Atticus, a probate & estate settlement app founded by Campbell Trust graduate Ben Hopf (‘10 BBA, ‘11 MBA) was recently recognized as a finalist within the App category of Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards. Atticus also received an honorable mention for being one of the world’s “On the Rise” businesses. The 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards feature winners selected by a panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters from a pool of more than 4,000 entries across the globe, from Brazil to Denmark to Vietnam.
Led and backed by graduates of Campbell’s Trust & Wealth Management program, Atticus was founded in 2018 to help families and their advisors navigate the overwhelming burden of settling a loved one’s estate.
“Coming from the trust and financial industry I saw firsthand the frustration many families go through when navigating the unavoidable responsibilities following the loss of a loved one,” said Ben Hopf, Atticus CEO. “There were no good solutions I could offer them, and I thought something needed to be done about it.”
The first and only mobile app designed for probate and estate settlement, Atticus combines powerful technology with intuitive user experiences to save time and money, as families and their advisors navigate the estate settlement and inheritance process together.
Without Atticus, the typical family spends an average of 513 hours and $14,225 over the course of 12+ months working to interpret one’s wishes, close financial accounts, manage distribution of assets and coordinate ongoing communication across family members, often with many advisors involved. Atticus drives transparency and affordability while serving clients across the U.S. and Canada.
“Serving others, paying meticulous attention to detail and having the mindset of a true fiduciary are deeply ingrained in our 2,000+ graduates,” said Jimmy Witherspoon, Chairman of Campbell University’s Trust and Wealth Management program. “A well thought out product and comprehensive estate settlement platform like Atticus is a glorious example of both product innovation at its finest and the thoughtful use of cutting edge technology, all designed to help families in need during a critical time.”
Witherspoon says that Campbell’s program is “always looking for the next generation of students who, like Ben Hopf, want to live a ‘purpose filled life’ and serve others as true stewards in the finest sense.”
Hopf believes that the company’s emphasis on stewardship and service is a direct result of the culture instilled through Campbell’s trust program and continued partnership with the Trust Education Foundation. “After all, the nature of a fiduciary isn’t something that’s just learned— it’s a mindset that’s demonstrated, tested and enduringly earned” — says Hopf. “And none demonstrate that better than Campbell’s Trust & Wealth Management alumni.”
Hopf continues, “At Atticus, we believe everyone leaves a legacy. We’re passionate about our mission to modernize and empower all families to navigate this process more easily and affordably.”
The recognition by Fast Company is a testament to the growing demand for the services provided by Atticus. The typical struggles associated with the formal probate and estate settlement process were exacerbated by the spread of COVID-19, which forced many consumers to seek online solutions in settling the estates of loved ones. Hopf says that his team is “humbled to be recognized among the likes of innovators and teams impacting the world as we continue to drive empowerment, transparency and harmony into a process that has historically been known to create friction and stress among surviving family members.”
About Atticus
Atticus is a fintech company committed to empowering families through the process of bringing a close to the financial life of a loved one. It’s groundbreaking probate & estate settlement product is a comprehensive, all-in-one platform that combines personalized guidance with intuitive, easy-to-use tools allowing families and their advisors to save time and money by navigating the estate settlement and inheritance process together. Atticus is available nationally across the United States and Canada, and is backed by a passionate team of industry experts including tax, legal, financial and fiduciary professionals.
To learn more about how Atticus is reimagining the way families navigate legacy, visit us at weareatticus.com or follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/weareatticus.