LIVE Coalition Launches to Modernize Estate Planning Laws for the Digital Age

‍WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 10, 2026) — The Legacy, Innovation & Virtual Estate Planning (LIVE) Coalition today announced its official launch as the first and only advocacy group dedicated to modernizing America’s estate planning laws for the digital age.

The LIVE Coalition unites organizations and individuals working to modernize the nation’s estate planning laws to enable secure, digital solutions. Despite major advances in technology and changing consumer expectations, many state laws still assume a world of ink signatures, paper processes, and in-person requirements. This creates unnecessary barriers for families and slows progress toward more accessible, future-ready estate planning.

“Estate planning should be secure, modern, and accessible, not stuck in a paper-first world,” said Cody Barbo, Co-Founder & CEO of Trust & Will. “LIVE brings together a growing group of organizations committed to thoughtful legislative modernization, so more families can protect what matters most with tools that meet today’s standards for security and convenience.”

It’s 2026, and only about one-third of states have modern estate planning laws. Large states like California and Texas have yet to take action. At this pace, millions of Americans will remain dependent on outdated processes for decades, limiting access to essential estate planning tools and creating friction at the moments families can least afford it.

“Modernizing estate planning laws is long overdue, and it’s essential that reforms keep pace with how people live and manage their affairs today,” said Doug Stang, Head of Government Affairs and Policy at LegalZoom. “The LIVE Coalition brings a unified voice to this work, focused on practical updates that expand access while preserving the safeguards and legal integrity families depend on."

LIVE is advancing state-level modernization through a practical, security-forward approach. Recent and ongoing coalition work includes:

• Recent progress: Enacted digital estate planning legislation in New York, Missouri, and North Dakota in 2025
• Active 2026 campaigns: Supporting legislative efforts in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Utah, New Jersey, and Mississippi
• Long-term opportunities: Evaluating future legislative pathways in California and Texas
• Bipartisan momentum: Cultivating bipartisan legislative champions committed to long-term reform
• Stakeholder alignment: Building partnerships with bar associations and third-party organizations to support thoughtful modernization
• Movement-building: Expanding membership to strengthen national advocacy momentum, including adjacent sectors such as finance, healthcare, and real estate

LIVE supports reforms that:

• Expand access to essential estate planning tools for families of all backgrounds
• Reduce financial and geographic barriers so more Americans can protect their loved ones
• Enable digital authentication methods that enhance security and convenience
• Preserve legal integrity while embracing innovation that strengthens consumer confidence

Founding members

LIVE launches with a cross-sector group of member organizations spanning estate planning, legal services, technology, and adjacent categories, including: Trust & Will, Alix, Encore Estate Plans, Estate Guru, FreeWill, GoodTrust, Herbie, LawFi, LegalZoom, OneNotary, Paige, Proof, Vanilla, Snapdocs, Trustworthy, and FastWill.

Invitation to join

LIVE is expanding and inviting mission-aligned organizations to join the coalition and help accelerate modernization nationwide. Coalition members gain:

• A seat at the table to help shape state legislation
• Access to research, policy updates, and advocacy tools
• Opportunities to collaborate with industry leaders
• A stronger collective voice in a movement defining the next era of estate planning

To learn more, visit LIVEcoalition.com.  

About the LIVE Coalition

The Legacy, Innovation & Virtual Estate Planning (LIVE) Coalition is dedicated to modernizing America’s estate planning laws for the digital age. LIVE brings together organizations and individuals across estate planning, legal services, technology, and financial planning who share a common belief that every family deserves access to secure, modern tools to protect their legacy.

Media Contact: support@livecoalition.com