Estate Planning

Achieve peace of mind: Plan for your family & assets with wills and trusts from NW Plus CU

NW Plus Credit Union helps you achieve your goals at every stage of your financial journey. That’s why we’ve partnered with Legal Karma to provide access to affordable and simple estate planning you can complete at your own pace, from wherever you might be. You can create wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and more.

There's never been an easier, more affordable way to protect your family, home, and assets.

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Creating Your Simple Estate Plan is Easy

  1. Register your email address with Legal Karma in our estate planning portal
  2. Complete a short quiz to help you pick the plan that fits your needs
  3. Purchase you plan package
  4. Fill out your guided plan questionnaire at your own pace. See the info you'll need on the Will Checklist or the Trust Checklist
  5. Questions? Call the Legal Karma member support team at 425.689.1808 or log into your Estate Planning account for live chat. Available 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday.
  6. Once you submit your questionnaire, your answers will be used to complete your estate plan which will be ready to download within 3 – 5 business days.

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Estate Planning Packages from NW Plus CU

Will Package

Single $249 | Joint $299

Will, Financial Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, HIPAA Authorization, Living Will/Advanced Directive for Physicians, Declaration of Appointment of Guardian, Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains

Revocable Living Trust Package

Single $599 | Joint $749

Revocable Trust, Pour-over Will, Certificate of Trust, Financial Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, HIPAA Authorization, Living Will/Advanced Directive for Physicians, Declaration of Appointment of Guardian, Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains

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We are here to help

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Legal Karma member support

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Contact the Legal Karma member support team: 425.689.1808, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday.

Or schedule a free call with them here

Live chat support

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Login to your wills and trusts account to access live chat support 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday.

Planning Checklists

The plan before the plan: Use these handy checklists so your estate planning is smooth and simple. 

Checklist for a Will

Checklist for a Trust 

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Products

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Will

This document defines how your estate will be distributed (who inherits what) and appoints the person who will handle your final affairs as your Executor (sometimes referred to as your “Personal Representative”). When you create a will, you can also nominate guardians for your children, dependents, or pets.

Will Getting Started Checklist

Financial power of attorney

This document allows your named agent(s) the authority to make financial, property, and investment decisions in the event you become incapacitated.

Medical power of attorney

This document gives your named agent(s) the authority to make health care decisions in accordance with your wishes in the event you are unable to make decisions for yourself. 

HIPAA authorization

This document gives authorization for your physician or medical entity to disclose your health information to your designated representative.

Living will / advanced directive for physicians

This document communicates your decisions about end-of-life care.

Declaration of appointment of guardian

This document designates the person(s) you would like to serve as your guardian in the event you need a guardian to manage your affairs during your lifetime.

Appointment of agent to control disposition of remains

This document appoints your agent to control and make decisions regarding your bodily remains.

Revocable trust

This document names who will continue on as successor trustee of your estate when you are no longer able and provides guidance and direction for how and to whom your assets and personal property will be held or distributed.

Trust Getting Started Checklist

Pour-over will

This document works in conjunction with a revocable trust. “Pour-over” provides that any assets not arranged for with the trust are to be moved into the trust for the purposes of managing your estate.

Certificate of trust

This document is a summary of the provisions in your trust to provide to financial institutions (banking, brokerage/investment, etc.), title companies, etc. when moving assets in or out of your trust or when naming your trust as a beneficiary on an account.

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Frequently asked questions

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How does the process work?  

  1. Log into your online banking account and go to the Estate Planning tab.
  2. Select a product and answer the guided questionnaire
  3. If you have any questions call Legal Karma member support at 425.689.1808 or schedule a meeting here.
  4. Complete your order through our secure payment portal.
  5. Once you submit, sit tight! Your documents will be ready in 3-5 business days.
    1. Real humans review each submission for completeness.
    2. We'll reach out if we have questions.
  6. You'll receive your documents via email with an invitation to schedule a review call with our staff.

 

Have questions? Call us right now – 425.689.1808

Or book a meeting with your Legal Karma member support team

What information do I need to gather for a Will?

Download or print a PDF of the Will Checklist here, but to fill in your Will you will need:

Basic Information

  •  Full legal names and initials
  • Current address and relationship status (if applicable)
  • Phone numbers and email addresses
  • Dates of birth

Information for Family and Loved Ones

  • Names and details of any children (together or from prior relationships)
  • Guardian preferences for children, if any
  • Pet information if you want to make care arrangements

What are Your Healthcare Wishes?

  • Preferences for end- of- life care, pain management, and organ donation
  • Notes or special instructions for your healthcare team

Who are your Healthcare Decision Makers?

  • Primary and backup healthcare agent name and contact information
  • Any additional individuals who should or should not have access to your medical information

Who are Your Financial and Estate Decision Makers?

  • Name(s) of the person(s) you trust to manage your finances and care
  • Estate manager(s) and any backups or co-managers
  • Contact info for each, if available
  • Names of anyone you want to exclude

How do You Want to Distribute Your Assets?

  • Specific gifts (cash, property, or sentimental items)
  • Names of people who should inherit what remains
  • Backup plans if a beneficiary is no longer living

Final Arrangements

  • Anyone you wish to exclude from your estate
  • Last-resort beneficiaries in case others cannot inherit

What information do I need to gather for a Trust?

Download or print a PDF of the Trust Checklist here, but to fill in your Trust plan paperwork you will need:

Basic Information

  • Full legal names and initials
  • Current address and relationship status (it applicable)
  • Phone numbers and email addresses
  • Dates of birth

Family and Loved Ones

  • Names and details of any children (together or from prior relationships)
  • Guardian preferences for children, it any
  • Pet information it you want to make care arrangements

Healthcare Wishes

  • Preferences for end-of-life care, pain management, and organ donation
  • Notes or special instructions for your healthcare team

Healthcare Decision Makers

  • Primary and backup healthcare agent name and contact information
  • Any additional individuals who should or should not have access to your medical information

Financial and Estate Decision Makers

  • Name(s) of the person(s) you trust to manage your finances and care
  • Estate manager(s) and any backups or co-managers
  • Contact info for each, if available
  • Names of anyone you want to exclude

Managing Your Trust

  • Name of the trust
  • Successor trustee(s) and backup trustee(s)
  • Instructions on how successor trustees should act (e.g., jointly or separately)

Distributing Your Assets

  • Specific gifts (cash, property, or sentimental items)
  • Names of people who should inherit what remains
  • Backup plans if a beneficiary is no longer living

Final Arrangements

  •  Anyone you wish to exclude from your estate
  • Last-resort beneficiaries in case others cannot inherit

Why are you offering this to members?

At NW Plus CU, we value the connections we build with each member, and are focused on what's important to you. A recent study showed that 68% of Americans lack valid estate planning documents due to the perception that the process is complex and expensive. Our goal is to empower you through access to information, education, and support to give you an opportunity to create a comprehensive and reliable will or trust package.

What is estate planning?

Estate planning is the process of preparing for and creating legal documents that provide the opportunity to name and authorize trusted loved ones to act or transaction on your behalf (make financial and medical decisions) when you are unable. A typical estate plan also provides the opportunity to create a legacy plan for the distribution of your asset when you pass.

Who needs estate planning?

Every adult may benefit from some form of estate planning. Having a plan in place provides the comfort and confidence of knowing if the unexpected happens, your trusted loved ones will know your wishes and intentions and be empowered to carry them out.

Who are these product templates designed for?

The provided templates are designed for those with straightforward estate planning goals. If you have complex financial situations, family structures, or unique needs it’s always best to confer with licensed to professional to determine the type estate plan that best meets particular circumstances.

Is this legal?

Yes! The state specific, reliable document templates are created by attorneys. Once you have entered your responses and submitted the questionnaire, your documents will be prepared and emailed to you to print, sign, and notarize.

What documents are included in an estate plan through this solution?

The available estate plan document tools include a Last Will and Testament or Revocable Trust, General Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, Advance Directive/Living Will, HIPAA Authorization, Declaration of Appointment of Guardian, and Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains. The product options are presented in comprehensive packages to ensure the estate plan you choose is complete.

What is the difference between a Last Will and Testament and a Revocable Trust?

In the most general terms, the difference is a Will details who gets what and a trust provides who gets what and how. The difference is the amount of control desired in ordered to fulfill your wishes and intentions.

What is probate?

Probate is the legal process of administering your estate after you pass. This court process involves identifying and valuing your assets, paying any outstanding debts, and distributing the remaining assets to the heirs. Probate primarily applies to individuals who only have wills in place (or nothing at all).

Can I avoid probate?

Yes. Building an estate plan around a trust can help avoid the need for probate and can make the process easier.
 

What is “funding” a Revocable Trust?

Once you have created a trust, during your lifetime, you serve as the trustee of your own trust, retaining control over the assets titled into your trust. After creating the trust the important next step is commonly referred to as “funding” the Trust. This involves transferring or re-title of your assets from your name into the name of the Trust. To do this, contact the respective financial institutions, title companies, etc. and complete the necessary paperwork provided by the entity. They may ask for a copy of your trust certificate (included in the comprehensive trust package).

Can I transfer my home to the trust?

Whether you own real property outright or have a mortgage, you have the option to transfer or title the property into the name of the trust so it can be held, sold, distributed or managed through the trust.

What is the difference between a Revocable Trust and an Irrevocable Trust?

A Revocable Trust can be changed or revoked by the person who created it while an irrevocable trust typically cannot be changed or revoked, except in very limited circumstances with court permission and the approval of all beneficiaries.

Do I need an estate plan if I don't have many assets?

Everyone can benefit from having an estate plan, regardless of the size of their estate. An estate plan has benefits that are more than just the value of an estate. Yes, an estate plan can ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Additionally, other document in a comprehensive estate plan allow you to name trusted loved ones to assist with making with financial and medical decisions during your lifetime if you need their help.

Can I make changes to my estate plan?

Yes, you can make changes to your estate plan at any time.

After I download my forms, what are the next steps?

Your estate plan will be emailed to you directly. Along with the documents, you’ll receive written instructions for signing and notarizing the documents in your package. Once the documents are signed and notarized, make copies to share as needed and store the originals in a safe location (a safe deposit box or secure location at home).

Should I inform others that I have created an estate plan?

Letting your loved ones know you have created a plan, and where to find the documents if they need to act on your behalf, can eliminate confusion and further disruption in trying times. However, it is entirely up to you if, whether, or how, your share your information.

Is my information secure?

Yes. Your information is stored and protected with the highest levels of protection. We are serious about security and will never share or sell your personal information.

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Neither NW Plus CU nor Legal Karma are law firms nor are they attorneys. Neither NW Plus CU nor Legal Karma are a substitute for an attorney nor law firm. Neither organization provides legal advice nor legal services. Any information provided is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. The use of the Wills and Trusts Site and Applications are not intended to create any attorney-client relationship and your use of the Site and/or Applications does not and will not create an attorney-client relationship.

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