Our Mission
To advance racial wealth equity by providing accessible estate planning legal services and education to underserved communities in GeorgiaOur Vision
Wills for the People envisions a Georgia where underserved communities have the tools to protect their assets and grow generational wealth, and where skilled and culturally responsive estate planning legal services are accessible to all who need it.- Source: Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund
- In Atlanta, white residents have a median net worth of 46x that of Black residents. Black residents median net worth $5,180.00. Median net worth of white residents $238,355.00.Source: Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund
- With our customized and accessible services, together we can plan the future with ease.
We Are Your Partners in Advancing Racial Wealth Equity For Underseved Communities
Centuries of interpersonal, institutional, and systemic exploitation and oppression upon poor communities and communities of color has resulted in Black communities having less wealth than their white counterparts.
This disparity means less money in pockets and makes vital services inaccessible to some. Services like healthcare, education, and legal services. In this regard, Whitney Knox Lee launched Wills for the People to be an accessible tool for underserved communities with modest means to plan for their legacy and protect their assets.
Our Personal Touch
Intentional
We are strategic in our legal support, advising you on appropriate ways to protect your assets, pass wealth, and avoid creating heirs property.
Culturally Responsive
We acknowledge cultural differences in planning for death, and are responsive to the needs and considerations important in your culture.
Accessible
We prioritize keeping legal fees below market rate so that we can partner with Black communities, comunities of color, and families with less wealth.
Transformative
We collaborate with fractured families and communities to transform conflict relating to an estate. We support healing and reconciliation.
Our Team
Whitney Knox Lee
CEO/Principal Attorney
Whitney Knox Lee (she/her) is an attorney, a mediator, a racial equity consultant, and the host of Impostrix Podcast. As a sibling, daughter, wife, and mother to young children, Whitney intimately understands the importance of estate planning not only as a way to protect assets and pass legacy, but as a way to build generational wealth for the years to come.
Whitney is an accomplished and experienced advocate, having practiced in a wide variety of legal matters over the past 10 years. Community, dignity and self-determination are the main values that drive her. Her work is always aimed at dismantling systems of opression and challenging injustices. Whitney began her career at Georgia Legal Services Program in Albany, GA, where she practiced in disability law, landlord/tenant law, family law, elder law and estate planning. After moving to Atlanta, Whitney joined the Southern Center for Human Rights where she advocated on behalf of incarcerated individuals experiencing civil rights violations in Georgia and Alabama facilities.
Additionally, Whitney is a court certified general civil mediator in the state of Georgia. Whitney is also certified in transformative mediation, an empowering and relational approach to conflict resolution.
Whitney is a longstanding member of the Georgia Association of Black Woman Attorneys (GABWA) and serves as the chair of the Woman 2 Woman mentorship program. She volunteers at local legal clinics and volunteers annually at Black Women Will, a free wills clinic for Black Women in Atlanta.
Our Services
Culturally responsive estate planning that advances racial wealth equity.
Wills and Trusts
We work with you create wills and trusts that meet your unique needs.
Power of Attorney
Need someone else to act on your behalf? Let us draft the Power of Attorney for you.
Estate Planning for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs need estate and succession planning too! Let us walk the journey with you.
Mediation
Through mediation, we work with all parties to acheive understanding and empowerment, and to find solutions.
Last Will and Testament
What is a will?
A will is a legal document that communicates how a person's assets should be distributed after death. A will identifies what is in the estate, the person responsible for carrying out the wishes in the will (an "executor"), and the heirs to the estate. Having a will can reduce the possibility of disputes among beneficiaries and protects a persons right to choose what should happen with their estate after death.
How we help.
We strategize with you on the best ways to actualize your goals are for your estate, for your family, and for your community. We give you legal advice that's appropriate for your specific needs then draft a watertight legal document for you taking into consideration your beneficiaries, assets and wishes.
What happens when one dies without a will?
When one dies without a will, otherwise refered to as dying "intestate", the intestate laws of succession apply. In this regard, property passes to your closest living relatives (even if you are estranged from them, don't know them, the relative doesn't have capacity to own an asset, or don't want them to inherit) and leaves out causes you love and other people you care about. In other words, you lose your right to choose what happens with your estate if you pass away without a will. Additionally, dying without a will can create heirs property by dividing property amongst many different heirs who would all own the property.
Trusts
What is a Trust?
In simple terms, a Trust is a fiduciary arrangement where a person ("Grantor") wanting to leave assets to another person ("Beneficiary") grants legal responsibility to a third party ("Trustee") to hold property on behalf of a beneficiary or beneficiaries for a specified period of time and/or a specified purpose. In some instances, the grantor can also be the trustee.
Why are Trusts Important?
Trusts are necessary for a variety of reasons including tax planning, asset protection, estate planning, medical planning and investment protection, among others. Trusts are common tools for business owners but are also helpful if a would-be beneficiary is disabled or under 18 years old. Property held in trust is legally protected.
What types of Trusts exist?
There are mainly 3 types of trusts: revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts and testamentary trusts.
Need help determining whether your estate plan needs a trust? Contact us for a free consultation to go over your goals and your options.
Power of Attorney Documents
What is a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney ("POA") is a legal document where one person (the "principal") gives another (the "agent") the legal authority to act on their behalf in certain instances. For example, when you are incapacitated, a health care power of attorney may come in handy because it allows another person to make health care related decisions for you. POAs have many names including "Advance Directive," "Durable Power of Attorney," and "Living Will." We draft different types of POAs, as listed below, to suit your needs.
Forms of Power of Attorney
Health Care Power of Attorney
A health care power of attorney gives another person the permison to make decisions about your medical care in the event you are unable to make such decisions for yourself. This is also known as a "Living Will," an "Advance Directive for Health Care," or a "Durable Power of Attorney."
Financial Power of Attorney
With a financial Power of Attorney, you grant another person legal authority to make finacial decisons on your behalf.
Mental Health Power of Attorney (Psychiatric Advance Directive)
This gives you the opportunity to appoint an agent to to make furture decisions around your psychiatric care, such as admitting you into a facility and accepting certain treatments
Tier 1 - $545.00+*
Standard Will
(1) electronic questionnaire
(2) 45min virtual 1:1 meeting to review drafted document
(3) In-person review and execution
1 revision within 30 days of execution, added fee for repeat notary.
Tier 2 - $750.00+*
Standard Will
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Financial Power of Attorney
(1) electronic questionnaires
(2) 60min virtual 1:1 review
of drafted documents
(3) In-person review and execution
1 revision per document within 30 days of execution
Revisions to be completed at the same time
Added fee for repeat notary
Tier 3 - $1369.00+*
Standard Will
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Financial Power of Attorney
Revocable or Testamentary Trust
(1) electronic questionnaires
(2) 90min virtual 1:1 review of drafted documents,
(3) In-person review and execution
(4) 2-hour Trust Support (I.e. transferring title(s)
of assets to trust)
1 revision per document within 30 days of execution
(to be completed at the same time), added fee for
repeat notary.
Financial Power of Attorney - $124.99 Healthcare Power of Attorney - $155 Revocable or Testamentary Trust - $600+ Qualified Income Trust - $700+
Review and Interpretation of Current Valid Will or Trust (60Min) - $200 Mediation - $200pp/hr + $100/day administrative fee. 3hr minimum
- The Fine Print
- *Package rates are available to families with under $750k in assets (i.e. real or personal property, stock, bank accounts, vehicles, etc.). Families over this threshold will be assessed at market rate.
- All packages come with a free consultation phone call where we will discuss appropriate estate planning tools to meet your goals.
- Included Fees: All service fees include 3% credit/debit card transaction fee. Tiered packages include notary fee. If revisions are needed after signing and execution of documents, an additional fee will be assessed to cover the cost of the notary's travel and time.
- Travel Outside of Metro Alanta is available and charged at the federal mileage rate. Alternatively, packages can be drafted via virtual meetings and documents mailed to client for client to execute on their own. In most cases, client will be responsible for locating and paying notary.
- There are no refunds on services once service is complete.
Legal Definitions
Agent
A person authorized to act on behalf of another person.
Conservator A guardian appointed by law to manange as well as protect a person's property and financial affairs due to the person's physical or mental challenges that make it impossible for them to do so adequately.
Estate Refers to the process of determining and actualizing how one's estate should be managed, transferred and preserved.
Estate PlanningRefers to the process of determining and actualizing how one's estate should be managed, transferred and preserved.
ExecutorAn executor on an estate is a person who is appointed to run the estate of the deceased. GuardianA guardian is a person who has the legal authority to take responsibility for another who does not have the capacity to meet their own needs. Heirs PropertyProperty passed on from generation to generation with or without a will. Results in many people owning one property and may impede the ability to qualify for government disaster assistance, rehabilitation loans, to use the property as security for a loan, to, mortgage, or lease the property. IntestateUsed to refer to a person who died without a will. Joint Tenants with Right of SurvivorshipThese are people in a legal arrangement where they own property together. In this arrangement, they have equal rights and obligations.
Conservator A guardian appointed by law to manange as well as protect a person's property and financial affairs due to the person's physical or mental challenges that make it impossible for them to do so adequately.
Estate Refers to the process of determining and actualizing how one's estate should be managed, transferred and preserved.
Estate PlanningRefers to the process of determining and actualizing how one's estate should be managed, transferred and preserved.
ExecutorAn executor on an estate is a person who is appointed to run the estate of the deceased. GuardianA guardian is a person who has the legal authority to take responsibility for another who does not have the capacity to meet their own needs. Heirs PropertyProperty passed on from generation to generation with or without a will. Results in many people owning one property and may impede the ability to qualify for government disaster assistance, rehabilitation loans, to use the property as security for a loan, to, mortgage, or lease the property. IntestateUsed to refer to a person who died without a will. Joint Tenants with Right of SurvivorshipThese are people in a legal arrangement where they own property together. In this arrangement, they have equal rights and obligations.
They could be business partners, friends, or maried couples. When one tenant dies, their ownership interest transfers to surviving co-tenant(s).
Per StirpesIn Latin, Per Stirpes means, "by stalk", "by branch" or "by roots." In estate planning, this means that a beneficiary's heirs will receive the beneficiary's inheritance, should the beneficiary die before the testator.
PrincipalIn an agency arrangment, a principal is the person/entity that appoints another (agent) to act on their behalf.
Probate an EstateThis is the administration of a deceased's estate.
Successor AgentThis is the person named as an alternative agent for backup in case the first name agent/primary agent is not able to perform their duties either because of death or otherwise incapacitated.
Tenants in CommonThis is a shared tenancy arrangement where two or more parties own interests in the same property. The difference between a joint tenancy with right of survivorship and a tenancy in common is that with tenants in common, when a co-tenant dies their ownership interests is passed to their heirs through a will and probate or laws of intestacy.
TitleHaving a title to property means that you have the legal right to a piece of property. This actual ownership appears on a deed, court order, or other legal document and is available in public records.
PrincipalIn an agency arrangment, a principal is the person/entity that appoints another (agent) to act on their behalf.
Probate an EstateThis is the administration of a deceased's estate.
Successor AgentThis is the person named as an alternative agent for backup in case the first name agent/primary agent is not able to perform their duties either because of death or otherwise incapacitated.
Tenants in CommonThis is a shared tenancy arrangement where two or more parties own interests in the same property. The difference between a joint tenancy with right of survivorship and a tenancy in common is that with tenants in common, when a co-tenant dies their ownership interests is passed to their heirs through a will and probate or laws of intestacy.
TitleHaving a title to property means that you have the legal right to a piece of property. This actual ownership appears on a deed, court order, or other legal document and is available in public records.
FAQs
I don’t live in Georgia, can I still hire you?
It depends. Do you have real property (land or a home) in Georgia? Are you an heir to property in Georgia? Schedule a consultation, lets chat.
Why have we chosen this business model? Most Black residents in Atlanta and many Black Georgian’s cannot afford to pay market price for legal services including estate planning. We should not allow this to be a barrier to building generational wealth.
In Georgia, white households have 8x the wealth of Black households. In Atlanta, Black residents have a median net worth of $5,180.00 compared to white residents median net worth of $238,355.00. This means that white residents have 46x the wealth of Black residents. What's more, it is estimated that 63% of Black residents in Atlanta do not have at least $2,000.00 saved for emergencies.
Capitalism demands charging fees that the market will support. At Wills for the People, we do things differently. To be accessible to families with modest means, we keep our prices below market rate. Why? First we recognize that the market we serve, Black and other underserved communities, cannot afford market rate legal fees. Second, we acknowledge that racial wealth and income disparities are a deliberate function of historic and present day policy decisions. The result of which is disproportionate economic advantage and opportunity for white communities while functionally sabotaging Black communities. And third, we intentionally align our business model (and how we make money) with our purpose, our values, and with the needs of communities.
In other words, we walk the walk.
Who are “underserved communities”? The mission of Wills for the People is to advance racial wealth equity. To do this, we aim to serve Black people, people from the African diaspora, descendants of enslaved people, Indigenous people, people of color, and immigrants to the United States. I am not a person of color, can I still hire Wills for the People? Your business is welcome, and we appreciate your support of Black businesses and your support of our mission to advance racial wealth equity here in Georgia.
My assets total more than $750k, can I still hire Wills for the People? Absolutely. Our listed package rates are applicable only to clients who have under $750,000 in assets. Those with more than this amount will be billed market rate. Please schedule a consultation to discuss the fee.
Can I choose multiple heirs for my property? You may, but it gets complicated very quickly. Ideally you would not leave real property (a house or land) to more than two people. This is because if those people don’t agree as to what to do with the property, it is a headache for everyone involved and may cause fracturing in the family. This is what creates “Heirs Property.” Creating heirs property should be avoided because ownership to title in these circumstances can be weak and not marketable. Ultimately, without marketable title property owners are limited in what they can do with the property including selling, mortgaging, leasing, qualifying for disaster assistance and rehabilitation funding, etc.
What happens if I die without a will? Your estate will be divided according to the intestate laws of Georgia. If you have no living relatives, your estate will go to the state.
Do I need a will? Everyone needs a will, even if you do not currently own property. You may inherit property or be a tenant in common of a property you didn't know about. Having a will lowers your chance of being caught in the web of heirs property and allows you to direct future assets. Other things to consider when determining whether you need a will include: Do you own real property (land or house) or personal property (vehicle, trailer, jewelry)? Do you have monetary assets? Do you want to choose how your estate is distributed? Are you estranged from your family? Do you want to disinherit someone? Do you want to leave a gift to a charity? Do you have minor children? Do you have incapacitated children? Do you have 7 living children? Do they have children? These answers matter for your estate plan. Schedule a consultation for clarity on whether a will would be helpful for you.
Can I make a will on my own? Yep, sure can. The benefit of hiring Wills for the People is that you will have professional support from a licensed attorney who can answer your questions and help you to establish an estate plan that is right for you.
What is probate? Probate is the legal process through which an estate is dissolved and distributed. Most estates in Georgia will need to go through the probate process, even if a person dies without a will. Probate can be costly and time consuming but having an estate plan can help lessen the expenses and in some cases of some trusts, allow property to be transferred to beneficiaries without probate. What is the market rate for estate planning legal services? In Georgia, simple will’s prepared by an attorney can range in price but generally start at $1500. The market hourly rate for an attorney varies greatly by practice area and case type, years of experience, expertise, firm size, etc.
What happens after I pay? Your funds will go directly into an IOLTA account (a trust account) owned by Wills for the People. Wills for the People become a fiduciary of these funds until we have earned the funds by completing the service. Once the service is completed, the funds are released to Wills for the People as payment for services rendered.
What is the refund policy? Once services are completed there are no refunds. No exceptions will be made. Depending on the service selected, there may be a short period of time during which Wills for the People will make one complimentary revision per document. Fees will be assessed for any additional revisions.
Do I get to meet with you in person? Yes. Our work together will start virtual and will include video or phone calls and email communication. If you have chosen to execute the documents in-person, you will meet with your attorney at an office location to execute the documents. If you prefer to have the documents executed on your own (sometimes requiring a notary, always requiring at least one witness), we will send you the documents via email or mail and we will not meet in person. For clients outside of metro-Atlanta, additional fees may apply to cover the cost of travel. Is Wills for the People a non-profit organization? No, we are not. Wills for the People is a passion project of Whitney Knox Lee. Attorney Knox Lee works approximately half-time on this project and splits the remainder of her time in her consulting practice and working on Impostrix Podcast. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Why have we chosen this business model? Most Black residents in Atlanta and many Black Georgian’s cannot afford to pay market price for legal services including estate planning. We should not allow this to be a barrier to building generational wealth.
In Georgia, white households have 8x the wealth of Black households. In Atlanta, Black residents have a median net worth of $5,180.00 compared to white residents median net worth of $238,355.00. This means that white residents have 46x the wealth of Black residents. What's more, it is estimated that 63% of Black residents in Atlanta do not have at least $2,000.00 saved for emergencies.
Capitalism demands charging fees that the market will support. At Wills for the People, we do things differently. To be accessible to families with modest means, we keep our prices below market rate. Why? First we recognize that the market we serve, Black and other underserved communities, cannot afford market rate legal fees. Second, we acknowledge that racial wealth and income disparities are a deliberate function of historic and present day policy decisions. The result of which is disproportionate economic advantage and opportunity for white communities while functionally sabotaging Black communities. And third, we intentionally align our business model (and how we make money) with our purpose, our values, and with the needs of communities.
In other words, we walk the walk.
Who are “underserved communities”? The mission of Wills for the People is to advance racial wealth equity. To do this, we aim to serve Black people, people from the African diaspora, descendants of enslaved people, Indigenous people, people of color, and immigrants to the United States. I am not a person of color, can I still hire Wills for the People? Your business is welcome, and we appreciate your support of Black businesses and your support of our mission to advance racial wealth equity here in Georgia.
My assets total more than $750k, can I still hire Wills for the People? Absolutely. Our listed package rates are applicable only to clients who have under $750,000 in assets. Those with more than this amount will be billed market rate. Please schedule a consultation to discuss the fee.
Can I choose multiple heirs for my property? You may, but it gets complicated very quickly. Ideally you would not leave real property (a house or land) to more than two people. This is because if those people don’t agree as to what to do with the property, it is a headache for everyone involved and may cause fracturing in the family. This is what creates “Heirs Property.” Creating heirs property should be avoided because ownership to title in these circumstances can be weak and not marketable. Ultimately, without marketable title property owners are limited in what they can do with the property including selling, mortgaging, leasing, qualifying for disaster assistance and rehabilitation funding, etc.
What happens if I die without a will? Your estate will be divided according to the intestate laws of Georgia. If you have no living relatives, your estate will go to the state.
Do I need a will? Everyone needs a will, even if you do not currently own property. You may inherit property or be a tenant in common of a property you didn't know about. Having a will lowers your chance of being caught in the web of heirs property and allows you to direct future assets. Other things to consider when determining whether you need a will include: Do you own real property (land or house) or personal property (vehicle, trailer, jewelry)? Do you have monetary assets? Do you want to choose how your estate is distributed? Are you estranged from your family? Do you want to disinherit someone? Do you want to leave a gift to a charity? Do you have minor children? Do you have incapacitated children? Do you have 7 living children? Do they have children? These answers matter for your estate plan. Schedule a consultation for clarity on whether a will would be helpful for you.
Can I make a will on my own? Yep, sure can. The benefit of hiring Wills for the People is that you will have professional support from a licensed attorney who can answer your questions and help you to establish an estate plan that is right for you.
What is probate? Probate is the legal process through which an estate is dissolved and distributed. Most estates in Georgia will need to go through the probate process, even if a person dies without a will. Probate can be costly and time consuming but having an estate plan can help lessen the expenses and in some cases of some trusts, allow property to be transferred to beneficiaries without probate. What is the market rate for estate planning legal services? In Georgia, simple will’s prepared by an attorney can range in price but generally start at $1500. The market hourly rate for an attorney varies greatly by practice area and case type, years of experience, expertise, firm size, etc.
What happens after I pay? Your funds will go directly into an IOLTA account (a trust account) owned by Wills for the People. Wills for the People become a fiduciary of these funds until we have earned the funds by completing the service. Once the service is completed, the funds are released to Wills for the People as payment for services rendered.
What is the refund policy? Once services are completed there are no refunds. No exceptions will be made. Depending on the service selected, there may be a short period of time during which Wills for the People will make one complimentary revision per document. Fees will be assessed for any additional revisions.
Do I get to meet with you in person? Yes. Our work together will start virtual and will include video or phone calls and email communication. If you have chosen to execute the documents in-person, you will meet with your attorney at an office location to execute the documents. If you prefer to have the documents executed on your own (sometimes requiring a notary, always requiring at least one witness), we will send you the documents via email or mail and we will not meet in person. For clients outside of metro-Atlanta, additional fees may apply to cover the cost of travel. Is Wills for the People a non-profit organization? No, we are not. Wills for the People is a passion project of Whitney Knox Lee. Attorney Knox Lee works approximately half-time on this project and splits the remainder of her time in her consulting practice and working on Impostrix Podcast. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Ready to Plan Your Estate?
Get in touch with us! We will respond within 48 hours.
Phone
(770) 203-2047
Address
8735 Dunwoody Place, #4958
Atlanta, GA 30350
THIS INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT IS TEMPORARY UNAVAILABLE