Life moves fast. Between work, family, and planning for the future, estate planning can feel like something you’ll get to later. But if something unexpected happened, would your loved ones know what you’d want?
Would they know:
- Who should care for your children?
- How to manage your finances?
- What healthcare decisions you’d want?
Estate planning helps answer these questions ahead of time. It’s one more way to care for the people in your life and bring a little more clarity to the future.
Through the Love My Credit Union Rewards program, Golden 1 members can access Trust & Will, an online platform that makes estate planning more simple and approachable. Plus, members get an exclusive savings of 20% on any estate plan.
What is estate planning and why does it matter?
Estate planning is the process of putting legal documents in place that outline your wishes for your finances, healthcare, and loved ones.
A plan may include:
- A will
- A trust
- Power of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Guardianship designations for minor children
These documents help make sure your wishes are clear and give your loved ones guidance when they may need it most.
How can estate planning help me?
With estate planning, you can:
- Feel confident that your wishes are documented
- Make decisions easier for your loved ones
- Protect what you’ve worked hard to build
It’s not just about planning ahead. It’s about supporting the people who matter to you.
What happens if you don’t have an estate plan?
Many people don’t have a plan in place. It’s more common than you might think. Without one, however, your loved ones may need to make important decisions without clear guidance. That can add stress during an already emotional time.
Creating a plan now helps:
- Reduce uncertainty
- Provide clear direction
- Give your family clarity
It’s a simple step that can make a meaningful difference later.
When should you create an estate plan?
There’s no perfect time to start, but certain life moments can make estate planning especially helpful.
You may want to consider a plan if you:
- Welcomed a child
You can name a guardian and help ensure your child is cared for the way you intend. - Bought a home
Your plan can help guide how one of your biggest investments is handled. - Just married
You may want to make sure your partner is protected and your wishes are clear. - Are caring for aging parents/relatives
Estate documents can help clarify who can make healthcare or financial decisions. - Are planning for retirement
You’ve worked hard to build your savings. A plan helps protect that effort.
If any of these sound familiar, it may be a good time to take a closer look.
Estate planning examples: how it helps in real life
Estate planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can support you in ways that match your life today.
- A growing family
After welcoming a new child, a family creates a plan to name a guardian and document their wishes. It gives them comfort knowing their child would be cared for should anything happen to them. - A first-time homeowner
A member who just bought a home wants to make sure it’s passed on according to their wishes, not left up to chance. - Supporting an aging parent
A family works together to clarify who can make healthcare decisions, helping avoid confusion during an emergency. - Preparing for retirement
A member nearing retirement reviews their plans and adds estate documents to help protect what they’ve built over time.
No matter your situation, having a plan can help you feel more prepared and supported.
Take the first step toward protecting what matters most
You work hard to support your family, build your future, and plan for what’s ahead. Estate planning is one more way to take care of those things. If it’s been on your mind, you’re not alone. Getting started may be easier than you think.
With Trust & Will, you can:
- Put your wishes in writing
- Help protect the people you care about
- Take a meaningful step toward your future
Ready to get started? Explore Trust & Will and see how simple estate planning can be.
