Nearly 70 percent of Americans don’t have a will or broader legacy plan — leaving their assets and loved ones vulnerable to uncertainty. The Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), operated by Neighborhood Allies in partnership with Allegheny County Department of Human Services, the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund), and Advantage Credit Counseling Service, is working to change that.
Free Legacy Planning Services Now Available
Through this new initiative, residents can now receive free, one-on-one legacy planning support to help them take simple but powerful steps to protect their financial futures — like adding beneficiaries to accounts and creating essential documents such as wills and powers of attorney.
Appointments are available at no cost through the Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center.
➡️ Visit www.myfinancialpower.org
or call 1-800-298-0237 to schedule.
Why Legacy Planning Matters
Most people own at least one valuable asset — a home, a bank account, or a retirement plan — but haven’t taken the steps to ensure those assets are protected and passed down as intended. Legacy planning empowers families to preserve their hard-earned assets, avoid unnecessary legal challenges, and create long-term stability for future generations.
“Every family in Allegheny County, regardless of income level, deserves the peace of mind that comes with planning for the future,” said Erin Dalton, Director, Allegheny County Department of Human Services. “By offering these services for free through the Financial Empowerment Center, we’re helping local families build stability for the future.”
Supporting Long-Term Financial Stability
This expansion builds on the FEC’s mission to provide free professional financial counseling to individuals and families with low to moderate incomes. Since opening in 2019, the Allegheny County FEC has supported more than 3,000 clients, helping them reduce $10 million in debt and build $3 million in savings.
“Financial counseling at the Allegheny County FEC is a major part of our ‘North Star goal’ to move 100,000 low- to moderate-income Pittsburghers up the socio-economic ladder over the next 10 years,” said Presley L. Gillespie, President and CEO of Neighborhood Allies. “Now we’re able to help ensure FEC clients’ gains are protected and sustained over the long term.”
“With the addition of legacy planning services, counselors can now help Allegheny County residents protect and preserve those assets for future generations,” added Jonathan Mintz, President and CEO of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund.
