MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) (“MetLife”) and Bequest, INC (d/b/a Willing), a leading digital estate planning service, today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which MetLife will acquire Willing. This transaction brings new digital capabilities to MetLife and reinforces the company’s commitment to providing simple and easy-to-use benefits that respond to consumer needs.
Willing makes it easy to create a quality estate plan in as little as 15 minutes from anywhere. Since its inception in 2015, Willing has helped more than half a million families create important legal documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
“Willing serves a digitally native audience unlikely to go see an attorney for estate planning services,” said Todd Katz, executive vice president, Group Benefits at MetLife. “Willing complements Hyatt Legal, our existing legal services offering, and positions us to lead the industry by offering customers more choices in how they address their estate planning needs.”
Willing’s services will continue to be offered to consumers online and there are plans in place to make the services available to MetLife’s group customers. The addition of Willing brings new technology capabilities to MetLife.
“Whether you’re on Willing after having a baby, buying a home, or are just planning for the unexpected, our mission has always been about protecting the people you love,” said Eliam Medina, CEO and founder of Willing. “MetLife is a global leader in protection solutions and together we can quickly scale Willing’s technology to make quality estate planning easy and affordable to millions of families.”
The deal is set to close this year and is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals.