Who we are
Next Steps After Loss is a small, Alabama-based business that provides educational and organizational support to families dealing with probate and related issues after a loved one dies.
I am not a law firm and I do not provide legal advice.
For questions about this Privacy Policy, you can contact me at:
- Email: Support@NextStepsAfterLoss.com
What this policy covers
This policy explains:
- What information I collect
- How I use that information
- When I may share it
- How it’s protected
- Your choices about your information
It applies to:
- Visitors to nextstepsafterloss.com
- People who submit a contact form or intake form
- People who purchase services or communicate with me by email or phone
Information you provide to me
I collect information that you voluntarily provide, including:
1. Contact and basic information
When you use the Contact & Get Started form, request information, or email me, you may provide:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- County in Alabama
- Basic details about your situation and family
- Which service you’re interested in (DIY kit, Companion Call, Full Companion, etc.)
2. Intake / questionnaire information
If you choose to work with me, you may provide more detailed information about:
- Who passed away and when
- Basic family relationships (spouse, children, siblings, etc.)
- High-level information about assets (house, bank accounts, vehicles, etc.)
- High-level information about debts or issues (creditors, possible foreclosure, disputes, etc.)
This information is used to help me understand your situation and create educational and organizational materials for you (checklists, next-steps plans, draft letters, etc.).
3. Payment information
If you pay for a service (such as a DIY kit or a Companion Call), your payment is processed through a third-party payment processor (Stripe or PayPal). I do not receive or store your full credit card number.
I may receive limited information from the payment processor, such as:
- Your name
- Email address
- Billing address (if provided)
- The amount and date of the transaction
Information collected automatically
Like most websites, certain technical information may be collected automatically when you visit the Site. This may include:
- Your IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device type
- Pages you visit on the Site
- Date and time of your visit
- The website that referred you here (if any)
This information is generally collected using standard tools such as server logs and (if enabled) basic analytics. It is used to understand how people use the Site and to improve it over time. It is not used to personally identify you by name.
How I use your information
I use the information I collect for purposes such as:
- Communicating with you
- Responding to questions or messages you send
- Scheduling calls or sessions
- Sending you information you requested
- Providing services you request
- Reviewing your situation and intake information
- Preparing checklists, next-steps plans, and draft letters/emails
- Following up with you about your selected service
- Operating and improving the Site
- Understanding which pages people visit
- Improving content, layout, and user experience
- Maintaining security and preventing misuse
- Administrative purposes
- Processing payments (via third-party processors)
- Keeping basic records for accounting and tax compliance
- Keeping track of referrals and partner relationships, if applicable
I do not sell your personal information to data brokers or marketers.
How information may be shared
I treat the information you share with me as private and sensitive. I may share it in limited circumstances:
1. Service providers
I may use third-party service providers to help operate the Site and deliver services, such as:
- Website hosting
- Email services
- Payment processors (e.g., Stripe or similar)
- Scheduling tools (e.g., Calendly or similar)
- Form or survey tools
These providers only receive the information needed to perform their services and are expected to protect it.
2. With your consent
If you ask or authorize me to share information (for example, to help you connect with an attorney or other professional), I will share only what is reasonably necessary to fulfill that request.
3. Legal and safety reasons
I may share information if:
- Required by law, regulation, court order, or legal process
- Necessary to protect my rights, property, or safety, or that of others
- Needed to detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues
Sensitive information
Because this Site deals with loss, estates, and family situations, some of the information you share may feel sensitive.
I ask that you do not send:
- Social Security numbers
- Full bank account numbers
- Driver’s license numbers
- Detailed medical records
If such information is ever mistakenly sent, I will treat it carefully and will not use it for any purpose unrelated to helping you with your requested service, but you should avoid including it whenever possible.
Cookies and tracking
This Site may use “cookies” or similar technologies to:
- Remember basic preferences
- Understand how pages are being used
- Improve performance or security
You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. Some parts of the Site may not work correctly if cookies are disabled.
If I enable additional analytics tools in the future (such as Google Analytics), I may update this section to reflect that.
Data retention
I keep your information only as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Provide the services you requested
- Maintain basic business and tax records
- Comply with legal obligations
- Resolve disputes or enforce agreements
If you have worked with me and later decide you want your information deleted (to the extent I am not legally required to keep it), you can contact me and I will do my best to accommodate that request.
How your information is protected
I use reasonable safeguards to protect the information you share, including:
- Using reputable hosting and service providers
- Limiting access to your information to those who need it for service delivery
- Using secure connections (HTTPS) for the Site
However, no system can guarantee perfect security. You should be careful about what you choose to send over email or through forms, especially if using a shared or public device.
Children’s privacy
This Site is not directed to children under the age of 18, and I do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If I learn that information from a child under 18 has been submitted without a parent or guardian’s consent, I will take reasonable steps to delete it.
Your choices and rights
You have choices about how you interact with this Site and the information you provide:
- You can choose not to submit forms or emails (though that may limit the help I can offer).
- You can request access to, or ask for correction of, certain information you’ve provided.
- You can ask that I delete certain information, subject to legal or business requirements to retain records.
To exercise any of these, email me at Support@NextStepsAfterLoss.com.
If you are located in a region with specific privacy rights (such as the European Union or certain U.S. states with privacy laws), you may have additional rights. You can contact me for more information, and I will do my best to comply with applicable laws.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When I do, I will change the “Last updated” date at the top of this page.
If changes are material, I may also post a notice on the Site or notify you in another appropriate way. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted means you accept the updated policy.
Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, you can contact me at: Support@NextStepsAfterLoss.com