Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to ReadyGuide. By accessing or using our website (readyguide.org) and services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our services.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and ReadyGuide ("we," "us," or "our"). We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

Last Updated: November 1, 2025

2. Description of Service

ReadyGuide is a crisis documentation tool that helps families prepare for the first 72 hours after someone dies. We provide:

2.1 Free Template

• A downloadable PDF template covering essential crisis information
• No cost; provided in exchange for your email address (optional)
• No technical support or customization included

2.2 Custom Crisis Guide ($49 One-Time Payment)

• Customized PDF template based on your quiz answers (faith preference, business ownership, children, estate complexity)
• Lifetime edit access: Re-download and update your guide anytime at no additional cost
• Online filler tool (optional) to complete your guide digitally instead of by hand
• Access via time-limited magic links sent to your email (no passwords required)

2.3 What This Service IS NOT

3. User Eligibility

You must meet the following requirements to use ReadyGuide:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old
• Legal Capacity: You must have the legal authority to enter into binding contracts
• Accurate Information: You agree to provide accurate and current email address for order fulfillment
• Compliance: You agree to use the service in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations

By using ReadyGuide, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements.

4. Payment Terms

4.1 Pricing

• Custom Crisis Guide: $49 USD (one-time payment)
• Free Template: $0 (optional email capture)
• No Subscriptions: ReadyGuide does not charge recurring fees. Your $49 payment includes lifetime edit access at no additional cost.

4.2 Payment Processing

All payments are processed securely through Stripe, a PCI-compliant payment processor. We never see or store your full credit card information. By making a purchase, you also agree to Stripe's Terms of Service.

4.3 Taxes

Prices listed do not include sales tax, VAT, or other applicable taxes. You are responsible for any taxes required by your jurisdiction. We will collect and remit sales tax where legally required.

4.4 Promotional Codes & Discounts

We may offer promotional discounts or coupon codes from time to time. These are subject to terms and conditions specified at the time of the promotion. Promotional codes cannot be combined unless explicitly stated, and we reserve the right to revoke or modify promotions at any time.

5. Refund Policy

5.1 How to Request a Refund

• Contact us with "Refund Request" in the subject line
• Include your email address used for purchase
• We'll process refunds within 5-7 business days to your original payment method

5.2 Effect of Refund

Upon issuing a refund:

• Your lifetime edit access will be revoked (magic links will no longer work)
• You may keep the PDF you already downloaded, but will not receive updates or re-downloads
• Your email address and quiz answers will be retained for fraud prevention (you may request deletion separately under our Privacy Policy)

5.3 Exceptions

Refunds are not available for:

• Free template downloads (no payment made)
• Requests made more than 30 days after purchase date (unless required by law)
• Purchases made with 100% discount coupons (free promotional access)

6. Lifetime Edit Access

When you purchase a Custom Crisis Guide for $49, you receive lifetime edit access, which includes:

6.1 What's Included

• Unlimited Re-Downloads: Access your custom PDF template anytime by requesting a magic link
• Online Filler Tool: Use our web-based wizard to fill out your guide instead of editing the PDF manually
• Updates: If we improve the guide structure or add new sections, you can regenerate your custom PDF with the latest version
• Quiz Answer Changes: Contact us to update your quiz answers (e.g., if your situation changes) and regenerate your custom template

6.2 How Lifetime Access Works

To access your guide after purchase:

1. Visit readyguide.org/fill-guide or use the link in your confirmation email
2. Enter the email address you used for purchase
3. We'll verify your purchase in our Stripe records and send a magic link to your email
4. The magic link is valid for 2 hours and grants temporary access to download or edit your guide
5. Request a new magic link anytime you need access—there's no limit

6.3 "Lifetime" Definition

"Lifetime" means as long as ReadyGuide remains operational. While we intend to run this service indefinitely, we cannot guarantee perpetual availability. In the event ReadyGuide is discontinued:

• We will provide at least 90 days' advance notice via email
• You will have the opportunity to download and save your guide before service termination
• No refunds will be issued for discontinued service

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 Our Intellectual Property

All content on readyguide.org, including but not limited to:

• Guide structure, section headings, prompts, and organization
• Website design, copy, graphics, and logos
• Software code, online tools, and PDF generation logic
• The "ReadyGuide" name and branding

...is owned by ReadyGuide and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, sell, or create derivative works from our content without written permission.

7.2 Your License to Use

When you purchase a Custom Crisis Guide, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, personal license to:

• Download, print, and use your custom PDF for personal, non-commercial purposes
• Fill in the guide with your personal information and share it with your family members
• Make copies for your immediate family members or trusted advisors (e.g., executor, attorney)

7.3 Prohibited Uses

You may NOT:

• Resell, redistribute, or commercially exploit the guide or template
• Remove copyright notices or branding from the PDF (small "ReadyGuide" footer is required to remain)
• Claim authorship of the guide structure or present it as your own work
• Reverse-engineer our software or copy our online tool functionality
• Use the guide as part of a commercial service (e.g., financial advisors cannot bulk-purchase and resell)

7.4 User Content (Your Information)

You retain all rights to the personal information you enter into your Crisis Guide. We claim no ownership over your data. However, by using our service, you grant us permission to temporarily process your data solely for the purpose of generating your filled PDF (which is immediately discarded after delivery—see our Privacy Policy).

8. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree to use ReadyGuide only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree NOT to:

• Violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems, servers, or databases
• Use automated tools (bots, scrapers, etc.) to access our site without permission
• Upload malicious code, viruses, or harmful software through our online tools
• Impersonate ReadyGuide or falsely claim affiliation with us
• Use our service to spam, phish, or conduct fraudulent activities
• Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or extract source code from our software

Violation of this policy may result in immediate termination of your account and lifetime access, without refund.

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

9.1 No Legal, Financial, or Professional Advice

ReadyGuide is a documentation and organization tool, not a substitute for professional advice. We do NOT provide:

• Legal advice (consult a licensed attorney)
• Financial or investment advice (consult a financial advisor)
• Tax advice (consult a CPA or tax professional)
• Estate planning services (consult an estate planning attorney)
• Medical advice (consult healthcare professionals for advance directives)

The information in ReadyGuide is for general informational purposes only. Laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction. You are solely responsible for ensuring your guide complies with applicable laws and meets your specific needs.

9.2 "AS-IS" Service

ReadyGuide is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranties of accuracy, completeness, or reliability
• Warranties of uninterrupted or error-free service
• Warranties that our service will meet your specific requirements

We strive to provide a high-quality product, but we cannot guarantee that ReadyGuide will always be available, secure, or free from bugs or errors.

9.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

ReadyGuide and its owners, employees, contractors, and affiliates SHALL NOT BE LIABLE for any:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, data, or business opportunities
• Damages resulting from errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the guide content
• Damages from unauthorized access to your device or data (see Privacy Policy)
• Legal or financial consequences of relying on the guide without professional advice

In no event shall our total liability to you for all damages, losses, and causes of action exceed the amount you paid for the service (i.e., $49 for Custom Guide purchasers, $0 for free template users).

9.4 User Responsibility

You acknowledge and agree that:

• You are solely responsible for the accuracy and completeness of information you enter into your guide
• You should verify all information with professionals before making legal or financial decisions
• ReadyGuide is not liable if your guide is incomplete, outdated, or does not meet your family's needs
• You are responsible for securely storing and sharing your guide with trusted individuals

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless ReadyGuide, its owners, employees, contractors, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from:

• Your use or misuse of ReadyGuide
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights (e.g., privacy, intellectual property)
• Any content you upload or submit through our services
• Reliance on the guide without obtaining professional advice

11. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is critically important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

Key Privacy Highlights:

• Your filled guide data never leaves your device. We do NOT store sensitive information (bank accounts, SSN, passwords, etc.)
• We collect only essential data: email address, quiz answers, and payment confirmation
• Custom PDFs are stored temporarily (24 hours) for delivery, then permanently deleted
• We use third-party services (Stripe, Resend, Vercel) with strong privacy practices

By using ReadyGuide, you consent to the data practices described in our Privacy Policy. Please read it carefully.

12. Modifications to Service

We reserve the right to:

• Modify, update, or improve ReadyGuide at any time without notice
• Add or remove features (we'll notify you of major changes via email)
• Temporarily suspend the service for maintenance or upgrades
• Discontinue ReadyGuide entirely (with 90 days' advance notice)

If we make significant changes that materially reduce the value of your purchase, we will offer you the option to download and save your guide in its current form.

13. Termination

13.1 Your Right to Terminate

You may stop using ReadyGuide at any time. If you wish to request deletion of your data, see our Privacy Policy for instructions. Note that deleting your account will void lifetime edit access.

13.2 Our Right to Terminate

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to ReadyGuide at any time, with or without notice, if:

• You violate these Terms or our Acceptable Use Policy
• You engage in fraudulent activity or chargebacks without valid reason
• Your use of the service poses a security or legal risk to us or other users
• We are required to do so by law

Termination for cause will result in forfeiture of lifetime access without refund.

13.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your access to magic links and the online tool will cease
• You may keep any PDFs you already downloaded prior to termination
• All provisions of these Terms that should survive termination (e.g., intellectual property, disclaimers, indemnification) will remain in effect

14. Dispute Resolution

14.1 Informal Resolution

If you have a dispute with ReadyGuide, please contact us first so we can attempt to resolve it informally. Most disputes can be resolved quickly and amicably through direct communication.

14.2 Binding Arbitration

If we cannot resolve a dispute informally within 60 days, you agree that any claim or dispute arising from these Terms or your use of ReadyGuide will be resolved through binding arbitration, rather than in court, except that you may assert claims in small claims court if your claims qualify.

• Arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules
• Arbitration will take place in Texas
• Each party will bear their own costs and attorney fees unless awarded by the arbitrator
• The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding, with very limited rights to appeal

14.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree to bring claims against ReadyGuide only in your individual capacity, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding. Class arbitrations, class actions, and representative actions are NOT permitted under these Terms.

15. Governing Law

These Terms and your use of ReadyGuide shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal action not subject to arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Texas.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court or arbitrator, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and ReadyGuide regarding the use of our services. They supersede any prior agreements, communications, or understandings (written or oral).

18. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Notify you via email if the changes materially affect your rights or obligations
• Provide a reasonable period (typically 30 days) to review changes before they take effect

Your continued use of ReadyGuide after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the new Terms, you must stop using our services (and may request a refund within 30 days if you're a paying customer).

19. Contact Information

Questions, concerns, or feedback about these Terms? We're here to help: