Estate Planning Resources You May Already Have Access To
- Lakisha Chichester
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Every time a public figure dies without a will or with an outdated estate plan, we are reminded how important these documents are.
What gets discussed less often is that many people already have access to affordable estate planning services through their employer, credit union, or community programs.
If cost has been one of the reasons you have put it off, these North Carolina resources may be a good place to start.
Credit Union Programs
State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU)
If you’re a member of State Employees’ Credit Union, the Estate Planning Essentials Program provides access to participating attorneys who prepare core estate planning documents at a fixed fee.
The program currently includes:
Will
Durable Power of Attorney
Health Care Power of Attorney
Living Will
HIPAA Authorization
Current published pricing:
$375 for an individual
$500 for a married couple with substantially similar estate plans
Coastal Credit Union
Coastal Credit Union members receive a 20% discount on online estate plans through Trust & Will. The service allows members to create estate-planning documents online, with state-specific instructions for properly signing them.
The program currently includes:
Wills
Trusts
Guardianship designations for children or pets
Instructions for distributing assets and documenting final wishes
State-specific signing instructions
Love My Credit Union Rewards
Many credit union members may be eligible for discounted estate planning through the Love My Credit Union Rewards program. Participating members receive savings on estate plans through Trust & Will, making it another affordable option for preparing important estate planning documents. Participating credit union members currently receive 20% off Trust & Will estate plans.
The program currently includes:
Wills
Trusts
Guardianship designations
Advance directives
State-specific estate planning documents
Employee Legal Plan Benefit
MetLife Legal Plans
Many employers offer MetLife Legal Plans as part of their employee benefits package. If your employer participates, the plan may cover estate planning services through a network attorney or provide online estate planning tools.
The program may include:
Wills
Revocable living trusts
Durable powers of attorney
Health care powers of attorney
Living wills
Estate planning consultations
LegalEASE
LegalEASE is another employee legal benefit offered by many employers. Depending on your employer’s plan, employees may receive access to attorneys who prepare estate planning documents at little or no additional cost beyond the plan premium.
The program may include:
Wills
Trusts
Durable powers of attorney
Health care powers of attorney
Living wills
Attorney consultations
ARAG Legal Insurance
ARAG Legal Insurance is an employee-sponsored legal plan offered by many employers. Members can access a network of attorneys for a variety of legal services, including estate planning.
The program may include:
Wills
Revocable living trusts
Durable powers of attorney
Health care powers of attorney
Living wills
Estate planning guidance
Free and Reduced-Cost Estate Planning Resources
Wills for Heroes
The North Carolina Bar Foundation's Wills for Heroes program provides free estate planning documents for eligible first responders and their spouses through volunteer attorneys.
The program currently includes:
Simple wills
Durable powers of attorney
Health care powers of attorney
Advance directives
Who may qualify:
Law enforcement officers
Firefighters
EMS personnel
Eligible spouses
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free civil legal services to qualifying individuals. Estate planning assistance may be available through Legal Aid or the Senior Law Project for eligible North Carolinians.
Services may include:
Simple wills
Powers of attorney
Advance directives
Estate planning education
Hospice Resources
If you or a loved one is receiving hospice care, ask the hospice social worker whether legal planning resources are available. Some hospice organizations partner with attorneys or can refer families to community organizations that assist with estate planning documents.
Resources may include:
Attorney referrals
Estate planning information
Community legal resources
Advance care planning assistance
Start With the Resources You Already Have
If you do not know where to start, check whether estate planning assistance is already available through:
Your employer
Your credit union
A professional association
A military or veterans organization
Your Employee Assistance Program
You may already have access to legal services, discounted document preparation, or an attorney referral through a benefit you are already eligible to use.
A Final Thought
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. It’s for anyone who wants to make things a little easier for the people they love.
If you have been putting it off because you thought it would be too expensive or didn’t know where to start, I hope these resources give you a place to begin.
Need help with a more complicated estate planning or probate matter? We can connect you with an experienced North Carolina attorney.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Programs, pricing, and eligibility requirements may change. Please verify current information directly with each organization.
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