Law Giant's Expansion Targets America's Estate Planning Gap

ST. LOUIS, MO – May 13, 2026 – In a move that highlights a significant gap in the financial preparedness of American families, Cordell & Cordell, the nation’s largest family law firm, has announced a major expansion of its estate planning services. Just one year after its launch, the service now spans 12 states and 18 cities, making professional guidance accessible to nearly half the U.S. population. This rapid growth is a direct response to a startling reality: a recent study reveals that only 24% of Americans have a will, leaving the vast majority unprepared for life’s most certain events.

The expansion into new states like Arizona, Georgia, and Indiana, alongside new offices in major metro areas such as Dallas, Indianapolis, and Phoenix, underscores a deliberate strategy to address a nationwide issue with profound personal and financial consequences.

A Nation Unprepared: The High Cost of Procrastination

For most Americans, estate planning remains a task perpetually relegated to "someday." The primary barrier, according to extensive consumer research, is simple procrastination. This is often coupled with a common misconception that one needs significant wealth to warrant a plan. However, legal and financial experts warn this belief is dangerously misguided. Anyone with a savings account, a home, a spouse, or children has an estate that requires direction.

Without a formal plan—such as a will, trust, or healthcare directive—individuals leave their loved ones in a vulnerable position, forced to navigate complex legal systems during a time of grief. The consequences are not just emotional but starkly financial. The lack of clear, documented wishes funnels families into the probate court system, a process that is often public, time-consuming, and expensive. It is estimated that Americans spend approximately $2 billion annually on probate, with a staggering $1.5 billion of that sum consumed by attorney fees and administrative court costs.

This multi-billion-dollar cost represents money that could have remained with families, supported children, or funded retirements. Instead, it is spent untangling assets and navigating legal challenges that proactive planning could have easily prevented. The absence of a plan also opens the door to family disputes over assets and, more distressingly, over healthcare decisions and the guardianship of minor children, turning a personal tragedy into a prolonged legal conflict.

A Strategic Play in the Legal Market

Cordell & Cordell’s aggressive expansion into this underserved market is a calculated business move. By leveraging its extensive, pre-existing network of family law offices built over 35 years, the firm has achieved a scale in just twelve months that would take a new practice decades to build. Launching from its Missouri headquarters in April 2025, the firm’s estate planning division now has a presence in major states from Florida and Texas to Pennsylvania and Ohio.

This strategic diversification from family law to estate planning is a natural synergy. Clients undergoing major life changes like divorce or remarriage—the core business of a family law firm—are in immediate need of updating or creating estate plans. By offering these services in-house, the firm can provide a continuum of care, capturing a client for life's legal needs rather than just a single event.

The model allows the firm to offer trusted, localized guidance at a scale competitors may find difficult to match. The addition of new offices in Independence, Ohio; Peoria, Arizona; Alpharetta, Georgia; and Orlando, Florida, demonstrates a methodical approach to penetrating key demographic areas. This isn't just about adding dots on a map; it's about establishing a physical presence in communities where the need is high, effectively transforming a national brand into a local resource. The firm has indicated that further expansion is expected before the end of the year to keep pace with strong demand.

Lowering the Barrier to Entry for Families

A key part of addressing the national planning deficit is demystifying the process. Cordell & Cordell's approach focuses on making estate planning accessible, understandable, and affordable, shifting the perception of it from an intimidating legal ordeal to a practical step for family protection. The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services, including the creation of wills and trusts, durable powers of attorney for financial matters, healthcare directives (living wills), and strategies for asset protection.

"With this expansion, Cordell & Cordell is making estate planning services accessible to more Americans, so you can stay in control of decisions about your assets and protect your family while avoiding unnecessary costs and court involvement,” said John Sauter, Senior Estate Planning Attorney at Cordell & Cordell, in the company's announcement. “This isn't just about preparing documents; it’s about the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a plan in place that protects your property and your loved ones from an uncertain future.”

By delivering guidance in plain language and offering clear, step-by-step processes, the firm aims to dismantle the psychological barriers that fuel procrastination. This educational approach helps individuals understand that an estate plan is not merely about dictating who gets what; it is a powerful tool for maintaining control over one's own medical care, providing for minor children, protecting assets from creditors, and ensuring a smooth transition for the next generation. As more legal providers recognize this vast, unmet need, the industry may be shifting toward a model where proactive planning is positioned not as a luxury for the few, but an essential service for all.