SECU Trust Services has trust representatives available statewide to discuss a range of trust and estate planning topics, including the Corporate Trustee and Executor Services offered through Members Trust Company. For more information, contact your local branch or call (833) 599-7328 and ask to speak with a trust representative.
Everyone needs an estate plan
Establish your plan now to help protect you and your loved ones from the uncertainties of the future.
Important estate planning documents
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Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
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Marriage or re-marriage
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Divorce or separation
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A move to a new state or country
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Death of a family member
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Serious illness or injury
Services we offer
If you need estate planning guidance or services, SECU partners with Members Trust Company to make these fiduciary services available to members.
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Take control
Take control of what happens to your belongings, money, and property by making your wishes known and putting people you trust in charge of handling things for you.
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Plan ahead for incapacity
Estate planning allows you to choose who you would want to manage your financial and legal affairs, as well as make health care decisions for you if you become unable to make decisions and communicate for yourself.
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Make guardianship nominations
Who would you want to take care of your children if you were no longer here? Do you want a say in who that person might be? An estate plan allows you to name your desired guardian for minor children.
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Minimize family conflict
Reduce the chance of conflict or uncertainty by spelling out your wishes in advance. Naming an unbiased corporate trustee and / or executor can also help reduce potential family disagreements.
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Protect your loved ones
Whether you have children from a previous relationship, a loved one with special needs, or a beneficiary who may not act responsibly with inherited money, an estate plan lets you help ensure their needs are provided for according to your wishes.
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Express your desires for end-of-life care
Many of us have strong feelings about end-of-life care. An estate plan with a health care power of attorney and living will lets you make your wishes known in advance and helps to relieve some of the burden from your loved ones at what is often a very difficult time.
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Provide peace of mind
Estate planning provides peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved ones are provided for and your affairs are in order. You also have the flexibility to make changes as needed to reflect all of life's changes.
Frequently asked questions about Estate Planning
Estate planning is important for everyone. In addition to expressing your wishes for what happens to your assets after your death, an estate plan also allows you to appoint someone to make financial, legal, and medical decisions for you if you become unable to speak for yourself. For parents of young children, an estate plan also allows you to designate your children's guardian should you die when they are still minors. Otherwise, the person you would have chosen might not be the person the court appoints. We are here to help you get started with estate planning.
If you become incapacitated and do not have a Durable Power of Attorney or Health Care Power of Attorney, a court will likely appoint a guardian to act on your behalf, and it may not be the person you would have chosen. With guardianship proceedings, accountings of your finances must be filed with the court and become a matter of public record. Learn more about Durable Power of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives.
Many people don't realize if you pass away without a Will, your state of residence has a plan for you. If you are a resident of North Carolina and die without a Will, your property will pass under the laws of intestate succession in your state of residence, which may mean your assets don’t go to individuals (or family and friends) as you intend.
We recommend you work with a qualified estate planning attorney to make changes to your estate planning documents to ensure your documents remain legally valid and your wishes are honored.
Getting a plan in place now rather than "someday" is more important than you may think. Life happens. Planning now can help you and your loved ones answer difficult questions when emergencies arise.
