Aubry, Associate Director of Retirement Plans and Finance, Center for Retirement Research, Boston College
• Karama Neal, Principal Consultant and Mediator, Neal Firm
• Michael Neal, Senior Fellow, Urban Institute
• Keeva Terry, Professor of Law, Howard University School of Law
• Tobias Salinger, Chief Correspondent, Financial Planning (moderator)

Remarks

• Sarah Stein, Senior Adviser, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Protecting the American Dream: Practitioner Actions for Supporting Household Estate Planning

• Brantley Boyett, President and Co-Founder, Giving Docs
• Adam Frank, Managing Director and Head of Wealth Planning and Advice, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management
• Chris Garland, Community Development Manager, National Community Stabilization Trust
• Mavis Gragg, CEO, HeirShares
• Abraham Reyes Pardo, Vice President, Office of Housing and Diversion Services, Urban League of Greater Philadelphia
• Jade Bristol, Senior Director of Planned Giving, Earthjustice (moderator)

Closing

• Tiffany D. Thomas, Council Member, Houston City Council

This event was funded by a grant from JPMorganChase as part of the shared objective to advance economic mobility through data and research. We are grateful to them and to all our funders, who make research like this possible. The views expressed are those of the speakers and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders, including JPMorganChase. Funders do not determine research findings or the insights and recommendations of Urban experts or the underlying methodology. Further information on the Urban Institute’s funding principles is available at urban.org/about/organizational-principles

This event is available for in-person or virtual participation. Please be sure to register correctly. In-person check-in will begin at 5:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please email [email protected] if you require any accommodations or have any questions about this event.