An American legacy planning technology service has launched in the UK after securing the backing of investors and users across the USA and Canada.
LifeVault™ has been developed by technology company Empathy and provides digital estate and legacy planning alongside educational resources to “help people understand their options and make informed decisions”.
The company has been backed to the tune of $162m by venture firms including Index Ventures, General Catalyst, Adams Street Partners, alongside strategic investments from global financial institutions. Users are able to create and update legal documents, including wills, powers of attorney and funeral wishes, with guidance on signing, witnessing and registering them where appropriate. Users can also organise information about property, pensions, bank accounts, and other assets, and give trusted contacts permission to access these details when needed.
The platform also offers tools to help families leave messages about their wishes, values and legacy with via a private, AI-guided space. A “Legacy Letters” feature allows users to securely preserve the personal messages and memories that live outside legal documents said the platform.
Clare Dodd, UK General Manager at Empathy, said: “Planning for the future is one of the most important things we can do for the people we love, but too often we put these decisions off as they feel overwhelming, expensive and complicated. The result is that around two thirds of UK adults don’t have a will, leaving many families unprepared for what comes next. Yet taking the time to plan ahead can make a lasting difference to the people we leave behind.
“LifeVault is designed to remove those barriers, making legacy planning easier and more accessible, so people can prepare for the future with confidence, giving families greater clarity and certainty when it matters most.”
LifeVault added its initial success had been built on relationships with insurers, financial institutions and employers in North America, including Kellanova, and New York Life Insurance.
