At Burt Wealth Advisors, we’ve always believed that technology should enhance, not replace, the human touch in financial planning. A recent experience reminded me just how powerful that combination can be.
While reviewing a client’s estate documents using FP Alpha, I noticed something unusual. The platform’s estate planning module, which scans and analyzes legal documents, flagged an inconsistency in the Trust document.
At first glance, it seemed minor—just a few words in a clause that didn’t quite match. But FP Alpha’s detailed analysis pointed out that this small difference could create a $1,000,000 problem at the client’s death.
Specifically, the trust language was conflicting. The specific bequest to charity stated “One million dollars ($500,000).” FP Alpha flagged the discrepancy and created a footnote in the estate summary as follows: *ATTORNEY REVIEW REQUIRED – THERE APPEARS TO BE A DISCREPANCY IN THE BEQUEST— THE AMOUNT IS STATED AS ONE MILLION BUT DEFINED AS 500,000*. To make matters worse, this error was duplicated for another charity.
Because of this insight, I brought the finding to the client’s attention and coordinated a discussion with their estate attorney. In short order, the documents were redrafted to ensure the client’s estate plan accurately reflected their goals.
Without FP Alpha’s automated review, this discrepancy might have gone unnoticed. Instead, the combination of advanced technology and careful advisor oversight allowed us to protect the client’s intent, avoid future disputes, and ensure their legacy will be carried out exactly as they envisioned.
Tools like FP Alpha don’t replace the role of a trusted advisor; they amplify an advisor’s ability to serve clients. Integrating AI-driven insights into our review process helps us spot potential issues sooner, ask better questions, and work more effectively with our clients’ other trusted professionals, like attorneys and CPAs.
In the end, this experience was a reminder that the right technology, in the right hands, can make all the difference.
About the Author
Fred Cornelius, CFP® is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Burt Wealth Advisors, where he specializes in comprehensive financial planning and multigenerational wealth strategies. With over a decade of experience advising high-net-worth families, Fred is passionate about integrating estate, tax, and investment planning to help clients achieve their long-term goals. He brings a thoughtful, data-driven approach to every client relationship, grounded in a deep commitment to fiduciary care and continuous learning.
