We recommend you work with a qualified estate planning attorney to make changes to your estate planning documents. It is not advisable to make changes on your own, including any hand-written notes.
Prepare for life’s unknowns
Our Estate Planning Essentials (EPE) Program covers the needs of many members whose situation can be addressed in a single appointment with an attorney at a local branch.
Estate Planning Essentials pricing
Whether you're planning as an individual or as a married couple, we're here for you.
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Will (that may include trust provisions)
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Durable Power of Attorney
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Health Care Power of Attorney
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Living Will
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HIPAA Authorization
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Will (that may include trust provisions)
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Durable Power of Attorney
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Health Care Power of Attorney
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Living Will
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HIPAA Authorization
*Married couples with substantially similar plans, completed at the same time.
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Schedule a meeting with an SECU trust representative
Set up an initial meeting with your local trust representative to discuss your goals and understand what to consider before meeting with a participating attorney.2
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Complete questionnaire and gather documentation
The attorney will send you a questionnaire to obtain information about your assets and goals. Complete this exercise one week prior to the scheduled appointment so the attorney may begin drafting documents.
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Execute your estate planning documents with the attorney
Meet the participating attorney at a local branch to review the information in the questionnaire and finalize your estate planning documents.
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Receive estate planning documents
After your executed documents are notarized, pay the attorney directly. You now have an estate plan in place.
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Unique beneficiary needs or family dynamics
We can help members with unique beneficiary needs, such as members with blended families, beneficiaries with special needs, and / or beneficiaries who may not be ready for the responsibility of inherited money, by providing names of local estate planning attorneys.3
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Distinct asset goals and situations
We can help members whose estate planning may involve more complex issues, such as out-of-state real estate, business interests, or potential estate tax concerns, by providing names of local attorneys or tax professionals who can advise on these matters.3
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Differing scopes of responsibility
We can help spouses without similar plans and those who have concerns about a surviving spouse’s desire or ability to manage finances in the future by providing names of local estate planning attorneys.3 If there are current capacity concerns, we can discuss whether there may be a need for professional assistance with paying bills or managing property.
Frequently asked questions about Estate Planning Essentials
Estate planning is important for everyone. In addition to expressing your wishes for what happens to your assets after your lifetime, an estate plan also allows you to appoint someone to make financial, legal, and medical decisions for you if you become incompetent or 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.
The EPE program covers the most essential documents everyone needs: a Will (may include trust provisions), Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Will, and HIPAA Authorization, which provides your health care agent access to your medical records to make informed decisions on your behalf.
SECU partners with Members Trust Company to offer comprehensive Trust and Fiduciary Services, including Corporate Trustee Services, Estate Settlement Services, the FlexIRA™, and more.
Attorneys participating in the Estate Planning Essentials Program are not employees or agents of the Credit Union (SECU, LGFCU, or NCPAFCU), Members Trust Company, or any affiliated entity. SECU trust representatives are not employees or agents of the participating attorneys. The Credit Union and Members Trust Company are not responsible for the services provided by these independent professionals.
