Digital estate planning at your fingertips
Getting our affairs in order is something we all know is important, but the reality is many of us put it off or feel it could be too costly to do now.
At Ideal Credit Union, we understand the importance of ensuring your legacy is honored according to your wishes. We are pleased to introduce an online tool designed to be affordable and help individuals, as well as their families, prepare for the later chapters of life.
Through a relationship that our trusted partner TruStage™ has with One Digital Trust (ODT), a leading provider of online estate planning solutions, Ideal Credit Union is now able to provide members with access to this digital estate planning tool to create legally valid documents designed and approved by estate planning attorneys.
Goes beyond simply creating your basic will
- Creates important estate planning documents like your last will & testament, power of attorney or a living will, including trust, guardianship for minor children, and directives for your pets
- Automatically catalogs assets, debts, and important documents in a secure and customized digital vault that can be accessed ad updated as long as your subscription is active
- Provides a dynamic view into your overall financial standing, including the ability to record and track any inheritance allocated to your loved ones
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What is an estate plan?
An estate plan is a set of legal documents which outline how your assets will be managed if you become incapacitated (i.e., unable to manage your own assets after an illness or injury) or pass away. Most estate plans consist of a will, or a trust, plus a durable power of attorney for finances, a healthcare power of attorney, final wishes and a guardianship designation if you have minor children. Other aspects of an estate plan may also include things like making your wishes known about your funeral and adding a life insurance policy.
Why is estate planning important?
If you pass or become incapacitated without an estate plan in place, your belongings will be administered and distributed according to the laws of the state you live in. This could mean that the distribution of your assets may not align with your wishes. This may place added emotional and financial burdens on your surviving loved ones.
I don't believe I have an
Some people may feel that estate planning is something that only applies to the wealthy or if there are large properties or expensive assets in involved. The reality is that everyone can benefit from having an estate plan. No matter the size of your estate, if you don’t have an estate plan, the decisions around how your assets are distributed are determined by the state in which you reside.
What if I have a complex estate, is this self-serve digital solution right for me?
If you have complex or large assets and holdings, seeking help from an estate attorney is a wise path to take in creating your estate plan. However, for Americans who have a fairly straightforward asset structure, a self-serve solution like ODT’s could typically meet their estate planning needs.
Do you have to be tech savvy to use this tool?
You don’t have to be tech savvy to use the estate planning platform. It is designed to be intuitive with a guided navigation experience that walks you through a step-by-step process. There are plenty of helpful tips and videos included along the way, as well as an email help line to answer any technical questions that come up.
What if I don’t need the tool after I create my estate documents – do I have to renew or can I cancel my subscription?
Within the first year of purchase, many customers create their basic estate planning documents such as a living will. The advantage of keeping the subscription beyond that first year is the ability to update your estate plan to accurately accommodate for the life changes and milestones you and your family may experience. However, if you feel that you got everything you need from the first year (ex. created a living will) and do not see additional value in renewing, you can elect to cancel your subscription prior to the renewal period.