Question 1

Do I need an attorney for my estate plan in California?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we strongly recommend working with a licensed California estate planning attorney to create legally binding documents. Stuce helps you organize all your information beforehand, which can cut your attorney consultation time by 50-80% and save thousands in legal fees.

Question 2

How much does Stuce cost?

Accepted Answer

Stuce is free to start. You can organize your entire estate information package at no cost. There are no hidden fees or subscriptions. Update your information anytime, forever.

Question 3

What's included in the estate plan package?

Accepted Answer

Your package includes organized information about your assets, beneficiaries, guardianship preferences, healthcare directives, power of attorney wishes, and more. This attorney-ready package covers all aspects needed for wills, trusts, and estate planning in California.

Question 4

Can I use Stuce with any California estate planning attorney?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Stuce creates a universal information package that works with any estate planning attorney, law firm, or legal service in California. You're not locked into any specific provider - choose the attorney that's right for you.

Question 5

How long does it take to complete the questionnaire?

Accepted Answer

Most people complete the guided questionnaire in 15-20 minutes. You can save your progress and return anytime. The comprehensive format ensures you don't miss critical details that attorneys need.

Question 6

Is my information secure?

Accepted Answer

Stuce uses AES-256-GCM encryption for your data at rest and TLS 1.2+ in transit. Row-level security scopes every read to your account, every access is logged, and you control which family members and professionals can see your plan. Our security is built on SOC 2-aligned controls — least-privilege access, audit logging, and encryption at every layer.

Question 7

Is Stuce SOC 2 or HIPAA certified?

Accepted Answer

We don't claim certifications we don't hold. Stuce is built on the controls a SOC 2 program is founded on — least-privilege access, audit logging on every access, and AES-256-GCM encryption at every layer — and a formal SOC 2 Type II audit is on our roadmap. We won't advertise the certification until we've earned it. On HIPAA: Stuce is an organization and preparation tool, not a healthcare provider or insurer, so HIPAA's covered-entity rules don't apply to us. Any health information in your advance directives still gets the exact same encryption and access controls as everything else in your plan.

Question 8

Stuce is in active development — what does that mean for my plan?

Accepted Answer

Stuce is early-access software, so we're actively improving it and some features or formats may change as we go. What never changes: your information is encrypted, it belongs to you, and you can export your organized package as a PDF anytime. Stuce is the place to gather and organize everything — your licensed attorney creates and executes the binding legal documents. Because the execution happens with your attorney, your estate plan never depends on Stuce staying exactly as it is today. We'll always give you a clean, portable copy to take with you.

Question 9

What estate planning documents do I need in California?

Accepted Answer

Most California estate plans include: Last Will and Testament, Living Trust (revocable trust), Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Healthcare Directive (living will), and HIPAA Authorization. Stuce helps you prepare information for all of these documents.

Question 10

Do I need a living trust in California?

Accepted Answer

Living trusts help California families avoid probate, which can take 12-18 months and cost 3-7% of your estate value. While not required, trusts are recommended for estates over $184,500 (California's probate threshold). Consult with an attorney to determine what's best for your situation.

Build Your Estate Plan Package in 15 Minutes

What You'll Get

Complete Estate Questionnaire

Attorney-Ready Package

Strong Encryption

How It Works

Why Choose Stuce?

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