Butterscotch
A modern probate platform for American families — using AI and emotional intelligence to simplify one of life's most difficult processes.
The Problem
Probate in the US is complex, costly, and emotionally loaded. Most tools treat it as a purely legal process, ignoring the human reality of families navigating grief alongside paperwork. Butterscotch set out to build something different — not just a process tool, but a guide that uses AI to bring emotional intelligence to each step, supporting families when they need it most.
"Concept to alpha in eight weeks is only possible with clear direction and a team communicating at a high level."
Catherine Nieves, Founder
The Result
A working alpha delivered in eight weeks, using AI tooling to accelerate delivery and sharpen the developer handover.
- x3 faster
- Delivery speed using AI through the delivery
- 8 weeks
- Concept to proof of concept
- 6-person TEAM
- Small team, great pace
- 3 warm leads
- Potential investors identified
Overview
The Role & Impact
Sole designer in a senior team of six, working directly with the CEO from day one. Shaped product direction, brand identity, tone of voice, and the full user experience. To move fast without cutting corners, we focused the alpha on a single state — California. One market, tighter scope, faster learning. I advocated for AI to be embedded across the process, which accelerated experimentation, internal communication, and handover to engineering.